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: Bis(halophthalimides) are prepared in mixture in an organic liquid such as ortho-dichlorobenzene or anisole, by a reaction at a temperature of at least 150° C. between at least one diamine compound and at least one halophthalic anhydride in the presence of imidization catalyst. The reaction mixture is maintained at about 15% by weight solids content and rich in the halophthalic anhydride by constantly monitoring the reaction mixture using analytical methods such as high performance liquid chromatography. The product mixture may be directly employed in the direct preparation of polyetherimides, and similar slurries may be employed to prepare other polyether polymers.

Abstract: A polyetherimide having an OH content that is greater than 0 and equal or less than 100 ppm; and a chlorine content that is greater than 0 ppm is disclosed herein. A method for preparing the polyetherimide is also disclosed.

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: A polyetherimide having an OH content that is greater than 0 and equal or less than 100 ppm; a Relative Thermal Index that is greater than or equal to 170° C.; and a chlorine content that is greater than 0 ppm is disclosed herein. A method for preparing the polyetherimide is also disclosed.

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 polyetherimide having an OH content that is greater than 0 and equal or less than 100 ppm; a Relative Thermal Index that is greater than or equal to 170° C.; and a chlorine content that is greater than 0 ppm is disclosed herein. A method for preparing the polyetherimide is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a metal salt of a hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound is described. The method comprises contacting in an aqueous medium at least one hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound with a base comprising a metal cation to provide a mixture comprising water and a metal salt of said hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound. The aqueous metal salt is then contacted with a substantially water-immiscible solvent at a temperature greater than the boiling point of water at the prevailing pressure to provide a slurry comprising the metal salt of the hydroxy-substituted aromatic compound and a vapor stream comprising the water-immiscible solvent and water. The components of the vapor stream are separated using a vapor handling system comprising a partial reflux condenser to provide a water-rich component and a water immiscible solvent-rich component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing a neutral or an ionic guanidine compound from aqueous media optionally comprising an alkali metal halide, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of (a) adsorption onto a carbonaceous adsorbent, (b) adsorption onto a clay adsorbent, (c) filtration through a nanofiltration membrane, and (d) removal of water and calcination.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising: (a) adding an aqueous solution comprising a quaternary ammonium salt to an organic solvent in a vessel under an inert atmosphere, thereby forming a first mixture comprising the quaternary ammonium salt and the solvent; and (b) mixing the first mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove water and a portion of the solvent from the first mixture, wherein the mixing is performed in an inert atmosphere and the temperature is less than the decomposition temperature of the quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: Polyether polymers, such as polyetherimides, are prepared by the reaction of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salt, such as bisphenol A disodium salt, with a bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))aromatic compound, such as 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(N-(4-chlorophthalimido))benzene, in a solvent such as o-dichlorobenzene and in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst such as a hexaalkylguanidinium chloride. Several embodiments may be employed to improve the method. They comprise employing substantially dry reagents, employing a high solids level in solvent, beginning with an excess of bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))-aromatic compound and incrementally adding alkali metal salt, employing alkali metal salt of small particle size, and using reagents of high purity.

Abstract: The production of low color polyetherimides, including its intermediates, such as bisimides and diaryl diether dianhydrides, may be affected by producing an improved purity intermediate of 4-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide. A salt, such as alkali metal carbonate or alkali metal hydrogen carbonate, is added to an aqueous mixture of 4-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide and 3-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide to selectively hydrolyze the imide linkage of 3-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide forming a water-soluble acid-amide salt. An organic solvent is added to this salt mixture to phase separate 4-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide having dissolved in the organic solvent from acid-amide salt of 3-nitro-N-alkylphthalimide having dissolved in water.

Abstract: An aqueous process is described in which thiocarboxylate silane is produced from haloalkyl silane by reaction of the haloalkyl silane with an aqueous solution of thiocarboxylate salt in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of alkylguanidinium salt.

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: A method for controlling haze in an article comprising a polymer composition, said method comprising providing a polymer composition comprising less than 25 parts per million alkali metal halide; and fabricating an article from said polymer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising: (a) adding an aqueous solution comprising a quaternary ammonium salt to an organic solvent in a vessel under an inert atmosphere, thereby forming a first mixture comprising the quaternary ammonium salt and the solvent; and (b) mixing the first mixture at a temperature and for a time sufficient to remove water and a portion of the solvent from the first mixture, wherein the mixing is performed in an inert atmosphere and the temperature is less than the decomposition temperature of the quaternary ammonium salt.

Abstract: A process to isolate dianhydride from an exchange reaction comprises extracting a bisimide/anhydride exchange reaction aqueous phase with an organic solution comprising an exchange catalyst at a first temperature and pressure to form an extracted aqueous phase comprising water, exchange catalyst and a dianhydride precursor; removing water from the extracted aqueous phase at a second temperature and pressure to form a molten phase, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure; removing water and exchange catalyst from the molten phase at a third temperature and pressure to form an isolation mixture; and converting the dianhydride precursor in the isolation mixture to dianhydride at a fourth temperature and pressure, wherein the fourth temperature is greater than the second and third temperatures and the fourth pressure is less than the second and third pressures.

Abstract: A method of making a polyether polymer comprises reacting a salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with a substituted aromatic compound of formula (I) Z(A1—X1)2 ??(I) in the presence of a catalyst to form an intermediate polymer having endgroups, wherein the molar ratio of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon to the substituted aromatic compound is less than 1, Z is an activating radical, A1 is an aromatic radical and X1 is fluoro, chloro, bromo or nitro; determining the additional amount of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon needed to form a final polyether polymer with a predetermined molecular weight and adding the additional amount of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon to the intermediate polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing an alkali metal salt of a hydroxy-substituted hydrocarbon which comprises the steps of (i) contacting in solvent media at least one hydroxy-substituted hydrocarbon with a base comprising an alkali metal cation; and (ii) devolatilizing the solvent media comprising alkali metal salt by adding or spraying the solvent media into a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent, said solvent being at a temperature greater than the boiling point of solvent media at the prevailing pressure. In one embodiment the solvent media comprises water, and optionally at least one water-soluble protic organic solvent.

Abstract: A method for the synthesis of poly(etherimide)s comprises the reaction of 4-halotetrahydrophthalic anhydride with an activating primary amine to yield an activated 4-halotetrahydrophthalimide. Activated 4-halotetrahydrophthalimide may then be aromatized and treated with the disodium salt of a bis(phenol) to yield an activated bisimide. The activated bisimide may then be directly treated with a diamine to yield poly(etherimide)s.