Method for making aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s
[4 1 Apr. 22, 1975 METHOD FOR MAKING AROMATIC BIS(ETHER ANHYDRlDElS lnventors: Darrell R. Heath, Pittsfield. Mass;  
 Tohru Takekoshi, Scotia, N.Y.  
 General Electric Company, Schenectady, NY.  
 Filed: Mar. 30, 1973 Appl. No: 346,473  
 Assignee:  
 U.S. Cl 260/346.3; 260/304 R; 260/78; 260/326 A; 260/326 N; 260/516; 260/520; 260/326 S Int. Cl. C07c 63/48; C07c 63/00 Field of Search 260/3463, 326 S References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1974 Heath ct al. 260/3463 Primary E.\&#39;aminerHenry R. Jiles Assistant Examiner-Bernard l. Dentz Attorney, Agent. or FirmWilliam A. Teoli; .loseph T. Cohen; Jerome C. Squillaro v [57] ABSTRACT Aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s can be made by a nitro displacement of an N-substituted nitrophthalimide with an alkali (diphenoxide to produce an intermediate aromatic bis(etherphthalimide). Hydrolysis of the aromatic bis(etherphthalimide) to the corresponding tetra-acid salt followed by acidification and dehydration, results in the production of the aromatic bis(ether anhydride). These anhydrides can be used as intermediates for making polyimides. The intermediate aromatic bis(etherphthalimide) can be employed as a plasticizer in polyimide resins.  
 12 Claims, No Drawings METHOD FOR MAKING AROMATIC BIS(ETHER ANHYDRIDE)S &#39;The present invention relates to a method for making aromatic bis(ethe r anhydride)s from N-substituted nitrophthalimides by a nitro displacement reaction with bisphenolate. followed by phthalimide ring openings to the tetra acid salt. acidification. and subsequent dehydration. The intermediate aromatic bis(etherimide) is also provided.  
 CH Br CH Br The aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s which can be made by the method of the present invention have the following formula,  
 . c 8 o O-R-O where R is a divalent aromatic radical having from 6-30 carbon atoms.  
 In accordance with the present invention the aromatic bis( ether anhydride )s of formula (I) can be made by (I) effecting nitro displacement of a nitrophthalimide of the formula.  
 with an alkali diphenoxide of the formula.  
  M-O-R-0-M to produce an intermediate aromatic bis(etherphthalimide). (2) hydrolyzing the aromatic bis(etherphthalimide) with base to produce a tetra-acid salt, (3) acidifying the tetra-acid salt to produce the tetra-acid, and  
 (4) dehydrating the tetra-acid to the aromatic bis(ether anhydride) where R is as previously defined, M is a metal ion of an alkali metal selected from the class consisting of sodium. potassium, lithium. etc. and R is a monovalent organo radical selected from the class consisting of C alkyl radicals. and organic radicals hav- .ing from 6-20 carbon atoms. selected from the class consisting of aromatic hydrocarbon radicals and halogenated derivatives thereof.  
 Radicals included by R are more particularly CH CH Br vCH Br Br Br Br and (b) divalent organic radicals of the general formula where X is a member selected from the class consisting of divalent radicals of the formulas, -C ,H  
 Br CH and an organic amine, RNi-l where R is as previously defined in the presence of refluxing acetic acid. Included by such organic amines are, for example, an line, toluidine, ete., methylaminc, ethylamine, etc. Ni-  
 trophthalimides included by formula (11) are, for example, N-phenyl-3-nitrophthalimide, N-phenyl-4- nitrophthalimide, N-methyl-3-nitrophthalimide. N-butyl-4-nitrophthalimide. etc.  
  A significant feature of the present invention is that a nitrophthalimide of formula (11) and an alkali diphenoxide of formula (111) can be reacted at from 5C to 100C and preferably ambient to 70C to produce the corresponding aromatic bis(etherphthalimide) intermediate. This result is quite surprising in view of the teaching of Lyman R. Caswell in the Robert A. Welch Foundation Annual Report. Houston. Texas 1970), on page 58, which suggests a significant difference between the reactivities of 3- and 4-nitro-N-substituted phthalimides with sodium methoxide. A further advantage of the present invention is demonstrated by the teaching of German Offenlegungschrift 2.155.431, showing that temperatures of at least 150C are required to couple N-substituted 4-chlorophthalimides with alkali metal dihydroxy cyclic compounds where as indicated above. the method of the subject invention allows for temperatures as low as 5C.  
  Included by the aromatic bis(ether anhydride)s of formula (1), are compounds selected from O O v? @v 8 O-R O o &#39;9 &#39;c&#39; /c\ 0/ .Ca 0 (VI) 8 0--R 8 where R is as previously defined. These dianhydrides can be employed to make polyetherimides which can be injection molded to useful products.  
  Included by the alkali metal salts of the above described alkali diphenoxides of formula (I) are sodium and potassium salts of the following dihydric phenols 2.2-bis-(2-hydroxyphenyl)propane; 2.4-dihydroxydiphenylmethane; bis-(Z-hydroXyphenyUmethane; 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane hereinafter identified as bisphenol-A&#34; or &#34;BPA;&#34; l,1-bis-( 4-hydroxyphenyl )ethane; l,1-bis-( 4-hydroxyphenyl )propane;  
 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane; 3.3-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane; 4,4-dihydroxybiphenyl; 4,4&#39;-dihydroxy-3,3.5,5&#39;-tetramethylbiphenyl; 2.4&#39;-dihydroxybenzophenone; 4,4&#39;-dihydroxydiphcnylsulfone; 2,4&#39;-dihydroxydiphenylsulfone; 4.4-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfoxide; 4,4&#39;-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide; hydroquinone;  
 resorcinol; 3,4&#39;-dihydroxydiphenylmethane; 4,4&#39;-dihydroxybenzophenone;  
 and 4,4&#39;-dihydroxydiphenylether.  
