Derivatization of arylene sulfide polymers

A process for the end-group derivatization of an arylene sulfide polymer comprising contacting:

• (a) an arylene sulfide polymer which is characterized by the repeating unit --Ar--S-- wherein Ar is selected from the group consisting of ##STR16## wherein Ar' is a divalent radical selected from the group consisting of ##STR17## Z is selected from the group consisting of --SO.sub.2 -- and --CO--, m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1, A is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, sulfonyl, and CR.sub.2, wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl radicals having 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, the total number of carbon atoms in all of the R groups in the molecule being 0 to about 12,
• (b) a compound having the formula ##STR18## wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl radical having 1 to about 17 carbon atoms, an aryl radical having 6 to about 16 carbon atoms, and combinations thereof, and X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine and bromine, and
• (c) a solvent wherein said solvent is stable in the presence of said compound and said arylene sulfide polymer is soluble in said solvent, wherein said contacting is performed at an elevated temperature.