THEREBY

BACKGROUND

[0001] Polyetherimides ("PEIs") are amorphous, transparent, high performance polymers typically having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of greater than 180°C. PEIs further have high strength, heat resistance, modulus, and broad chemical resistance, and therefore are widely used in applications as diverse as automotive, telecommunication, aerospace, electrical/electronic, transportation, and healthcare.

[0002] One process for the manufacture of polyetherimides is by polymerization of alkali metal salts of dihydroxy aromatic compounds, such as bisphenol A disodium salt ("BPANa2"), with a substituted bisphthalimide such as a bis(halophthalimide), generally in the presence of a polymerization catalyst. For example, polyetherimides can be produced by polymerization of BPANa ₂ with l,3-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]benzene ("4-ClPAMI"). Other isomers of C1PAMI can also be used, either alone or in combination. Substituted bisphthalimides are generally produced by imidization of a substituted or halophthalic anhydride with an organic diamine.

[0003] The above-described polymerization generally requires the synthesis and purification of the substituted bisphthalimides and the alkali metal salts of dihydroxy aromatic compounds separately, followed by polymerization to provide the polyetherimide. Thus, there remains a need in the art for an improved process for the manufacture of polyetherimides that does not require separate monomer syntheses. In particular, it would be advantageous if a substituted bisphthalimide, an alkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, and the corresponding polyetherimide could be made in situ in a single reaction vessel, without isolation and purification of any individual monomer component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0004] A method of making a polyetherimide includes: contacting in a reaction vessel a reactive substituted phthalic anhydride of the formula

an organic diamine of the formula

H2N-R-NH2,

optionally, a chain terminating agent, and optionally a imidization catalyst, in a polar aprotic solvent under conditions effective to provide a reaction mixture comprising a substituted bisphthalimide of the formula

adding to the reaction mixture in the reaction vessel an aromatic dihydroxy compound of the formula HO-Z-OH; a base comprising an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal acetate, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; optionally, a chain termination agent; and optionally, a phase transfer catalyst; under conditions effective to provide a product mixture comprising the polyetherimide; wherein, in the foregoing formulas, X is chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, nitro, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; R is a C ₆ -20 aromatic hydrocarbon group or a halogenated derivative thereof, a straight or branched chain C2-20 alkylene group, or a halogenated derivative thereof, a C3-8 cycloalkylene group or halogenated derivative thereof, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and Z is a grou of the formula

[0005] wherein R ^a and R ^b are each independently a halogen atom or a monovalent C _1-6 alkyl group, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, c is 0 to 4, and X ^a is a single bond, -0-, -S-, -S(O)-, -SO2-, -C(O)-, or a C _1-18 organic bridging group.

[0006] A polyetherimide made by the above methods is disclosed, as well as articles comprising the polyetherimides.

[0007] The above described and other features are exemplified by the following figures and detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The present inventors have surprisingly found that it is now possible to make substituted bisphthalimides, alkali metal salts of dihydroxyaromatic compounds, and the corresponding polyetherimides in a single reaction vessel (also known as a "one pot" method). The substituted bisphthalimides can be made in polar aprotic solvents, for example diphenyl sulfone or tetramethylene sulfone (also referred to as sulfolane). The substituted

bisphthalimides can then be used directly for preparation of a polyetherimide by adding an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a base to the same reaction vessel to generate an alkali metal salt of the aromatic dihydroxy compound in situ. No separation or purification of the bisphthalimide is required before the displacement polymerization reaction, and advantageously, the alkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound need not be pre-formed prior to addition to the reaction vessel containing the bisphthalimide. In a further advantageous feature, a phase transfer polymerization catalyst is not required for the polymerization.

[0009] Accordingly, a method of making a polyetherimide represents an aspect of the present disclosure. The polyetherimide is prepared first by imidization of a substituted phthalic anhydride with an organic diamine to form a bisphthalimide, followed by polymerization of the bisphthalimide at the substituted position. In this method, a reactive substituted phthalic anhydride of formula (1) is contacted in a reaction vessel with an organic diamine of formula (2).

[0010] In formula (1), X is a leaving group, such as a nitro group or a halogen.

Specifically, X can be chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, nitro, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. Preferably X is chloro. For example, the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride can comprise 4-chlorophthalic anhydride, 3-chlorophthalic anhydride, or a

combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, more preferably wherein the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride comprises 4-chlorophthalic anhydride.

[0011] R in formula (2) is a substituted or unsubstituted divalent organic group, such as a substituted or unsubstituted C ₆ -20 aromatic hydrocarbon group, a substituted or unsubstituted straight or branched chain C ₄ - ₂ o alkylene group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3-8 cycloalkylene group, in particular a halogenated derivative of any of the foregoing. In some embodiments R is divalent group of one or more of the following formulas (3)

wherein Q ¹ is -0-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -P(R ^a )(=0)- wherein R ^a is a Ci- ₈ alkyl or C ₆ -i2 aryl, -Cyfhy- wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5 or a halogenated derivative thereof (which includes perfluoroalkylene groups), or -(C ₆ H ₁ o)z- wherein z is an integer from 1 to 4. In some embodiments R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, or a diarylene sulfone, in particular bis(4,4'- phenylene)sulfone, bis(3, 4 '-phenylene) sulfone, bis(3,3'-phenylene)sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, at least 10 mole percent or at least 50 mole percent of the R groups contain sulfone groups, and in other embodiments no R groups contain sulfone groups.

