Process for the production of polyarenazole polymer

A process for making a polyareneazole polymer, comprising the steps of:

• a) contacting areneazole-forming monomers, metal powder, and optionally P2O5, in polyphosphoric acid to form a mixture;
• wherein the metal powder is iron powder and wherein said mixture comprises 0.1 to 0.5 wt % iron based on the weight of said monomers;
• b) blending the mixture at a temperature of from about 50° C. to about 110° C.;
• c) further blending the mixture at a temperature of up to about 145° C. to form a solution comprising an oligomer;
• d) optionally, degassing the solution;
• and
• e) reacting the oligomer solution at a temperature of about 160° C. to about 250° C. for a time sufficient to form a polymer.