Process for capping polyphenylene oxide
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsAllan S. Hay, Dwain M. White
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A process is disclosed which provides for the reduction of the occurrence of oxidative and/or thermal degradation of polyphenylene oxides by contacting the oxides with a capping agent in the presence of a water soluble base, a catalytic phase transfer agent, and, optionally, an effective organic phase reducing agent. The resulting capped polyphenylene oxides can be used to prepare improved articles of manufacture using conventional techniques such as molding, vacuum forming, extrusion, etc.
Claims8
A process comprising contacting a polyphenylene oxide with a capping agent selected from the class consisting of monoacyl halides of the formula ##STR6## hydrocarbon monosulfonyl halides of the formula R--SO.sub.2 --X, anhydrides of monocarboxylic acids of the formula ##STR7## alkyl halides of the formula R-X, dialkyl sulfates of the formula R--O--SO.sub.2 --O--R, wherein R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or mixtures thereof, X is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine, wherein the mole ratio of capping agent to hydroxyl group per polymer unit is within the range of from about 0.5:1 to about 10:1 and wherein said contacting is carried out at a temperature within the range of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. in the presence of (1) a water soluble base selected from the class consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxide or carbonate bases, (2) a catalytic phase transfer agent, and optionally, (3) an effective organic phase reducing agent.
A process comprising contacting a polyphenylene oxide with a capping agent selected from the class consisting of monoacyl halides of the formula ##STR8## hydrocarbon monosulfonyl halides of the formula R-SO.sub.2 -X, anhydrides of monocarboxylic acids of the formula ##STR9## alkyl halides of the formula R--X, dialkyl sulfates of the formula R--O--SO.sub.2 --O--R, wherein R is alkyl, cycloalkyl, or mixtures thereof, X is chlorine, bromine, fluorine or iodine, wherein the mole ratio of capping agent to hydroxyl group per polymer unit is within the range of from about 0.5:1 to about 1:1 and wherein said contacting is carried out at a temperature within the range of from about 15.degree. to about 80.degree. C. in the presence of (1) a water soluble base selected from the class consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxide or carbonate bases, (2) a catalytic phase transfer agent, and optionally, (3) an effective organic phase reducing agent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.