[0012] Illustrative examples of organic diamine compounds of formula (2) include 1,4- butane diamine, 1,5-pentanediamine, 1,6-hexanediamine, 1,7-heptanediamine, 1,8- octanediamine, 1,9-nonanediamine, 1,10-decanediamine, 1,12-dodecanediamine, 1,18- octadecanediamine, 3-methylheptamethylenediamine, 4,4-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 4- methylnonamethylenediamine, 5-methylnonamethylenediamine, 2,5- dimethylhexamethylenediamine, 2,5-dimethylheptamethylenediamine, 2, 2- dimethylpropylenediamine, N-methyl-bis (3-aminopropyl) amine, 3- methoxyhexamethylenediamine, l,2-bis(3-aminopropoxy) ethane, bis(3-aminopropyl) sulfide, 1,4-cyclohexanediamine, bis-(4-aminocyclohexyl) methane, m-phenylenediamine, p- phenylenediamine, 2,4-diaminotoluene, 2,6-diaminotoluene, m-xylylenediamine, p- xylylenediamine, 2-methyl-4,6-diethyl-l,3-phenylene-diamine, 5-methyl-4,6-diethyl-l,3- phenylene-diamine, benzidine, 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine, 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine, 1,5- diaminonaphthalene, bis(4-aminophenyl) methane, bis(2-chloro-4-amino-3,5-diethylphenyl) methane, bis(4-aminophenyl) propane, 2,4-bis(p-amino-t-butyl) toluene, bis(p-amino-t- butylphenyl) ether, bis(p-methyl-o-aminophenyl) benzene, bis(p-methyl-o-aminopentyl) benzene, 1, 3-diamino-4-isopropylbenzene, bis(4-aminophenyl) sulfide, bis-(4-aminophenyl) sulfone (also known as 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone (DDS)), and bis(4-aminophenyl) ether (also known as 4,4'-oxydianiline). Any regioisomer of the foregoing compounds can be used. Ci- ₄ alkylated or poly(Ci- ₄ )alkylated derivatives of any of the foregoing can be used, for example a polymethylated 1,6-hexanediamine. Combinations of these compounds can also be used. In some embodiments the organic diamine is m-phenylenediamine, p-phenylenediamine, bis(4- aminophenyl) ether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 3,3'- diaminodiphenyl sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the organic diamine is m-phenylenediamine, bis(4-aminophenyl) ether, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0013] Contacting the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine is in a polar aprotic solvent, preferably a aprotic solvent having a high boiling point, for example, greater than 140°C, or greater than 160°C, or greater than 180°C. Illustrative examples of polar aprotic solvents can include sulfolane, diphenyl sulfone, dimethyl sulfoxide, aliphatic amides such as N-methylpyrrolidinone, Ν,Ν-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide,

hexamethylphosphoramide, anisole, veratrole, diphenylether, phenetole, and ionic liquids such as trioctylmethylammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM][PF ₆ ]), trihexyl(tetradecyl)ammonium

bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, ([Νό,4,4,ΐ4][ΝΤί2]), l-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C ₄ mim][Cl]), l-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C ₄ mim] [PF6], and the like. A combination comprising at least one of the foregoing can be used. In some

embodiments, the polar aprotic solvent comprises sulfolane, diphenyl sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0014] A chain terminating agent can be present during imidization in particular a monofunctional compound, for example, a monofunctional compound that is capable of reacting with an amine group or an anhydride group. Exemplary compounds include anyhydrides and their diacids, and amines, for example monofunctional aromatic anhydrides such as phthalic anhydride (or the diacid thereof), an aliphatic monoanhydride such as maleic anhydride (or the diacid thereof), or monofunctional aldehydes, ketones, esters isocyanates, aromatic monoamines such as aniline, or Ci-Cis linear, branched or cyclic aliphatic monoamines. A monofunctional bisphthalimide can also be added before or during imidization. The amount of endcapping agent that can be added depends on the desired amount of chain terminating agent, and can be, for example, more than 0 to 10 mole percent (mol%), or 0.1 to 10 mol%, or 0.1 to 6 mol%, based on the moles of endcapping agent and amine or anhydride reactant.

[0015] Contacting of the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride, the organic diamine, and the optional chain terminating agent in the polar aprotic solvent is done under conditions effective to provide a reaction mixture comprising the substituted bisphthalimide. The percent solids, temperature, time, and pressure during the contacting can be adjusted to effectively provide the substituted bisphthalimide. For example, a higher temperature can be effective when the pressure is increased. The precise conditions can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the guidelines described herein.

[0016] Suitable conditions can include, for example, contacting the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride, the organic diamine, and the optional chain terminating agent in the solvent at a temperature of at least 130°C, or 150° to 275°C, or 160 to 250°C, or 170 to 200°C. Heating below these temperatures can lead to incomplete reaction, or lengthy reaction times. Heating above these temperatures can lead to undesirable side reactions. The time can vary depending on the temperature and pressure used. It can be desirable to heat for as short a time as possible for efficiency and to decrease formation of any side products. For example, the contacting of the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine can be for a time of 0.5 to 30 hours, or 1 to 20 hours, or 1 to 10 hours, or 2 to 8 hours, or 3 to 7 hours. Atmospheric or superatmospheric pressure can be used, for example up to 5 atmospheres, to facilitate the use of high temperatures without causing solvent to be lost by evaporation.

[0017] The the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride, the organic diamine, the optional chain terminating agent, and the polar aprotic solvent can be combined in any order. In some embodiments, the polar aprotic solvent can first be heated, then the substituted phthalic anhydride, optional monoanhydride chain terminating agent, and the organic diamine can be added to the heated solvent either alone or in combination. In a specific embodiment, when the solvent comprises diphenyl sulfone, the diphenyl sulfone can first be heated to a molten state, then the substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine can be added to the molten diphenyl sulfone, either alone or in combination.

[0018] In some embodiments, the contacting of the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride, the organic diamine, and the optional chain-terminating agent (i.e., imidization) can be conducted without any imidization catalysts typically used in imidization reactions, for example, sodium phenylene phosphinate (SPP), acetic acid, benzoic acid, phthalic acid, substituted derivatives thereof, and hexaethylguanidium chloride (HEGC1). Other imidization catalysts are described, for example, in US2014/0099510 Al. The catalyst, if used, is present in an amount effective to accelerate the reaction, for example about 0.1 to 10.0 mol%, or 0.1 to 5.0 mol%, or 0.1 to 4.0 mol%, or 0.1 to 3.0 mol%, or 0.1 to 2.0 mol%, or 0.5 to 4.0 mol%, or 1.0 to 4.0 mol%, or 1.5 to 3.5 mol% each based on the moles of diamine.

[0019] The substituted phthalic anhydride, organic diamine, and the solvent can be combined in amounts such that the total solids content during the reaction to form the bisphthalimide does not exceed 80 weight percent (wt%), or does not exceed 60 wt%. For example, the total solids content can be 1 to 40 wt%, or 1 to 30 wt%, or 1 to 25 wt%, or 15 to 25 wt%. "Total solids content" refers to the proportion of the reactants as a percentage of the total weight including liquids (such as solvent) present in the reaction at any given time.

[0020] A molar ratio of substituted phthalic anhydride to organic diamine of 1.95: 1 to 2.05: 1, or 1.98: 1 to 2.02: 1, or 1.98: 1 to 2.01: 1, or 2: 1 can be used. While other ratios can be employed, a slight excess of anhydride or diamine can be desirable. A proper stoichiometric balance between substituted phthalic anhydride and organic diamine is preferably maintained in order to prevent formation of undesirable by-products that can limit the molecular weight of the final polyetherimide product prepared from the bisphthalimide, or result in polymers with amine end groups. Thus, in some embodiments, the method can optionally further comprise analyzing the reaction mixture to determine the molar ratio of substituted phthalic anhydride to organic diamine, and if necessary, adding substituted phthalic anhydride or organic diamine to the analyzed reaction mixture to adjust the molar ratio of the substituted phthalic anhydride to the organic diamine to the desired value, for example, 1.98: 1 to 2.02: 1, or other ratios as described above. A method for analyzing the reaction mixture to determine the molar ratio of substituted phthalic anhydride to organic diamine is further described in the working examples below.

