Preparation of polyphenylene ethers

US4404359A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Herbert Naarmann · Wattenheim, DE
• Juergen Hambrecht · Heidelberg, DE
• Norbert Rieber · Mannheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 19, 1982
• Grant date: Sep 13, 1983
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2002

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G65/44
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the preparation of high molecular weight polyphenylene ethers from monohydric phenols which have alkyl substituents in both ortho-positions and may additionally have an alkyl substituent in one meta-position but not in the para-position, by an oxidative coupling reaction, employing oxygen, at from 10.degree. to 25.degree. C., in the presence of a catalyst complex comprising a copper salt and an N-substituted imidazole, in the presence of an aromatic C.sub.8 -C.sub.10 -hydrocarbon solvent. N-Methylimidazole, N-ethylimidazole, N-isopropylimidazole, N-n-butylimidazole, N-cyclohexylimidazole, N-octylimidazole and N-phenylimidazole are preferably used as the imidazole, advantageously in amounts of from 0.5 to 5 percent by weight.