Eastman-kodak Company

Raymond D Clark

James G Pacifici

Gordon C Newland

A process for preparing arylene-bis-maleimides by the reaction of an arylenediamine with maleic anhydride followed by treatment of the intermediate compound with acetic anhydride wherein the process is carried out in acetic acid and in the presence of a tertiary amine and the acetic acid to acetic anhydride mole ratio does not exceed 1.3.

Preparation of arylene-bis-maleimides

Disclosed is a process comprising reacting the reaction product of cyclopentanone and methyl cyanoacetate with cyanoacetamide and/or the reaction product of cyclopentanone and cyanoacetamide with methyl cyanoacetate, in the presence of a basic catalyst, to give the intermediate .beta.,.beta.-tetramethylene-.alpha.,.alpha.'-dicyanoglutarim ide, or its salt. In the process, the said reaction products may be formed together in the same reaction system, and the said intermediate preparation preferably is carried out between about 10.degree. C. and about 50.degree. C., in a polar, aprotic solvent, and in the presence of a basic catalyst, e.g., such as triethylamine. The intermediate may then be hydrolyzed to the cyclopentane-1,1-diacetic acid.

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Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Raymond D Clark