Production of P-Phenylene Sulfide Polymers

This invention relates to the production of p-phenylene sulfide polymers. In one of its aspects this invention relates to a novel method for producing novel p-phenylene sulfide polymers, and to the polymers themselves. In another of its aspects this invention relates to producing p-phenylene sulfide polymers of higher molecular weight using a specific chemical compound in the reaction mixture than are produced without using the specific chemical compound in the reaction mixture. In yet another of its aspects this invention relates to the use of an alkali metal sulfonate in the reaction mixture in the production of p-phenylene sulfide polymers.

The preparation of p-phenylene sulfide polymers having higher molecular weight as evidenced by lower melt flow without curing the polymers as compared to p-phenylene sulfide polymers known in the art is of particular interest since lower melt flows, particularly within the range of 1 to about 700 as determined by the method of ASTM D 1238-70, are particularly useful in the production of fibers, molded objects and filaments since the usual curing step is obviated.

It is therefore an object of this invention to produce p-phenylene sulfide polymers of increased molecular weight as compared to those produced by prior art methods.

Other aspects, objects and the various advantages of this invention will become apparent upon reading this specification and the appended claims.

In accordance with this invention, in the production of a p-phenylene sulfide polymer by contacting at least one p-dihalobenzene, at least one alkali metal sulfide, and at least one organic amide to form a composition, the use, additionally, of at least one alkali metal sulfonate results in a p-phenylene sulfide polymer of higher molecular weight, as evidenced by a lower melt flow and a higher inherent viscosity, than that obtained without the addition of an alkali metal sulfonate to the composition.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one p-dihalobenzene is reacted, under polymerization conditions for a period of time sufficient to form a p-phenylene sulfide polymer, with a mixture in which at least one alkali metal sulfide, at least one alkali metal sulfonate, and at least one organic amide are contacted.

P-Dihalobenzenes which can be employed in the process of this invention can be represented by the formula ##STR1## where each X is selected from the group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine, and each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydrocarbyl in which the hydrocarbyl can be an alkyl, cycloalkyl, or aryl radical or combination thereof such as alkaryl, aralkyl, or the like, the total number of carbon atoms in each molecule being within the range of 6 to about 24, with the proviso that in at least 50 mole percent of the p-dihalobenzene employed each R must be hydrogen.

Examples of some p-dihalobenzenes which can be employed in the process of this invention include p-dichlorobenzene, p-dibromobenzene, p-diiodobenzene, 1-chloro-4-bromobenzene, 1-chloro-4-iodobenzene, 1-bromo-4-iodobenzene, 2,5-dichlorotoluene, 2,5-dichloro-p-xylene, 1-ethyl-4-isopropyl-2,5-dibromobenzene, 1,2,4,5-tetramethyl-3,6-dichlorobenzene, 1-butyl-4-cyclohexyl-2,5-dibromobenzene, 1-hexyl-3-dodecyl-2,5-dichlorobenzene, 1-octadecyl-2,5-diiodobenzene, 1-phenyl-2-chloro-5-bromobenzene, 1-p-tolyl-2,5-dibromobenzene, 1-benzyl-2,5-dichlorobenzene, 1-octyl-4-(3-methylcyclopentyl)-2,5-dichlorobenzene, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Alkali metal sulfides which can be employed in the process of this invention include lithium sulfide, sodium sulfide, potassium sulfide, rubidium sulfide, cesium sulfide, and mixtures thereof. The alkali metal sulfide can be used in anhydrous form, as a hydrate, or as an aqueous mixture.

Alkali metal sulfonates which can be employed in the process of this invention can be represented by the formula R'SO.sub.3 M, where R' is a hydrocarbyl radical selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl, and combinations thereof such as alkaryl, aralkyl, and the like, the number of carbon atoms in said R' being within the range of 1 to about 20, and M is an alkali metal selected from lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium.

Examples of some alkali metal sulfonates which can be employed in the process of this invention include lithium methanesulfonate, sodium ethanesulfonate, potassium 2-propanesulfonate, sodium 1-butanesulfonate, rubidium 3-hexanesulfonate, lithium 1-decanesulfonate, sodium 2-ethyl-1-dodecanesulfonate, cesium 1-eicosanesulfonate, potassium cyclohexanesulfonate, lithium 3-methylcyclopentanesulfonate, sodium cyclohexylmethanesulfonate, sodium benzenesulfonate, rubidium p-toluenesulfonate, cesium 2-phenylethanesulfonate, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

The organic amides for use in the process of this invention should be substantially liquid at the reaction temperatures and pressures employed. The amides can be cyclic or acyclic and can have 1 to about 10 carbon atoms per molecule. Examples of some suitable amides include formamide, acetamide, N-methylformamide, N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-ethylpropionamide, N,N-dipropylbutyramide, 2-pyrrolidone, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, .epsilon.-caprolactam, N-methyl-.epsilon.-caprolactam, N,N'-ethylenedi-2-pyrrolidone, hexamethylphosphoramide, tetramethylurea, and the like, and mixtures thereof.

Although the mole ratio of p-dihalobenzene to alkali metal sulfide can vary over a considerable range, generally it will be within the range of about 0.9:1 to about 2:1, preferably about 0.95:1 to about 1.2:1. The mole ratio of alkali metal sulfonate to alkali metal sulfide can vary over a wide range but generally will be within the range of about 0.05:1 to about 4:1, preferably about 0.1:1 to about 2:1. The amount of organic amide can vary greatly, generally being within the range of about 100 grams to about 2500 grams per gram-mole of alkali metal sulfide.

