Removing copper-amine catalyst from polyphenylene ether (PPE)

摘要

A process is claimed for removing the catalyst in the prodn. of high-mol. wt. polyphenylene ether (PPE) from mono-phenols with alkyl or aryl substits. in both o-positions or also in one m-position but not in the p-position, by oxidative coupling with oxygen at 10-60 deg.C in the presence of a Cu salt/amine catalyst and a 6-10C aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The catalyst is removed by prestabilisation with aq. NaHSO3 soln. as reducing agent, followed by 2-stage counter-current extn. with aq. (NH4)2SO4 soln.