| abstract |
A method of manufacture of a polyetherimide copolymer composition includes contacting a substituted phthalic anhydride and an organic diamine in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents at a temperature of greater than 130° C. to provide a bis(phthalimide) composition comprising diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing solvents and a bis(phthalimide); and copolymerizing the bis(phthalimide), a substituted aromatic compound, and an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of diphenyl sulfone, sulfolane, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing to form a polyetherimide copolymer. The method does not require any catalyst either for the imidization or the polymerization. |