General Electric Company

Timothy D Shaffer

James G Bennett, Jr

Mark R Denniston

The invention provides a process for producing a polyphenylene ether by subjecting a 2,6-disubstituted phenol to oxidative coupling by introducing oxygen in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises a manganese compound, a chelant, a base, and an alpha,beta-unsaturated ketone, a beta-diketone, or a vinyl ether. The polyphenylene oxide produced has substantially no amine odor and more stable molecular weight, and is suitable for blending with styrenic or other resins to make thermoplastic resin blends of low odor and good physical properties.

Polyphenylene ether process and resin composition

The invention provides a process for producing a polyphenylene ether by subjecting a 2,6-dialkyl-4-halophenol to oxygen in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent, an aqueous alkali, a phase transfer agent, and a molecular-weight-controlling amount of an amine having at least one hydrogen on the amine nitrogen. The polyphenylene ether thus produced has improved flow properties, color and odor, and is suitable for polymer blending with styrenic resins.

An improved process for producing a polyphenylene ether with low nitrogen content and low odor properties employs, for oxidative coupling of a 2,6-disubstituted phenol, a novel catalyst comprising a copper compound, a diamine, a tertiary amine, a quaternary compound and an unsaturated compound. The new polyphenylene ether is suitable for polymer blending, with, for example, styrenic resins, to make low odor blends.

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Voorheesville, NY, United States of America

Timothy D Shaffer