Multi-stage Process for Forming Polyarylene Sulfides

A system for forming a polyarylene sulfide, the system including;

• a first reactor for forming a complex, the complex including an alkali metal organic amine carboxylic acid salt and an alkali metal hydrogen sulfide, the first reactor including a first outlet for removal of vapor from the first reactor and a second outlet for removal of the complex from the first reactor;
• a second reactor for forming a polyarylene sulfide prepolymer according to a reaction between the complex and a dihaloaromatic monomer, the second reactor including a first inlet for receiving the complex from the first reactor and a second inlet for receiving the dihaloaromatic monomer, the second reactor including a first outlet for removal of the polyarylene sulfide prepolymer from the second reactor and a second outlet for removal of vapor from the second reactor;
• and
• a third reactor for forming the polyarylene sulfide according to a reaction between the polyarylene sulfide prepolymer, a second dihaloaromatic monomer, and a sulfur-containing monomer, the third reactor including a first inlet for receiving the prepolymer from the second reactor, a second inlet for receiving the second dihaloaromatic monomer, and a third net for receiving the sulfur-containing monomer, the third reactor including a first outlet for removal of the polyarylene sulfide from the third reactor and a second outlet for removal of vapor from the third reactor.