Abstract: A method for producing an aromatic bisimide includes reacting a dialkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound with a reactive substituted phthalimide under conditions effective to form a product mixture, introducing the product mixture to a liquid-liquid extraction column including an aqueous alkali metal hydroxide solution, and recovering from the liquid-liquid extraction column a purified aromatic bisimide having less than 500 ppm of residual dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, the corresponding dihydroxy aromatic compound, the corresponding mono-substituted salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing. A method for the manufacture of a polyetherimide from an aromatic bisimide prepared by the above method is also disclosed. A polyetherimide having less than 100 ppb of residual bisphenol A and an article made therefrom are also described.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) is free of methoxy groups.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the manufacture of a bis(phthalimide), and polyetherimides derived therefrom, by reacting a phthalic anhydride having the formula with an organic diamine having the formula H2N—R—NH2, in a solvent, at a temperature from 140° C. to 220° C., and a pressure from 0 psig to 100 psig, in the presence or absence of a phase transfer catalyst, to form a bis(phthalimide) having the formula wherein a polyetherimide polymer is added either before or after the imidization reaction, to produce a bis(phthalimide) composition having a percent solids content of 18% to 30%, which bis(phthalimide) composition has a viscosity of less than 4000 cP at a shear rate of less than 30 sec?1 and temperaturefrom 140° C. to 180° C. as measured in a spindle viscometer.

Abstract: A method of making a polyetherimide comprising: reacting an aromatic bis(ether anhydride) with an aromatic diamine in a solvent to form a first solid/liquid mixture having a first solids content within 5% of a first target solids content; cooling the first solid/liquid mixture to a temperature within 5% of a target temperature; separating a portion of the liquid component from the cooled first solid/liquid mixture to form a second solid/liquid mixture having a second solids content within 10% of a second target solids content; and melt polymerizing the second solid/liquid mixture to form the polyetherimide.

Abstract: A polyetherimide composition includes a polyetherimide and two or more of a residual metal content, a sulfate anion, a phosphate anion, a nitrite anion, a nitrate anion, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, a residual solvent content, a phosphorus-containing stabilizer, and alkali metal halide, alkaline earth metal halide, alkali metal carbonate, or a combination including at least one of the foregoing, wherein each of the aforementioned components, when present, is included in the composition in a particular amount. The resulting polyetherimide composition exhibits two or more useful properties. The polyetherimide composition can optionally further be combined with a polymer different from the polyetherimide to provide a thermoplastic composition. Methods of making the polyetherimide composition and articles including the polyetherimide composition are also described.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization.

Abstract: A polyetherimide of improved color and processes for preparing the polyetherimide are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a bis(phthalimide) composition includes reacting, in the presence of molten diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, a substituted phthalic anhydride with an organic diamine. The product mixture can be directly employed in the preparation of polyetherimides and other polyether polymers.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and polymerizing the bis(phthalimide) and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the poly merization.

Abstract: Methods to grow, provide and plant a young tree using a novel removable tubular container are disclosed. The container promotes the growth of a well formed protected root structure that minimizes transplant shock at the time the young tree is moved and permanently planted. The removable container and methods described provide for a fast growing inexpensive tree that is easily planted by a single person.

Abstract: A composition is described, which comprises a crystallizable polyetherimide derived from the polymerization of: (a) a dianhydride component, comprising more than 96.8 mole % of 4,4?-bisphenol A dianhydride or a chemical equivalent thereof; and (b) a diamine component comprising a diamine or a chemical equivalent thereof, wherein the crystallizable polyetherimide has a Tm ranging from 250° C. to 400° C. and the difference between the Tm and Tg of the composition is more than 50° C. Further described are articles, such as fibers, made from the composition, methods for making the composition, methods for making the articles, and methods for using the articles.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions of formula (1) are described wherein the polyetherimide compositions comprise a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of more than 0 and less than 5 mole percent, based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight greater than or equal to 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less than 43,000 Daltons. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes catalyzing the reaction of a dianhydride and an organic diamine with a catalyst selected from guanadinium salts, pyridinium salts, imidazolium salts, tetra(C6-24)aryl ammonium salts, tetra(C7-24 arylalkylene) ammonium salts, dialkyl heterocycloaliphatic ammonium salts, bis-alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, (C7-24arylalkylene)(C1-16alkyl) phosphonium salts, (C6-24aryl)(C1-16alkyl)phosphonium salts, phosphazenium salts and combinations thereof, optionally in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) is free of methoxy groups.

Abstract: A poly(aryl ether sulfone) comprises units of formula (I): wherein Ar1 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar2 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, Ar3 is a divalent C6-C15 aromatic group, and n is greater than 1; and a terminal group of formula (II) derived from a monofunctional phenoxide wherein is X is a hydrogen atom or an organic substituent having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; wherein the poly(aryl ether sulfone) has a hydroxyl group content greater than 0 and less than 50 parts per million (ppm), based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight, a glass transition temperature of 180 to 290° C., a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 to 100,000, a halogen content of greater than 0 and less than 3000 ppm based on the poly(aryl ether sulfone) weight. The poly(aryl ether sulfone) can have a thermal stability factor greater than or equal to 90%.

Abstract: Methods to grow, provide and plant a young tree using a novel removable tubular container are disclosed. The container promotes the growth of a well formed protected root structure that minimizes transplant shock at the time the young tree is moved and permanently planted. The removable container and methods described provide for a fast growing inexpensive tree that is easily planted by a single person.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of a bis(phthalimide) composition includes reacting, in the presence of a solvent and a catalytically active amount of an imidization catalyst selected from quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, and combinations thereof, a substituted phthalic anhydride with an organic diamine, wherein conversion to the bis(phthalimide) is 99% complete in less than 6 hours.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes catalyzing the reaction of a dianhydride and an organic diamine with a catalyst selected from guanadinium salts, pyridinium salts, imidazolium salts, tetra(C6-24)aryl ammonium salts, tetra(C7-24 arylalkylene) ammonium salts, dialkyl heterocycloaliphatic ammonium salts, bis-alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, (C7-24arylalkylene)(C1-16alkyl) phosphonium salts, (C6-24aryl)(C1-16alkyl)phosphonium salts, phosphazenium salts and combinations thereof, optionally in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a polyetherimide composition includes catalyzing the reaction of a dianhydride and an organic diamine with a catalyst selected from guanadinium salts, pyridinium salts, imidazolium salts, tetra(C6-24)aryl ammonium salts, tetra(C7-24 arylalkylene)ammonium salts, dialkyl heterocycloaliphatic ammonium salts, bis-alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, (C7-24arylalkylene)(C1-16alkyl)phosphonium salts, (C6-24aryl)(C1-16alkyl)phosphonium salts, phosphazenium salts and combinations thereof, optionally in the presence of a solvent.