Method for making carboxy-functionalized polyphenylene ethers, and blends containing them
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsGary William Yeager, Yiqun Pan
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Carboxy-functionalized polyphenylene ethers containing structural units with a carboxyalkyl group in the 2-position are prepared by redistribution of a polyphenylene ether with a 2-carboxyalkylphenol such as 2-(3-carboxypropyl)phenol (melilotic acid), or by oxidative coupling of a suitable phenol with such a 2-carboxyalkylphenol. The products form compatibilizing copolymers with polymers containing carboxylic acid-reactive functional groups, such as polyesters, polyamides and epoxy resins.
Claims8
A method for preparing a functionalized polyphenylene ether comprising structural units of the formulas
- wherein each Q1 is independently halogen, primary or secondary lower alkyl, phenyl, haloalkyl, aminoalkyl, hydrocarbonoxy, or halohydrocarbonoxy wherein at least two carbon atoms separate the halogen and oxygen atoms;
- each Q2 and Q3 is independently hydrogen, halogen, primary or secondary lower alkyl, phenyl, haloalkyl, hydrocarbonoxy or halohydrocarbonoxy as defined for Q1;
- and R is ethylene, which comprises redistributing a polyphenylene ether with melilotic acid in the presence of a redistribution catalyst.
A method for preparing a functionalized polyphenylene ether comprising structural units of the formulas
- wherein each Q1 is methyl;
- each Q2 and Q3 is hydrogen, which comprises redistributing a polyphenylene ether with melilotic acid in the presence of a redistribution catalyst selected from the group consisting of a peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, a diphenoquinone, and 3,3,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-diphenoquinone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.