[0021] The bisphthalimide provided by contacting the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine in the polar aprotic solvent is of the formula (4)

wherein X and R are as described above in formulas (1) and (2), respectively. In some embodiments, X is chloro and R is meta-phenylene or diarylene ether.

[0022] The reaction mixture comprising the bisphthalimide is used for the subsequent polymerization step without purification or isolation. In some embodiments, the reaction mixture includes less than or equal to 5 mol% of an impurity having a structure derived from at least one monomer (e.g., the substituted phthalic anhydride, the organic diamine, or both) prior to the polymerization step. In some embodiments, the impurity comprises residual reactive substituted phthalic anhydride or a derivative thereof, a product of reaction of one mole of the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and one mole of the organic diamine, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0023] Advantageously, the polymerization step is conducted in the same reaction vessel containing the reaction mixture comprising the bisphthalimide. Accordingly, the method further comprises adding to the reaction mixture, in the same reaction vessel, an aromatic dihydroxy compound, a base, and optionally, a phase transfer catalyst. The aromatic dihydroxy compound is of formula (5)

HO-Z-OH (5)

wherein Z is an aromatic C ₆ -24 monocyclic or polycyclic moiety optionally substituted with 1 to 6 Ci-8 alkyl groups, 1 to 8 halogen atoms, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, provided that the valence of Z is not exceeded. Exemplary groups Z include groups of formula 6)

wherein R ^a and R ^b are each independently the same or different, and are a halogen atom or a monovalent C _1-6 alkyl group, for example; p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4; c is 0 to 4; and X ^a is a bridging group connecting the hydroxy-substituted aromatic groups, where the bridging group and the hydroxy substituent of each C ₆ arylene group are disposed ortho, meta, or para (specifically para) to each other on the C ₆ arylene group. The bridging group X ^a can be a single bond, -0-, -S-, -S(O)-, -S(0) ₂ -, -C(O)-, or a CMS organic bridging group. The Ci-18 organic bridging group can be cyclic or acyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic, and can further comprise heteroatoms such as halogens, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, silicon, or phosphorous. The Ci-18 organic group can be disposed such that the C ₆ arylene groups connected thereto are each connected to a common alkylidene carbon or to different carbons of the Ci-is organic bridging group. A specific example of a group Z is a divalent group of formula (6a)

wherein Q is -0-, -S-, -C(O)-, -S0 ₂ -, -SO-, -P(R ^a )(=0)- wherein R ^a is a Ci- ₈ alkyl or C ₆ -i2 aryl, or -CyH _2y - wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5 or a halogenated derivative thereof (including a perfluoroalkylene group). A combination of different aromatic dihydroxy compounds of formula (5) can be used to provide a copolymer. In a specific embodiment Z is a derived from bisphenol A, such that Q in formula (3a) is 2,2-isopropylidene.

[0024] In addition to the aromatic dihydroxy compound, a base is also added to the reaction mixture. In some embodiments, the base is an alkali metal base. The base can be, for example, an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal acetate, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the base is preferably an alkali metal carbonate, for example sodium carbonate.

[0025] A phase transfer catalyst can optionally be added to the reaction mixture. When present, the phase transfer catalyst can be selected such that it is stable (i.e., that it can effect the desired reaction at the desired rate without significant degradation) over the reaction temperature range, which is further described below. The phase transfer catalyst can comprise, for example, quaternary ammonium salts, quaternary phosphonium salts, guanidinium salts, pyridinium salts, imidazolium salts, cryptands and other crown ether ligand catalysts, and the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the phase transfer catalyst can be a guanidinium salt. Examples of guanidinium salts are hexaalkyl guanidinium and a,co-bis(pentaalkyl guanidinium)alkane salts. Preferably, the phase transfer catalyst can comprise hexaalkyl guanidinium salts, for example, hexaalkyl guanidinium chloride. In some embodiments, the polymerization can be conducted without the phase transfer catalyst (i.e., the method can exclude the presence of a phase transfer catalyst). In some embodiments, the phase transfer catalyst can be a phosphonium salt, for example tetraalkyl phosphonium salts, for example a tetraalkyl phosphonium chloride. [0026] Following addition of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, the base, and optionally, the phase transfer catalyst, a dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound can be formed in situ. The dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound can be of the formula (7)

M ⁺ O-Z-0 ⁺ M (7)

wherein Z is as defined above, and M is an alkali metal. Alkali metal M can be any alkali metal, for example lithium, sodium, potassium, and cesium. Thus, alkali metal salt (7) can encompass lithium salts, sodium salts, potassium salts, cesium salts, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. Specific alkali metal metals are potassium or sodium. In some

embodiments, M is potassium. In some embodiment, M is sodium.

[0027] The polymerization can be conducted in the presence of a chain terminating agent that optionally can be formed in situ, or formed during imidization by the addition of a monofunctional compound as described above, or can be added after imidization. Such chain terminating agents include a monofunctional bisphthalimide, or an alkali metal salt of a monoh droxy aromatic compound of formula (8)

wherein M ² is for example lithium, sodium, potassium, or cesium, preferably potassium or sodium, more preferably sodium; R ^c and R ^d are each independently the same or different, and are a monovalent Ci-12 alkyl group, for example methyl; r and s are each independently integers of 0 to 3; d is 0 to 3; and X ^b is a single bond or a C _1-8 alkylene or alkylidene, for example isopropylidene. In a specific embodiment, the chain terminating agent can be an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound of formula (8) wherein d is 0 and M is potassium or sodium, preferably sodium. Thus, in some embodiments, the chain terminating agent can be an alkali metal salt of phenol (e.g., derived from phenol with Na ₂ C03). The chain terminating agents are useful to control the type of end group in the polymer and to control the molecular weight of the polymer.

[0028] Thus, after imidization, the leaving group X of the bisphthalimide (4) is displaced with an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound through an ether-forming polymerization reaction to provide a product mixture comprising the desired polyetherimide.

[0029] The polymerization can be conducted at a temperature and pressure and for a time effective to provide the polyetherimide. The type and amount of chain terminating agent, temperature, time, and pressure during polymerization can be adjusted to effect polymerization. The precise conditions can be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation using the guidelines provided herein.

