Branched polyarylene ethers and processes for the preparation thereof

A process for preparing a branched polyarylene ether polymer which comprises (A) providing a reaction mixture comprising (i) an optional solvent, (ii a polyfunctional phenol compound of the formula Ar(OH)x wherein x≧3 and wherein Ar is an aryl moiety or an alkylaryl moiety, provided that when Ar is an alkylaryl moiety at least three of the —OH groups are bonded to an aryl portion thereof, (iii) a compound of the formula

• wherein m is an integer of 0 or 1, Y and Y′ each, independently of the other, is a fluorine atom or a chlorine atom, and A is
• wherein R is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, or mixtures thereof,
• wherein Rx is an alkylene group, an arylene group, an arylalkylene group, an alkylarylene group, or mixtures thereof,
• or mixtures thereof, (iv) a compound of the formula
• wherein B is
• wherein z is an integer of from 2 to about 20,
• wherein u is an integer of from 1 to about 20,
• wherein w is an integer of from 1 to about 20,
• wherein each o, independently of the other, is an integer of 1, 2, 3, or 4,
• wherein R1 and R2 each, independently of the other, are alkyl groups, aryl groups, arylalkyl groups, alkylaryl groups, or mixtures thereof, and p is an integer of 0 or 1,
• wherein b is an integer of 0 or 1,
• wherein (1) Z is
• wherein c is 0 or 1;
• (2) Ar′ is
• (3) G is an alkyl group selected from alkyl groups containing from about 2 to about 10 carbon atoms;
• (4) Ar″ is
• (5) X is
• wherein s is 0, 1, or 2,
• and (6) q is 0 or 1;
• or mixtures thereof, (v) a compound of the formula
• wherein a is an integer of from 1 to 5 and R′ is a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an arylalkyl group, an alkylaryl group, or a mixture thereof, wherein two or more R′ groups can be joined together to form a ring, and (vi) a carbonate base;
• and (B) heating the reaction mixture and removing generated water from the reaction mixture, thereby effecting a polymerization reaction.