Morpholine-substituted poly(arylene ether) and method for the preparation thereof
View Patent ↗A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) prepared using a morpholine-containing polymerization catalyst has a monomodal molecular weight distribution with a reduced content of very high molecular weight species. It also exhibits increased morpholine incorporation in the high molecular weight fraction. Compared to commercially available poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) prepared using a di-n-butylamine-containing polymerization catalyst, the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of the invention exhibits reduced odor. Compared to other poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) prepared using a morpholine-containing polymerization catalyst, the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of the invention exhibits improved molecular weight build during compounding and improved compatibilization with polyamides.
1. A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether),
wherein a purified sample of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) prepared by dissolution of the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) in toluene, precipitation from methanol, reslurry, and isolation
has a monomodal molecular weight distribution in the molecular weight range of 250 to 1,000,000 atomic mass units, and
comprises less than or equal to 2.2 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight more than fifteen times the number average molecular weight of the entire purified sample;
wherein the purified sample after separation into six equal poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) weight fractions of decreasing molecular weight comprises a first, highest molecular weight fraction; and
wherein the first, highest molecular weight fraction comprises at least 10 mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group.
2. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 , wherein the purified sample comprises less or equal to 2.4 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight greater than seven times the peak molecular weight of the entire purified sample.
3. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 , wherein the purified sample comprises less than or equal to 3.2 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight greater than five times the peak molecular weight of the entire purified sample.
4. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 , wherein the first, highest molecular weight fraction comprises 10 to 40 mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group.
5. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 , wherein the purified sample comprises 0.1 to 2.2 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight more than fifteen times greater than the number average molecular weight of the entire purified sample.
6. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 ,
wherein the first, highest molecular weight fraction comprises 10 to 40 mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group; and
wherein the purified sample comprises 0.1 to 2.2 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight more than fifteen times greater than the number average molecular weight of the entire purified sample.
7. The poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) of claim 1 ,
wherein the purified sample after separation into six equal poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) weight fractions of decreasing molecular weight comprises
a first, highest molecular weight fraction characterized by a first fraction mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group, and
a sixth, lowest molecular weight fraction characterized by a sixth fraction mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group, and
wherein a ratio of the sixth fraction mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group to the first fraction mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group is less than or equal to 4.