[0030] For example, the polymerization can be conducted at a temperature of at least 130°C, or 150° to 275°C, or 160 to 250°C, or 170 to 200°C. Heating below these temperatures can lead to incomplete polymerization, or very lengthy processing times. Heating above these temperatures can lead to unwanted side reactions. The time the polymerization is conducted can vary widely depending on the temperature and pressure selected for the polymerization. For example, the polymerization can be for a time of 0.5 to 100 hours, or 1 to 80 hours, or 10 to 75 hours, or 20 to 75 hours. The yellowness index of the polyetherimide can depend on the polymerization time such that the longer the polymerization time, the higher the yellowness index. Thus, in some embodiments, it can be desirable to minimize polymerization times.

Atmospheric or superatmospheric pressures can be used, for example, up to 5 atmospheres, to facilitate the use of high temperatures without causing solvent to be lost by evaporation.

[0031] In some embodiments, the molar ratio of the dihydroxy aromatic compound to the bisphthalimide can be 0.9: 1 to 0.999: 1, or 0.95: 1 to 0.99: 1.

[0032] The method can optionally further comprise isolating the polyetherimide from the product mixture, for example by precipitating the polyetherimide with the use of an antisolvent, and filtering the polyetherimide. In some embodiments, the polyetherimide obtained from the product mixture can be washed one or more times, for example with a suitable antisolvent.

Exemplary antisolvents can include, for example, a Ci-12 alkyl ketone solvent (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, and the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing), a C _1-6 alcohol, water, acetonitrile, methyl ethyl acetate, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the product mixture can be washed one or more times with acetone, a C _1-6 alcohol, water, acetonitrile, methyl ethyl acetate, or the like, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. In some embodiments, the method can further comprise drying the isolated polyetherimide, for example using heat, vacuum, or both.

[0033] Polyetherimides produced by the methods disclosed herein comprise more than 1, for example, 2 to 1000, or 5 to 500, or 10 to 100 structural units of formula (8)

wherein each R and Z is independently the same or different, and is as described above in formulas (2) and (5). The divalent bonds of the -0-Z-O- group are in the 3,3', 3,4', 4,3', or the 4,4' positions. As described above a combination of different amines or different aromatic dihydroxy compounds (or both) can be used to provide copolymers.

[0034] In an embodiment in formula (8), R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, diarylene ether, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and Z is a divalent group of formula (6a). Alternatively, R is m-phenylene, p-phenylene, diarylene ether, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, and Z is a divalent group of formula (6a) and Q is 2,2- isopropylidene. Alternatively, the polyetherimide can be a copolymer comprising additional structural polyetherimide units of formula (1) wherein at least 50 mole percent (mol%) of the R groups are bis(4,4'-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,4'-phenylene)sulfone, bis(3,3'-phenylene)sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing and the remaining R groups are p- phenylene, m-phenylene or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and Z is 2,2-(4-phenylene)isopropylidene, i.e., a bisphenol A moiety.

[0035] In some embodiments, the polyetherimide can have a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 15,000 Daltons (Da), or greater than or equal to 20,000 Da, or 15,000 to

200,000 Da, or 20,000 to 200,000 Da, or 30,000 to 150,000 Da. In some embodiments, the polyetherimide can have a polydispersity index of 2 to 5.

[0036] Advantageously, the polyetherimides can be formulated to provide a wide variety of polyetherimide compositions for the manufacture of articles. The polyetherimide

composition can, for example, optionally comprise a filler. In some embodiments, it can be desirable to provide a polyetherimide composition that is devoid of a filler. In some

embodiments, the polyetherimide composition can include various additives ordinarily incorporated into polymer compositions of this type, with the proviso that the additives are selected so as to not significantly adversely affect the desired properties of the composition. Exemplary additives can include, impact modifiers, fillers, antioxidants, thermal stabilizers, light stabilizers, ultraviolet (UV) light absorbing additives, quenchers, plasticizers, lubricants, mold release agents, antistatic agents, visual effect additives such as dyes, pigments, and light effect additives, flame retardants, anti-drip agents, and radiation stabilizers. Combinations of additives can be used. Combinations of additives can be used. The foregoing additives can be present individually in an amount from 0.005 to 10 wt%, or combined in an amount from 0.005 to 20 wt%, specifically 0.01 to 10 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition. Particulate fillers and reinforcing fillers can also be present.

[0037] In some embodiments, the polyetherimide composition can further include at least one additional polymer. Examples of such additional polymers include and are not limited to a polyacetal, poly(Ci-6 alkyl)acrylate, polyacrylamide, polyacrylonitrile, polyamide, polyamideimide, polyanhydride, polyarylene ether (e.g., PPE (polyphenylene ether)), polyarylene ether ketone, polyarylene ketone, polyarylene sulfide (e.g., PPS (poly(phenylene sulfide)), polyarylene sulfone (e.g., PPSU (polyphenylene sulfone) and PSU (polysulfone)), polybenzothiazole, polybenzoxazole, polybenzimidazole, polycarbonate, polyester, poly(Ci-6 alkyl)methacrylate, polymethacrylamide, cyclic olefin polymer, polyolefin, polyoxadiazole, polyoxymethylene, polyphthalide, polysilazane, polysiloxane, polystyrene, polysulfide, polysulfonamide, polysulfonate, polythioester, polytriazine, polyurea, polyurethane, vinyl polymer, blends and co-polymers thereof, or a combination thereof. Other polymers include fluorinated polymers (e.g. PFA (perfluoroalkoxy alkane), MFA (co-polymer of TFE

(tetrafluoroethylene) and PFVE (perfluorinated vinyl ether)), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene polymers), PTFE (poly tetrafluoroethylene), and blends and co-polymers thereof. When present, the polymer can be used in an amount from more than 0 to 99 wt.%, for example 50 to 95 wt.%, or 1 to 50 wt.%, each based on the total weight of the polyetherimide

composition. In some embodiments the polymer is present in an amount of 0.1 to 20 wt.%, or 0.5 to 10 wt.%, each based on the total weight of the polyetherimide composition. In some embodiments, no polymer other than the polyetherimide as described herein is present in the polyetherimide composition.

[0038] The polyetherimide composition can be prepared by blending the ingredients under conditions for the formation of an intimate blend. Such conditions often include melt mixing in single or twin screw-type extruders, mixing bowl, or similar mixing devices that can apply a shear to the components. Twin-screw extruders are often preferred due to their more intensive mixing capability and self-wiping capability, over single screw extruders. It is often advantageous to apply a vacuum to the blend through at least one vent port in the extruder to remove volatile impurities in the composition. Often it is advantageous to dry the

polyetherimide composition prior to melt mixing. The melt mixing is often done at 290 to 340°C to avoid excessive polymer degradation while still allowing sufficient melting to get an intimate polymer mixture free of any unbelted components. The polymer blend can also be melt filtered using a 40 to 100 micrometer candle or screen filter to remove undesirable black specks or other heterogeneous contaminants.

