Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding an oxygen-containing gas phase to a single continuous flow reactor containing a reaction mixture, and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture to form a poly(phenylene ether) in the single reactor. The reaction mixture includes a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent. A poly(phenylene ether) made by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether) are also disclosed. Methods for quantifying phenol concentration and poly(phenylene ether) molecular weight in the reaction mixture are also discussed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding air to a continuous flow reactor that contains a reaction mixture including a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent; and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture at a specified temperature and pressure to form a poly(phenylene ether). The reaction mixture has a residence time in the continuous flow reactor of less than or equal to 30 minutes. Poly(phenylene ether)s prepared by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether)s are also described.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding an oxygen-containing gas phase to a single continuous flow reactor containing a reaction mixture, and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture to form a poly(phenylene ether) in the single reactor. The reaction mixture includes a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent. A poly(phenylene ether) made by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether) are also disclosed. Methods for quantifying phenol concentration and poly(phenylene ether) molecular weight in the reaction mixture are also discussed.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of manufacture of a melt polycarbonate comprises melt polymerizing a bisphenol and diphenyl carbonate to form phenol and the melt polycarbonate in a polymerization unit; removing an overhead stream comprising the phenol in a gas phase from the polymerization unit; combining the overhead stream with a gas stream comprising a solvent in a gas phase to form a combined gas stream; wherein the combined gas stream has a freezing point at less than 3 mbar absolute that is less than the triple point of phenol; and condensing the combined gas stream in a condenser to form a condensed stream comprising the phenol and the solvent in a liquid phase.

Abstract: A method for preparing a poly(phenylene ether) includes feeding air to a continuous flow reactor that contains a reaction mixture including a phenol, a transition metal catalyst, and an organic solvent; and oxidatively polymerizing the reaction mixture at a specified temperature and pressure to form a poly(phenylene ether). The reaction mixture has a residence time in the continuous flow reactor of less than or equal to 30 minutes. Poly(phenylene ether)s prepared by the method and articles including the poly(phenylene ether)s are also described.

Abstract: A method of producing a diaryl carbonate, comprising: performing both a transesterification reaction and a disproportionation reaction within a reactive distillation column by introducing a feed stream comprising a dialkyl carbonate to the reactive distillation column at a point above a reboiler, and introducing an aromatic hydroxyl compound to the reactive distillation column; producing a diaryl carbonate, within the reactive distillation column; and withdrawing a bottom product stream comprising the diaryl carbonate from the reactive distillation column, preferably the diaryl carbonate has a purity of greater than or equal to 99.97 wt %.

Abstract: A continuous method for the manufacture of a 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine comprising continuously heating an anhydride with a phenol in the presence of a catalyst and a first co-catalyst, to form a first reaction mixture comprising a phenolphthalein compound; precipitating the phenolphthalein compound; combining a primary arylamine with an acid catalyst and a second co-catalyst to form a second reaction mixture; adding the phenolphthalein compound to the second reaction mixture; continuously heating the second reaction mixture to provide a third reaction mixture comprising a crude phthalimidine; and treating the crude phthalimidine to remove aminophenol and purify the phthalimidine is provided.

Abstract: A continuous method for the manufacture of a 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine comprising continuously heating an anhydride with a phenol in the presence of a catalyst and a first co-catalyst, to form a first reaction mixture comprising a phenolphthalein compound; precipitating the phenolphthalein compound; combining a primary arylamine with an acid catalyst and a second co-catalyst to form a second reaction mixture; adding the phenolphthalein compound to the second reaction mixture; continuously heating the second reaction mixture to provide a third reaction mixture comprising a crude phthalimidine; and treating the crude phthalimidine to remove aminophenol and purify the phthalimidine is provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods and apparatus for synthesizing various biphenols. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a bisphenol including feeding a phenol at or proximate to the first end of a reactor column including a first end and a second end and including a solid catalyst distributed in multiple locations between the first end and the second end of the reactor column. The method includes feeding an oxomethylene compound to the reactor column at a first location that is at or proximate the first end and at one or more additional locations between the first location and the second end of the reactor column, and removing at least some water from the reactor column. The method includes removing a product composition including a diphenolmethylene product at or proximate to the second end of the reactor column.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed relate to methods and apparatus for synthesizing various biphenols. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of making a bisphenol including feeding a phenol at or proximate to the first end of a reactor column including a first end and a second end and including a solid catalyst distributed in multiple locations between the first end and the second end of the reactor column. The method includes feeding an oxomethylene compound to the reactor column at a first location that is at or proximate the first end and at one or more additional locations between the first location and the second end of the reactor column, and removing at least some water from the reactor column. The method includes removing a product composition including a diphenolmethylene product at or proximate to the second end of the reactor column.