Method For Producing An Aromatic Diether And Corresponding Methods For Producing Polyaryl Ether Ketones

1 . A process for manufacturing an aromatic diether, comprising the reaction of a compound A comprising at least two halogenated aromatic groups with a compound B, B being an aromatic alkoxide, optionally in the presence of a compound C acting as reaction solvent, the molar proportion of compound B to compound A being at least 2:1 and the molar amount of compound C to compound A being, where appropriate, not more than 10:1.

2 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound A is a compound having the chemical formula:

X 1 —Ar—[Z i Ar i ] n —X 2   (II),

in which:

i is an integer ranging from 2 to 3, and n is an integer equal to 0 or 1;

X 1 and X 2 independently denote a halogen atom;

Ar and, for any i, Ar i independently denote a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group;

1,4-naphthylene, 1,5-naphthylene and 2,6-naphthylene; and

for any i, Z i independently denotes an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an alkylene group, a carbonyl group or a sulfonyl group.

3 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 2 , in which, in the chemical formula (II):

i is equal to 2 and n is equal to 1;

X 1 and X 2 both denote a chlorine atom or a fluorine atom;

Ar and Ar 2 both denote a 1,4-phenylene group;

Ar 1 denotes a 1,3-phenylene or 1,4-phenylene group; and

Z 1 and Z 2 both denote a carbonyl group.

4 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound B has the chemical formula:

Ar′—O −   (III),

in which:

Ar′ denotes a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aromatic group.

5 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound B is phenoxide.

6 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , in which the molar proportion of compound B to compound A is less than or equal to 3:1.

7 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound B is obtained by deprotonation of the aromatic alcohol B″, the conjugate acid of the aromatic alkoxide B, with a base reacted with B″, in situ or ex situ, to give compound B.

8 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 7 , in which said base reacted with B″ is a linear or branched alkoxide salt comprising from 3 to 10 carbon atoms.

9 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 7 , in which said base reacted with B″ is a carbonate salt.

10 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 7 , in which said base reacted with B″ is an alkali metal salt.

11 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 7 , in which said base reacted with B″ is sodium metal or potassium metal.

12 . The process as claimed in claim 7 , in which the molar proportion of said base reacted with B″ relative to B″ is less than or equal to 1:1.

13 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound C has a polarity measured at 20° C. of greater than or equal to 3 Debyes.

14 . The manufacturing process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound C is chosen from the list consisting of: C1-C6-alkyl-2-pyrrolidones, sulfoxides, sulfones, nitriles, N dimethylamides,

and a mixture thereof.

15 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , in which the molar proportion of compound C to compound A is less than or equal to 7.5:1.

16 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound A is reacted with compound B, in the absence of any solvent.

17 . The process as claimed in claim 1 , in which compound A is reacted in molten form with compound B.

18 . A process for manufacturing a polyaryl ether ketone polymer, comprising:

the manufacture of an aromatic diether as claimed in claim 1 ;

the reaction of said aromatic diether with a compound D comprising at least two acyl chloride groups.

19 . The process as claimed in claim 18 , in which compound D is a compound having the chemical formula:

ClC(O)—Ar—[Z j —Ar j ] m —C(O)Cl  (IV),

in which:

j is an integer ranging from 1 to 3 and m is an integer equal to 0 or 1;

Ar and, for any j, Ar j independently denote a substituted or unsubstituted divalent aromatic group; and,

for any j, Zj independently denotes an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, an alkylene group, or a sulfone.

20 . The process as claimed in claim 18 , in which:

said aromatic diether is chosen from the list consisting of:

or a mixture thereof;

said compound D is chosen from the list of compounds consisting of:

or a mixture thereof.

21 . The process as claimed in claim 14 , in which compound C is diphenyl sulfone.