[0039] In an exemplary process, the polyetherimide, any other polymers, and any additives are placed into an extrusion compounder to produce a continuous strand that is cooled and then chopped into pellets. In another procedure, the components are mixed by dry blending, and then fluxed on a mill and comminuted, or extruded and chopped. The composition and any optional components can also be mixed and directly molded, e.g., by injection or transfer molding techniques. Preferably, all of the components are freed from as much water as possible. In addition, compounding is carried out to ensure that the residence time in the machine is short; the temperature is carefully controlled; the friction heat is utilized; and an intimate blend between the components is obtained.

[0040] The polyetherimide composition can be formed into an article by any number of methods including shaping, extruding (including profile extrusion), thermoforming, and molding, including injection molding, compression molding, gas assist molding, structural foam molding, and blow molding. In some embodiments, a method of forming an article comprises shaping, extruding, blow molding, or injection molding the composition to form the article. The polyetherimide compositions can also formed into articles using thermoplastic processes such as film extrusion, sheet extrusion, melt casting, blown film extrusion, and calendaring. Co- extrusion and lamination processes can be used to form composite multi-layer films or sheets. The article can be a sheet, film, multilayer sheet, multilayer film, molded part, extruded profile, coated part, pellets, powder, foam, fiber, fibrids, flaked fibers, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0041] The polyetherimide composition can be molded into an article with any equipment conventionally used for molding thermoplastic compositions, such as a Newbury or van Dorn type injection-molding machine with conventional cylinder temperatures of 250°C to 320°C, and conventional mold temperatures of 55°C to 120°C.

[0042] A wide variety of articles can manufactured using the branched polyimide and branched polyetherimide compositions, the polyimide and polyetherimide compositions, and the polymer compositions, for example articles of utility in automotive, telecommunication, aerospace, electrical/electronics, transportation, and healthcare applications. Such articles can include coatings, fibers, matrices for polymer composites, and the like. The articles can be extruded or molded, for example injection molded. Components for electronic devices and components for sterilizable medical articles can be specifically mentioned.

[0043] The methods and polyetherimides are further illustrated by the following examples, which are non-limiting.

EXAMPLES

[0044] Examples 1-8 demonstrate the one-pot synthesis of a polyetherimide from 4- chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA) and bisphenol A (BPA) with various amines and in various polar aprotic solvents.

Example 1 : One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), Bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in tetramethylene sulfone (sulfolane).

[0045] A 500 milliliter 3-necked, round-bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was charged with 5.409 grams of m-PD (0.05 moles, 1.0 equiv.) and 18.237 grams of 4C1PA (0.1 moles, 2.0 equiv.) followed by the addition of 100 grams warm (40-50°C) sulfolane (to provide a solids content of about 18%) and then heated to 170°C. The temperature was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of 4C1PAMI in sulfolane. The heating was continued for 4 hours, and the slurry became slightly thinner.

[0046] At that point, stoichiometry analysis was conducted. The stoichiometry analysis was carried out using a sample of the 4C1PAMI slurry (23 milligrams) weighed into a 20 milliliter vial. Ortho-dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) (35 milligrams) was added, followed by acetonitrile (10 milliliters). The resulting mixture was sonicated for 5 minutes and filtered into a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) vial. The sample was then analyzed by ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for stoichiometry analysis using an isocratic 55:45 water/acetonitrile UPLC method (injection amount: 0.80 microliters; PDA detection at 278 nanometers; solvent A: 4 liters of deionized water + 3 milliliters H ₃ P0 ₄ ; solvent B: 100% acetonitrile; program: 55:45 (A:B) for 9 minutes; flow rate: 0.313 milliliters per minute; column temperature 35°C). The analysis provides the amount of CIPA, m-PD and monoamine intermediate per gram of o-DCB, which is then converted into the total moles of the

components. The CIPAMI stoichiometry and the amount of mPD or CIPA needed for correction can be calculated. If the molar difference between CIPA and monoamine is less than 0.4 mol % CIPA excess or less than 0.2 mol% monoamine excess, no correction is needed. In this example the value is 0.04 mol% CIPA excess, with the analysis indicating the presence of 0.80 mol % of residual 4C1PA and 0.96 mol % of residual monoamine (i.e., the product of reaction of one mole of 4C1PA and one mole of mPD) in the reaction mixture.

[0047] To this mixture 11.394 grams of sodium carbonate (Na ₂ C0 ₃ ) (0.107 moles, 2.15 equiv.) and 11.414 grams of BPA (0.05 moles, 1.0 equiv.) were added as solids, and the mixture was left to stir at 200 °C.

[0048] Analysis by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) with polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) plateau was reached at about 38,000 Da in 64 hours, with a polydispersity index (PDI) of 2.62.

[0049] GPC analysis for Example 1 and the subsequent Examples was carried out according to the following procedure. In a 20 milliliter glass vial, about 20 milligrams of the polymer sample was taken and dissolved into 10 milliliters of a quenching solution (quenching solution prepared from 3.5 liters of dichloromethane, 120 milliliters of acetic acid, and 30 milliliters of ortho-dichlorobenzene), followed by filtration with 0.45 micrometer filter into an HPLC vial. The solution was analyzed by GPC relative to polystyrene standards using an HPLC 2695, Waters GPC software using 2487 Dual absorbance detector of wavelength 254

nanometers, and Mixed Bed C, PLgel 5 micrometer, 300 x 7.5 millimeters, P/N 1110-6500 column.

[0050] The reaction mixture was poured slowly into a 2 liter beaker containing 1 liter of deionized water while stirring slowly with an overhead stirrer. The polymer solution was solidified, crushed, and blended to a powder. The polymer powder was filtered and washed with water three times with 500 mL portions to remove sulfolane and sodium carbonate. The powdered polymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 150°C.

Example 2: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), oxydianiline (ODA), Bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in tetramethylene sulfone (sulfolane).

[0051] A 500 milliliter 3 -neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was charged with 6.007 grams of ODA (0.03 moles, 1.0 equiv.) and 10.997 grams of 4C1PA (0.06 moles, 2.0 equiv.) followed by the addition of 75 grams of warm (40-50°C) sulfolane (to provide a solids content of about 18%) when heated to 170°C. The temperature was slowly increased to 200°C. The heating was continued for 4 hours. At that point, stoichiometry analysis of the reaction mixture indicated the presence of 0.87 mol % of residual 4C1PA and 0.31 mol % of residual monoamine in the reaction mixture. To this mixture 6.99 grams of Na ₂ C03 (0.066 moles, 2.15 equiv.), 6.711 grams of BPA (0.03 moles, 1.0 equiv.) and 0.158 grams of hexaethylguanidinium chloride (HEGC1) (0.6 mmol, 0.02 equiv.) were added as solids, and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) plateau was reached at 54,600 Da in 64 hours with a PDI of 4.42. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 1.

