US4032512A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for the preparation of polyphenylene ethers at elevated pressure
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1975-04-01
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Granted: 1977-06-28
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Expires: 1995-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved process is provided for preparing polyphenylene ethers by oxidatively coupling a di-ortho substituted phenolic precursor in a reaction system containing oxygen at a pressure of more than one atmosphere, and a complex catalyst formed from a cupric halide and a primary or secondary amine catalyst.
Inventors
- 👤 James G. Bennett
- 👤 Glenn D. Cooper
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:16
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G65/00; C08G65/34; C08G65/38; C08G65/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
In a process for the preparation of a high-molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a degree of polymerization of at least 50 by oxidatively coupling a monovalent phenol having substitution in at least the two ortho positions and hydrogen or halogen in the para position using oxygen, a cupric halide and a primary or secondary amine catalyst as an oxidizing agent, the improvement which consists of carrying out the oxidation in a closed system with oxygen at a pressure between 25 and 300 psig.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
In a process for the preparation of a high-molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a degree of polymerization of at least 50 by oxidatively coupling a monovalent phenol having substitution in at least the two ortho positions and hydrogen or halogen in the para position using oxygen, a cupric halide and a primary or secondary amine catalyst as an oxidizing agent, the improvement which consists of carrying out the oxidation in a closed system with oxygen at a pressure between 25 and 300 psig.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
88 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein said polyphenylene ether is of the formula ##STR3## wherein Q is a hydrocarbon radical, a halohydrocarbon radical having at least two carbon atoms between the halogen and the phenol nucleus, a hydrocarbonoxy radical having at least two carbon atoms between the halogen atom and the phenol nucleus; and Q' and Q" are the same as Q and, in addition, halogen provided that Q, Q' and Q" are all free of a tertiary alphacarbon atom and n is at least 50.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A process as defined in claim 2 wherein Q and Q' are hydrocarbon radicals having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and Q" are each hydrogen.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
A process as defined in claim 3 wherein Q and Q' are each methyl radicals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
A process as defined in claim 5 wherein the pressure is in the range of about 25 to 100 psig.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the cupric halide is cupric bromide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the amine is a mono or di-alkyl amine having alkyl groups of from 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a mixture of such compounds.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the secondary amine is present at a level of from 2.0 to about 25 moles per 100 moles of said monovalent phenol and the cupric halide comprises from about 0.2 to about 2.5 moles per 100 moles of the monovalent phenol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process as defined in claim 1 wherein the cupric halide is cupric chloride and the catalyst also includes sodium bromide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a process for the preparation of high molecular weight poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a degree of polymerization of at least 50 by oxidatively coupling 2,6-xylenol, using oxygen, a cupric halide and a primary or secondary amine catalyst as an oxidizing agent, the improvement which consists of carrying out the oxidation in a closed system with oxygen at a pressure of 35 psig.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
In a process for the preparation of high molecular weight poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a degree of polymerization of at least 50 by oxidatively coupling 2,6-xylenol, using oxygen, a cupric halide and a primary or secondary amine catalyst as an oxidizing agent, the improvement which consists of carrying out the oxidation in a closed system with oxygen at a pressure of 35 psig.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 10 wherein the reaction mixture is pressurized with nitrogen.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3262911A
Cited
US3733299A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-06-27 | 1980-12-27 | 1981-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-27 | 1984-12-27 | 1985-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-27 | 1988-12-27 | 1989-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |