Continuous reaction for preparation of arylene sulfide polymer

Abstract

A continuous reaction process is provided for producing arylene sulfide polymer in which a dihalo aromatic compound is contacted with a sulfur complex produced by contacting a solution of sodium N-methylamino butyrate, in an organic amide, with a solution of hydrogen sulfide in an organic amide under conditions suitable to produce a particulate polymeric product. In the process of the invention the sulfur complex is contacted with the dihalo aromatic compound in the presence of an organic amide in a series of three reaction vessels in which (1) the temperature of the reaction is held approximately constant and (2) the reaction pressure is reduced seriatiom to provide driving force to carry the reacting mass through the reaction system. The reacting mass is retained in the series of reaction vessels for a time sufficient to carry the polymerization of at least one of the reactants to substantial completion. Substantially all of the water liberated in the reaction is removed as vapor to provide the seriatim pressure reduction. The reaction effluent from the third reaction vessel is subjected to a sufficient reduction of pressure in the presence of superheated steam to flash evaporate the diluent portion of the effluent to produce a particulate solid product and condensible diluent vapor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.