Example 3: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), Bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in diphenyl sulfone (DPS).

[0052] A 500 milliliter 3 -neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was then immersed into an oil bath at 170°C and DPS (75 grams) was added. Once the DPS was completely molten, the overhead stirrer was turned on and 3.245 grams of mPD (0.03 moles, 1.0 equiv.) and 10.997 grams of 4C1PA (0.06 moles, 2.0 equiv.) were added to the flask containing the molten DPS (to provide a solids content of about 15%) at 170°C. The temperature was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of C1PAMI in DPS. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, stoichiometry analysis of the reaction mixture showed the presence of 0.92 mol % of residual 4C1PA and 1.02 mol % of residual monoamine in the reaction mixture. To the reaction mixture 6.99 grams of Na ₂ C03 (0.066 moles, 2.15 equiv.), 6.711 grams of BPA (0.03 moles, 1.0 equiv.), and 0.158 grams of HEGC1 (0.6 mmol, 0.02 equiv.) were added as solids and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) plateau was reached at 69,660 Da in 64 hours with a PDI of 4.26.

[0053] The polymer mixture was poured into an aluminum pan without quenching and allowed to cool. The solidified polymer solution was broken into pieces and ground into a powder by a blender. The resulting polymer powder was washed with acetone (3 x 500 milliliters) and the cake was mixed with 500 milliliters of pH 2 deionized water (acidified with hydrochloric acid) and shaken for 30 minutes, followed by filtration and washing with deionized water (3 x 500 milliliters). The polymer cake was finally washed with an additional 100 milliliters of acetone, and dried in a vacuum oven at 150°C.

Example 4: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), oxydianiline (ODA), Bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in diphenyl sulfone (DPS).

[0054] A 500 milliliter 3 -neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was immersed into an oil bath at 170°C and DPS (80 grams) was added. Once the DPS was completely molten, the overhead stirrer was turned on and 10.012 grams of ODA (0.05 moles, 1.0 equiv.) and 18.329 grams of 4C1PA (0.1 moles, 2.0 equiv.) were added to the molten DPS (to provide a solids content of about 25%) at 170°C. The temperature was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a solution of ODA-CIPAMI in DPS. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, stoichiometry analysis of the reaction mixture showed the presence of 0.63 mol % of residual 4C1PA and 0.52 mol % of residual monoamine in the reaction mixture. To the reaction mixture 11.29 grams of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.106 moles, 2.15 equiv.), 11.229 grams of BPA (0.0495 moles, 0.99 equiv.) and 0.158 grams of HEGC1 (0.6 mmol, 0.02 equiv.) were added as solids and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) plateau was reached at 106,900 Da in 20 hours with a PDI of 3.71. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 3.

Example 5: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide copolymer from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), difluorobenzophenone (DFBP), bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane using HEGC1 as phase transfer catalysts.

[0055] A 500 milliliter 3-neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 2.164 grams of mPD (0.02 moles) and 7.367 grams of 4C1PA (0.0404 moles) were added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane was added and the mixture was stirred. The temperature of the oil bath was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of C1PAMI in sulfolane. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass showed non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 4.364g DFBP (0.02 moles), 5.743g DCDPS (0.02 moles) and 13.423g BPA (0.059moles) were added sequentially. To the stirring mixture, 13.71 lg of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.129 moles) and 0.413 grams of HEGC1 (0.00117 mmol) were added as solids and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) was reached at 35256 Da in 35 hours with a PDI of 3.04. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 1.

Example 6: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide copolymer from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0056] A 500 milliliter 3-neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 2.164 grams of mPD (0.02 moles) and 7.367 grams of 4C1PA (0.0404 moles) were added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane was added and the mixture was stirred. The temperature of the oil bath was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of C1PAMI in sulfolane. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass showed non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 5.743g DCDPS (0.02 moles) and 8.948g BPA (0.0392 moles) were added sequentially. To the stirring mixture, 9.14g of Na ₂ C03 (0.086 moles) and 0.276 grams of HEGCl (0.0008 moles) were added as solids and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) was reached to 15091 Da in 35 hours with a PDI of 2.49. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 1.

Example 7: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide copolymer from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), difluorobenzophenone (DFBP), bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0057] A 500 milliliter 3-neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 2.164 grams of mPD (0.02 moles) and 7.367 grams of 4C1PA (0.0404 moles) were added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane was added and the mixture was stirred. The temperature of the oil bath was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of C1PAMI in sulfolane. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass showed non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 4.364g DFBP (0.02 moles) and 8.948g BPA (0.0392 moles) were added sequentially. To the stirring mixture, 9.14g of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.086 moles) and 0.276 grams of HEGCl (0.0008 moles) were added as solids and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) plateau was reached at 51282 Da in 27 hours with a PDI of 3.56. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 1. Example 8: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide copolymer from 4-chlorophthalic anhydride (4C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), Oxydianiline (ODA), Bisphenol A (BPA) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0058] A 500 milliliter 3-neck round bottomed flask (24/40) was equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask was also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket was connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver was topped with a reflux condenser. The flask was then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 2.704 grams of mPD (0.025 moles), 5.006 g ODA (0.025 moles) and 18.329 grams of 4C1PA (0.1004 moles) were added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane was added and the mixture was stirred. The temperature of the oil bath was slowly increased to 200°C. The initial solution converted into a thick white slurry of C1PAMI in sulfolane. The heating was continued for 4 hours and the slurry became slightly thinner. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass showed non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 11.30g BPA (0.0495 moles), 11.5434g of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.109 moles) and 0.348 grams of HEGCl with 25% NaCl (0.001 moles) were added as solids were added sequentially and the mixture was allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards showed a weight average molecular weight (Mw) was reached to 57909 Da in 33 hours with a PDI of 3.89. The polymer was isolated as described in Example 1.

Example 9: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride (3C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), 4,4'-biphenol (BP) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0059] A 500 milliliter 3-neck round bottomed flask (24/40) is equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask is also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket is connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver is topped with a reflux condenser. The flask is then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 5.409 g of mPD (0.05 moles) and 18.418g of 3C1PA (0.101 moles) are added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane is added and the mixture is stirred. The temperature of the oil bath is slowly increased to 200°C. The heating is continued for at least 4 hours. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass is measured for non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 9.124g BP (0.049 moles) is added. To the stirring mixture, 11.529g of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.108 moles) and 0.336 grams of HEGCl (0.001 moles) are added as solids and the mixture is allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards would show the Mw build. The polymer is isolated as described in Example 1. Example 10: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride (3C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), hydroquinone (HQ) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0060] A 500 milliliter 3 -neck round bottomed flask (24/40) is equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask is also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket is connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver is topped with a reflux condenser. The flask is then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 5.409 g of mPD (0.05 moles) and 18.418g of 3C1PA (0.101 moles) are added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane is added and the mixture is stirred. The temperature of the oil bath is slowly increased to 200°C. The heating is continued for at least 4 hours. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass is measured for non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 5.395g BP (0.049 moles) is added. To the stirring mixture, 11.529g of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.108 moles) and 0.336 grams of HEGC1 (0.001 moles) are added as solids and the mixture is allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards would show the Mw build. The polymer is isolated as described in Example 1.

Example 11: One-pot synthesis of polyetherimide from 3-chlorophthalic anhydride (3C1PA), metaphenylene diamine (mPD), dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), 4,4'-biphenol (BP) and sodium carbonate in sulfolane.

[0061] A 500 milliliter 3 -neck round bottomed flask (24/40) is equipped with an overhead stirrer. The flask is also connected to a nitrogen sweep and a nitrogen blanket. The nitrogen blanket is connected to a bubbler via a Dean-Stark trap with the arm connected to the flask wrapped in a heating tape. The Dean-Stark receiver is topped with a reflux condenser. The flask is then immersed into an oil bath at 50°C. Into the flask, 3.245 g of mPD (0.03 moles) and 11.051g of 3C1PA (0.0606 moles) are added. To the mixture in the flask, lOOg molten sulfolane is added and the mixture is stirred. The temperature of the oil bath is slowly increased to 200°C. The heating is continued for at least 4 hours. At that point, the UPLC analysis of the reaction mass is measured for non-detect amount of residual reactants. To the reaction mixture, 10.949g BP (0.0588 moles) is added. To the stirring mixture, 13.835g of Na ₂ C0 ₃ (0.1305 moles) and 0.403 grams of HEGC1 (0.0012 moles) are added as solids and the mixture is allowed to stir at 200 °C. GPC analysis relative to polystyrene standards would show the Mw build. The polymer is isolated as described in Example 1.

[0062] Table 1 summarizes the results of the Examples, which use different bases and solvents. As can be seen in the Table, K2CO3 alone did not provide high molecular weight polymer in either sulfolane or DPS as side reactions ensued. Low molecular weight polymer was provided when a combination of K2CO3 and Na ₂ C03 was used when using ODA as the diamine. Higher molecular weights were obtained with the addition of a catalyst, HEGC1.

[0063] This disclosure further encompasses the following aspects, which are non- limiting.

[0064] Aspect 1. A method of making a polyetherimide, the method comprising: contacting in a reaction vessel

a reactive substituted phthalic anhydride of the formula

an organic diamine of the formula

H2N-R-NH2,

optionally, a chain terminating agent, and optionally a imidization catalyst, in a polar aprotic solvent under conditions effective to provide a reaction mixture comprising a substituted bisphthalimide of the formula

adding to the reaction mixture in the reaction vessel an aromatic dihydroxy compound of the formula HO-Z-OH;

a base comprising an alkali metal carbonate, an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal bicarbonate, an alkali metal acetate, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; optionally, a chain termination agent; and optionally, a phase transfer catalyst; under conditions effective to provide a product mixture comprising the polyetherimide; wherein, in the foregoing formulas, X is chloro, bromo, fluoro, iodo, nitro, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; R is a C ₆ -20 aromatic hydrocarbon group or a halogenated derivative thereof, a straight or branched chain C2-20 alkylene group, or a halogenated derivative thereof, a C3-8 cycloalkylene group or halogenated derivative thereof, or a combination comprising at least one of the fore oing; and Z is a group of the formula

wherein R ^a and R ^b are each independently a halogen atom or a monovalent C _1-6 alkyl group, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, c is 0 to 4, and ^Xa is a single bond, -0-, -S-, - S(O)-, -SO2-, -C(O)-, or a C _1-18 organic bridging group.

[0065] Aspect 2. The method of Aspect 1, wherein X is chloro, preferably wherein the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride comprises 4-chlorophthalic anhydride, 3-chlorophthalic anhydride, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, more preferably wherein the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride comprises 4-chlorophthalic anhydride.

[0066] Aspect 3. The method of Aspect 1 or 2, wherein each R is independently a divalent roup of the formula

wherein Q ¹ is -0-, -S-, -C(O)-, -SO2-, -SO-, -Cyf y- or a halogenated derivative thereof, wherein y is an integer from 1 to 5, or -(C ₆ H ₁ o)z-, and wherein z is an integer from 1 to 4; preferably wherein each R is independently meta-phenylene, para-phenylene, 4,4'-diphenylene ether, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. [0067] T Aspect 4. he method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 3, wherein the polar aprotic solvent comprises sulfolane, diphenyl sulfone, dimethyl sulfoxide, N- methylpyrrolidinone, Ν,Ν-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, hexamethylphosphoramide, anisole, veratrole, diphenylether, phenetole, an ionic liquid, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, preferably sulfolane, diphenyl sulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing.

[0068] Aspect 5. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 4, wherein contacting the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine in the solvent is at a temperature of at least 130°C, or 150° to 275°C, or 160 to 250°C, or 170 to 200°C and for a time of 0.5 to 30 hours, or 1 to 20 hours, or 1 to 10 hours, or 2 to 8 hours, or 3 to 7 hours.

[0069] Aspect 6. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 5, wherein Z is 4,4'- diphenylene isopropylidene.

[0070] Aspect 7. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 6, wherein the base is an alkali metal carbonate, preferably wherein the base is sodium carbonate.

[0071] Aspect 8. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the method excludes the phase transfer catalyst.

[0072] Aspect 9. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 7, wherein the phase transfer catalyst is a hexaalkylguanidinium salt, more preferably wherein the phase transfer catalyst is hexaethylguanidinium chloride.

[0073] Aspect 10. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 9, wherein adding the aromatic dihydroxy compound, the alkali metal carbonate, and, optionally, the phase transfer catalyst to the reaction mixture, is at a temperature of at least 130°C, or 150° to 275°C, or 160 to 250°C, or 170 to 200°C and for a time of 0.5 to 100 hours, or 1 to 80 hours, or 10 to 75 hours, or 20 to 75 hours.

