Polyetherimide compositions and methods for the manufacture and use thereof

1. A method of producing an article having low estradiol binding activity comprising,

identifying an article for which estradiol binding activity is to be low,

selecting one or more phenolic monomers from di-t-butyl hydroquinones and bis-(hydroxy aryl)-N-aryl isoindolinones,

or,

selecting at least two phenolic monomers from one of:

(a) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, resorcinol, hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(b) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(c) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, methyl hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(d) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, resorcinol, hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

(e) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

and,

(f) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, methyl hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

wherein each of said monomers do not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors, and

manufacturing the article with a polyetherimide composition comprising repeating units derived from the one or more phenolic monomers, and wherein one or more residual phenolic monomers are present at more than zero but less than or equal to 1,000 ppm and do not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyetherimide is end capped with phenol.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyetherimide is a co-polyetherimide comprising repeating units derived from the two or more phenolic monomers.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyetherimide composition further comprises one or more additives and wherein each of the one or more additives does not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more additive comprises a stabilizer, antioxidant, colorant, impact modifier, flame retardant, anti drip additive, mold release additive, lubricant, plasticizer, mineral, reinforcement additive, or any combination thereof.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the one or more additive comprises a phosphite and wherein when the phosphite, phosphonate or mixture thereof is subjected to conditions effective to provide one or more phosphite, or phosphonate hydrolysis product, each of the one or more phosphite or phosphonate hydrolysis products does not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the phosphite comprises a diphenyl alkyl phosphite, phenyl dialkyl phosphite, trialkyl phosphite, dialkyl phosphite, triphenyl phosphite, diphenyl pentaerythritol diphosphite, or any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 6 , wherein the phosphite has a Mw greater than 200 Daltons.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyetherimide composition further comprises:

a) a Mw in the range of from 3,000 to 80,000 Daltons;

b) a phenolic end group content less than 20 meq/kg;

c) a chloride content less than 1000 ppm; and

d) a transition metal content less than 20 ppm; and

wherein the one or more residual phenolic monomers are present at more than zero but less than 100 ppm.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the polyetherimide composition has a Tg from 200 to 320° C., a weight gain on immersion in water for 24 hours at 23° C. of less than 3.5%, and a coefficient of expansion from 30 to 50 ppm/° C.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the article is manufactured by injection molding.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the article is a food service article, a medical use article, or a personal electronics article.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the article is a drinking glass, a bottle, a syringe, a tray, a handle, a computer enclosure, or a cell phone housing.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein the article is a pitcher, a connector, a filter housing, a pipe, a keycap, a film, or a coating.

15. A method of producing a handle or tray having low estradiol binding activity comprising,

selecting one or more phenolic monomers from di-t-butyl hydroquinones and bis-(hydroxy aryl)-N-aryl isoindolinones,

or,

selecting at least two phenolic monomers from one of:

(a) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, resorcinol, hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(b) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(c) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, methyl hydroquinone, and biphenols;

(d) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, resorcinol, hydroquinone, methyl hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

(e) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

and,

(f) di-t-butyl hydroquinone, spiro biindane bisphenols, methyl hydroquinone, and tetramethyl bisphenol-A;

wherein each of said monomers do not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors, and

manufacturing the handle or tray with a polyetherimide composition comprising repeating units derived from the one or more phenolic monomers, and wherein one or more residual phenolic monomers are present at more than zero but less than or equal to 1,000 ppm and do not exhibit a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) less than 0.00025M for alpha or beta in vitro estradiol receptors.

16. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the phenolic monomers in the polyetherimide composition consist of the selected phenolic monomers.

17. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the phenolic monomers in the polyetherimide composition consist of the selected phenolic monomers.