Method for synthesizing polyaryletherketones

A process for preparing a polyaryl ether ketone (PAEK), which comprises the following consecutive steps:

• a) placing one or more aromatic acid chlorides and one or more aromatic ethers in contact with a Lewis acid in a solvent which has a water solubility of less than 0.05% at 25° C. at a temperature of between −5 and +25° C., with stirring;
• b) carrying out a polymerization of the aromatic acid chlorides and aromatic ethers and completing the polymerization at a temperature of between 50 and 120° C. to provide a reaction mixture which includes a polyaryl ether ketone;
• c) placing the reaction mixture in contact with water in the absence of alcohol with stirring in the optional presence of acid to extract the Lewis acid, forming a mixture of polyaryl ether ketone and liquid effluents;
• d) separating the polyaryl ether ketone from the liquid effluents;
• e) performing azeotropic distillation on the polyaryl ether ketone so as to eliminate residual solvent;
• f) washing the polyaryl ether ketone;
• g) drying the polyaryl ether ketone at a temperature above Tg+20° C.