[0074] Aspect 11. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 10, wherein a dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound having the formula M ⁺ O-Z-0 ⁺ M is formed in situ after adding the dihydroxy aromatic compound, the alkali metal carbonate, and, optionally, the phase transfer catalyst to the reaction mixture.

[0075] Aspect 12. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 11, wherein the method further comprises isolating polyetherimide from the product mixture, preferably wherein isolating the polyetherimide is by filtration.

[0076] Aspect 13. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 12, wherein the method further comprises washing the polyetherimide, preferably washing the polyetherimide with acetone, a Ci-6 alcohol, water, a Ci-12 alkyl ketone, acetonitrile, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. [0077] Aspect 14. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 13, wherein the method further comprises drying the polyetherimide under heat, vacuum, or both.

[0078] Aspect 15. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 14, further comprising determining the stoichiometric molar ratio of the substituted phthalic anhydride to the organic diamine during the contacting of the substituted phthalic anhydride and the organic diamine, and optionally adjusting the stoichiometric molar ratio by adding additional substituted phthalic anhydride or organic diamine to the reaction mixture.

[0079] Aspect 16. A method of making a polyetherimide, the method comprising:

contacting in a reaction vessel a chlorophthalic anhydride of the formula

an organic diamine of the formula

H2N-R-NH2, and

optionally a chain terminating agent, in a polar aprotic solvent comprising sulfolane, diphenylsulfone, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing under conditions effective to provide a reaction mixture comprising a substituted bisphthalimide of the formula ; and

adding to the reaction mixture in the reaction vessel an aromatic dihydroxy compound of the formula

HO-Z-OH,

an alkali metal carbonate, optionally, a chain terminating agent, and optionally, a

hexaalkylguanidinium salt phase transfer catalyst; under conditions effective to provide a product mixture comprising the polyetherimide; wherein, in the foregoing formulas, each R is independently meta-phenylene, para-phenylene, 4,4'-diphenylene ether, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing; and Z is 4,4'- diphenylene isopropylidene.

[0080] Aspect 17. The method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 16, wherein the reaction mixture comprises less than or equal to 5 mole percent of an impurity having a structure derived from at least one monomer prior to addition of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, the alkali metal carbonate, and, optionally, the phase transfer catalyst, preferably wherein the impurity comprises residual reactive substituted phthalic anhydride or a derivative thereof, a product of reaction of one mole of the reactive substituted phthalic anhydride and one mole of the organic diamine, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing. [0081] Aspect 18. A polyetherimide prepared according to the method of any one or more of Aspects 1 to 17.

[0082] Aspect 19. The polyetherimide of Aspect 18, wherein the polyetherimide has a molecular weight of greater than or equal to 15,000 Da, or less than or equal to 20,000 Da, or 20,000 to 200,000 Da, or 30,000 to 150,000 Da, and a polydispersity index of 2 to 5.

[0083] Aspect 20. An article comprising the polymer composition of Aspect 18 or 19, optionally in combination with a second polymer.

[0084] The compositions, methods, and articles can alternatively comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of, any appropriate components or steps herein disclosed. The compositions, methods, and articles can additionally, or alternatively, be formulated so as to be devoid, or substantially free, of any steps, components, materials, ingredients, adjuvants, or species that are otherwise not necessary to the achievement of the function or objectives of the compositions, methods, and articles.

[0085] All ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. "Combinations" is inclusive of blends, mixtures, alloys, reaction products, and the like. The terms "a" and "an" and "the" do not denote a limitation of quantity, and are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. "Or" means "and/or" unless clearly stated otherwise. Reference throughout the specification to "some embodiments," "an embodiment," and so forth, means that a particular element described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment described herein, and may or may not be present in other embodiments. In addition, it is to be understood that the described elements may be combined in any suitable manner in the various embodiments.

[0086] Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this application belongs. All cited patents, patent applications, and other references are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. However, if a term in the present application contradicts or conflicts with a term in the incorporated reference, the term from the present application takes precedence over the conflicting term from the incorporated reference.

[0087] The term "alkyl" means a branched or straight chain, unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon group, e.g., methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, s-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, s- pentyl, and n- and s-hexyl. "Alkenyl" means a straight or branched chain, monovalent hydrocarbon group having at least one carbon-carbon double bond (e.g., ethenyl (-HC=CH ₂ )). "Alkoxy" means an alkyl group that is linked via an oxygen (i.e., alkyl-O-), for example methoxy, ethoxy, and sec-butyloxy groups. "Alkylene" means a straight or branched chain, saturated, divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon group (e.g., methylene (-CH2-) or, propylene (-(CH ₂ )3- )). "Cycloalkylene" means a divalent cyclic alkylene group, -C _n H ₂ n-x, wherein x is the number of hydrogens replaced by cyclization(s). "Cycloalkenyl" means a monovalent group having one or more rings and one or more carbon-carbon double bonds in the ring, wherein all ring members are carbon (e.g., cyclopentyl and cyclohexyl). "Aryl" means an aromatic hydrocarbon group containing the specified number of carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tropone, indanyl, or naphthyl. The prefix "halo" means a group or compound including one more of a fluoro, chloro, bromo, or iodo substituent. A combination of different halo groups (e.g., bromo and fluoro), or only chloro groups can be present. The prefix "hetero" means that the compound or group includes at least one ring member that is a heteroatom (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 heteroatom(s)), wherein the heteroatom(s) is each independently N, O, S, Si, or P. "Substituted" means that the compound or group is substituted with at least one (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4) substituents that can each independently be a C1-9 alkoxy, a C1-9 haloalkoxy, a nitro (-NO2), a cyano (-CN), a C _1-6 alkyl sulfonyl (-S(=0) ₂ -alkyl), a C ₆ -i2 aryl sulfonyl (-S(=0) ₂ -aryl)a thiol (-SH), a thiocyano (-SCN), a tosyl (CH ₃ C6H ₄ S02-), a C3-12 cycloalkyl, a C2-12 alkenyl, a C5-12 cycloalkenyl, a C ₆ -i2 aryl, a C7-13 arylalkylene, a C _4-1 2 heterocycloalkyl, and a C3-12 heteroaryl instead of hydrogen, provided that the substituted atom's normal valence is not exceeded. The number of carbon atoms indicated in a group is exclusive of any substituents. For example -CH2CH2CN is a C2 alkyl group substituted with a nitrile.

[0088] While particular embodiments have been described, alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents that are or may be presently unforeseen may arise to applicants or others skilled in the art. Accordingly, the appended claims as filed and as they may be amended are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications variations, improvements, and substantial equivalents.