Process for the removal of lower molecular weight fractions of poly(arylene sulfide) polymers.

摘要

A method is provided for selectively extracting the lower molecular weight fraction of a poly(arylene sulfide) polymer by contacting the polymer with a polar organic compound and a promoter compound to form a less dense polymer-lean liquid phase and a more dense polymer-rich liquid phase, separating the polymer-lean liquid phase from the polymer-rich liquid phase, and recovering the polymer from the polymer-rich phase. Alternatively, either of the phases can be isolated and polar organic compound and optionally promoter can be added to form two new phases, followed by isolation of the new polymer-rich phase. This process can be repeated as often as desired or practicable in order to recover polymer having a desired molecular weight and/or molecular weight distribution.