SYNTHESIS OF POLY(2,6-DIMETHYL-1,4-PHENYLENE ETHER) CATALYZED BY COPPER-DIAMINE SYSTEM

Oxidative polymerization of 2,6-dimethylphenol to poly(2,6-dimethyl-1, 4-phenylene ether) (PPE) was studied in a high-pressure batch reactor using a copper-diamine catalyst. In the presence of air, the effect of monomer sources, catalyst formulation (copper salts, ligands, surfact ant), and reaction conditions (air flow rate and pressure, temperature , agitation, monomer and catalyst concentrations) on the catalyst perf ormance was investigated. The sensitivity of PPE molecular weight and the sensitivity of polymerization rates to these factors were found to be quite different, indicating that little correlation existed betwee n the PPE molecular weight and the 2,6-DMP polymerization rates. Mecha nical test showed that the PPE produced with the copper-diamine cataly st had modulus significantly higher than that produced with the copper -dibutylamine catalyst system. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.