Abstract: The new composition 4,4'-bis(3-ethynylphenoxy)diphenylsulfone is prepared by the nucleophilic displacement reaction of m-hydroxyphenyl acetylene with various disubstituted diphenylsulfones. The composition is useful as a composite resin and also as a reactive plasticizer for polysulfone thermoplastic resins. A reactive plasticizer is a material that remains fluid and acts as a plasticizer during early stages of fabrication and then polymerizes to a rigid resin.

Abstract: Polyarylene polyethers composed of recurring units--O-E-O-E'--where E is the residuum of a dihydric phenol and E' is the residuum of a benzenoid compound having an inert electron withdrawing group ortho or para to the valence bonds and where both E and E' are bonded to the ether oxygens through aromatic carbon atoms. The polyarylene polyethers are prepared by reacting a double alkali metal salt of a dihydric phenol with a dihalobenzenoid compound in the presence of certain sulfoxide or sulfone solvents under substantially anhydrous conditions.

Abstract: Polysulfoneimides are provided and a method for making such materials. Aromatic bis(sulfoneanhydrides) are reacted with organic diamines to yield polymers which are useful in high temperature applications.

Abstract: Aromatic polyethers are made by boiling an organic sulphoxide or sulphone solvent containing i) an equimolar mixture of a bisphenol and an aromatic dihalo compound or ii) a halophenol, in which dihalo compound or halophenol the halogen atoms are activated by ortho or para --SO.sub.2 -- or --CO-- groups, and an alkali metal carbonate with removal of the water produced by the reaction by distillation in the absence of an azeotrope forming solvent.

Abstract: Aromatic polyetherketones and polyether sulphones are prepared from a hydrated alkali metal bisphenate by heating a substantially equimolar mixture of the bisphenate and an activated aromatic dihalide in the presence of an aromatic sulphone to distil off the water, preferably at atmospheric pressure, and then heating at temperatures in the range 250.degree. to 400.degree. C. to effect polymerization.

Abstract: Coating compositions for polymeric substrates which reduce or eliminate dripping of the substrates by forming a cohesive, intumescent, adherent char during exposure to flame. The coating compositions comprise halogenated polymers containing oxacyclobutane units, especially the polycondensation product of tetrahalobisphenol and bishaloalkyl oxetane monomers.