Although the reaction temperature at which the polymerization is conducted can vary over a wide range, generally it will be within the range of about 125.degree. C. to about 450.degree. C., preferably about 175.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. The reaction time can vary widely, depending in part on the reaction temperature, but generally will be within the range of about 10 minutes to about 72 hours, preferably about 1 hour to about 8 hours. The pressure should be sufficient to maintain the p-dihalobenzene and organic amide substantially in the liquid phase.

It is to be understood that the process of this invention can be carried out by mixing the p-dihalobenzene, the alkali metal sulfide, the alkali metal sulfonate, and the organic amide in any order. It is also to be understood that a composite can be formed of any two or more of these substances with the remaining substance or substances being introduced into the composite. Furthermore, it is to be understood that these substances can be employed in the form of aqueous mixtures or hydrates and that subsequent to any step of contacting substances water can be removed from the resulting composition, e.g., by distillation. For instance, water can be removed by distillation from a mixture of the organic amide, the alkali metal sulfonate, and the alkali metal sulfide in hydrated form or as an aqueous mixture, after which the residual mixture can be admixed with the p-dihalobenzene and the resulting mixture then maintained at polymerization conditions.

The p-phenylene sulfide polymers produced by the process of this invention can be separated from the reaction mixture by conventional procedures, e.g., by filtration of the polymer, followed by washing with water, or by dilution of the reaction mixture with water, followed by filtration and water washing of the polymer.

The p-phenylene sulfide polymers produced by the process of this invention can be blended with fillers, pigments, extenders, other polymers, and the like. They can be cured through crosslinking and/or chain extension, e.g., by heating at temperatures up to about 480.degree. C. in the presence of a free oxygen-containing gas, to provide cured products having high thermal stability and good chemical resistance. They are useful in the production of coatings, films, molded objects, and fibers.

In the following Examples, melt flow values were determined by the method of ASTM D 1238-70, modified to a temperature of 600.degree. F. (316.degree. C.) using a 5-kg weight, the value being expressed as g/10 min. Values for inherent viscosity were determined at 206.degree. C. in 1-chloronaphthalene at a polymer concentration of 0.4 g/100 ml solution. Values for glass transition temperature (Tg) and crystalline melting point (T.sub.m) were determined on premelted and quenched polymer samples by differential thermal analysis.

In a control run outside the scope of this invention, 65.2 g (0.5 mole, 60 percent assay) sodium sulfide, 0.2 g sodium hydroxide (to react with sodium bisulfide and sodium thiosulfate present in trace amounts in the sodium sulfide), and 158.3 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were charged to a stirred 1-liter autoclave. Dehydration of the mixture by heating to 205.degree. C. yield 16 ml of distillate containing 14.3 g water. To the residual mixture were charged 74.95 g (0.51 mole) p-dichlorobenzene and 40 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The resulting mixture was heated for 3 hours at 265.degree. C. at a pressure of 75-130 psig. The reaction product was washed eight times with hot water and dried at 80.degree. C. under nitrogen in a vacuum over to obtain a yield of 51.1 g poly(p-phenylene sulfide) having a melt flow of 3843, an inherent viscosity of 0.16, a Tg of 84.degree. C., and a T.sub.m of 285.degree. C.

In a run within the scope of this invention, 65.2 g (0.5 mole, 60 percent assay) sodium sulfide, 0.2 g sodium hydroxide (to react with sodium bisulfide and sodium thiosulfate present in trace amounts in the sodium sulfide), 90.1 g (0.5 mole) sodium benzenesulfonate, and 158.3 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were charged to a stirred 1-liter autoclave. Dehydration of the mixture by heating to 205.degree. C. yielded 12 ml of distillate containing 11.7 g water. To the residual mixture were charged 74.95 g (0.51 mole) p-dichlorobenzene and 40 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The resulting mixture was heated for 3 hours at 265.degree. C. at a pressure of 80-120 psig. The reaction product was washed eight times with hot water and dried at 80.degree. C. under nitrogen in a vacuum oven to obtain a yield of 42.0 g poly(p-phenylene sulfide) having a melt flow of 2121, an inherent viscosity of 0.21, a Tg of 81.degree. C., and a T.sub.m of 285.degree. C.

Thus, based on melt flow and inherent viscosity, the poly(p-phenylene sulfide) produced in this Example was of higher molecular weight than that produced in Example I.

In another run within the scope of this invention, 65.2 g (0.5 mole, 60 percent assay) sodium sulfide, 0.2 g sodium hydroxide (to react with sodium bisulfide and sodium thiosulfate present in trace amounts in the sodium sulfide), 80.1 g (0.5 mole) sodium 1-butanesulfonate, and 158.3 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone were charged to a stirred 1-liter autoclave. Dehydration of the mixture by heating to 205.degree. C. yielded 16 ml of distillate containing 14.8 g water. To the residual mixture were added 74.95 g (0.51 mole) p-dichlorobenzene and 40 g N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The resulting mixture was heated for 3 hours at 265.degree. C. at a pressure of 80-100 psig. The reaction product was washed eight times with hot water and dried at 80.degree. C. under nitrogen in a vacuum oven to obtain a yield of 41.3 g poly(p-phenylene sulfide) having a melt flow of 3237, an inherent viscosity of 0.17, a Tg of 79.degree. C., and a T.sub.m of 286.degree. C.

Thus, based on melt flow and inherent viscosity, the poly(p-phenylene sulfide) produced in this Example was of higher molecular weight than that produced in Example I.