  1n the practice of the invention, reaction is effected between the nitrophthalimide, or nitroimide&#34; of formula 11. and the alkali diphenoxide or diphenoxide to produce an aromatic bis(etherphthalimide) or bisimide.&#34; The bisimide is thereafter hydrolyzed with base to the tetra-acid salt, which is thereafter acidified to the tetra-acid; the tetra acid can then be dehydrated to the corresponding aromatic bis(ether anhydride) or bisanhydride&#34; of formula 1.  
  Reaction between the nitroimide and diphenoxide to produce the bisimide can be effected under an inert gas atmosphere such as nitrogen at 5C to 100C under substantially anhydrous conditions and in the presence of dipolar aprotic organic solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide, N,N?dimethylformamide. N-methylpyrrolidine, N,N-dimethylacetamide, etc. Mixtures of such solvents with non-polar solvents such as toluene, chlorobenzene. etc. also can be employed. Reaction time can vary between one minute to 100 minutes or more depending upon temperature, degree of agitation, etc. A proportion of from 1.8 to 2.5 moles of nitroimide, per mole of diphenoxide can be used.  
  Hydrolysis of the bisimide to the tetra-acid slt can be effected under reflux conditions in the presence of a base such as an alkali hydroxide, for example, sodium hydroxide, etc. Reaction time can vary from 1 to 24 hours or more depending upon reactants, degree of agitation, temperature, etc. The organic amine by-product can be removed by standard procedures, such as steam distillation, etc. In addition, the rate of hydrolysis is greatly accelerated by carrying out the reaction at above atmospheric pressures at temperatures in the range of from 100 to 220C.  
  The tetra-acid salt can thereafter be acidified with a mineral acid, such as a dilute aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid, etc. The resulting tetra-acid canbe dehydrated by standard techniques. For example, reflux.- ing with a dehydrating agent such as acetic anhydride, etc. the dianhydride can be recrystallized by standard 5 procedures.  
  In order that those skilled in the art will be better able to practice the invention, the following examples are given by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. All parts are by weight.  
 . of dimethylsulfoxide, 10 ml of benzene, and 0.8 g of sodium hydroxide as a 50% aqueous solution was stirred and heated to reflux in a nitrogen atmosphere over a Dean Stark trap for 5 hours. The benzene was distilled until the temperature of the reaction mixture exceeded C and the mixture was cooled to 15C. Then 5.36g  
 (0.02 mol) of N-phenyl-3-nitrophthalimide and ml of dimethylsulfoxide were added. The solution was stirred for minutes at room temperature and 30 minutes at 50C. cooled, and added to 600 ml of water. The gummy solid which separated was extracted into methylene chloride and the organic solution dried with sodium sulfate. filtered. and evaporated to leave an oil. The oil solidified when slurried with hot ethanol to give 5.6g (85% yield) of crude product. Recrystallization from acetonitrile gave fine white needles melting at 187-188.5C. Anal. Calcd. for C. H ..N O C. 77.0; H. 4.47; N. 4.18. Found: C. 77.1; H. 4.6; N. 4.2. Based on the above preparation and elemental analysis. there was obtained 2.2-bis[4-( N-phenylphthalimid-3- oxy )phenyl l-propane.  
 A mixture of 81.5g of 2.2-bisl4-(N- A mixture of 459g of 2.2-bis[4-(2.3-  
 -dicarboxyphenoxy)pheny11propane. 400 cc of glacial acetic acid. and 25 cc of acetic anhydride was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. There was obtained 34.2g of an off-white solid when the mixture was filtered. The product was recrystallized from toluene/acetic acid to give 3 t 0g of white needles; m.p. 186l87.5C. Anal. Calcd. for C ,H ..O,.: C. 71.5; H. 4.]. Found: C. 71.4; H. 3.8. Based on method of preparation and elemental analysis. the product was 2.2-bis[4-(2.3- dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane dianhydride.  
 EXAMPLE 2 A mixture of 29.8g (0.131 mol) of bisphenol-A. 10.44g of sodium hydroxide in the form of a 50% aqueous solution. 250 cc of dimethylsulfoxide. and 66 cc of toluene was stirred in a nitrogen atmosphere at reflux for 7 hours Final drying was effected by refluxing the toluene over a recirculating trap filled with calcium hydride. The toluene was removed by distillation and the reaction mixture was cooled to 60C. Then 70.0g (0.26 mol) of N-phenyl-4-nitrophthalimide and 250 cc of dimethylsulfoxide were added; the resulting solution was stirred at 60C for 45-minutes. There was added 25 cc of glacialacetic acid; the reaction mixture was then diluted with 1.400g of water. A fine solid separated; it was isolated by filtration. washed with water. and dried. After recrystallization from acetonitrile and from benzene there was obtained 44.4g of white needles. m.p. 214C. Anal. Calcd. for C H No z C. 77.0; H. 4.51; N. 4.18. Found: C. 76.7; H. 4.5; N. 4.1. Based on method of preparation and elemental analysis the product was 2.2-bis[4-(N-pheriylphthalimid 4-oxy phenyl]- propane. I i V A zmixture L of 60.2g of 2.2-bisl4-(N- phenylphthalimid-4-oxy)phenyllpropane. 57.37g of an aqueous 50% sodium. hydroxide solution. and 350 cc of water was heated for 25 hours at 160l75C under 150 psi pressure. The mixture was then steam distilled for 45 minutes. The aqueous residue was acidified with hydrochloric acid. A product separated from the aqueous solution. which was washed with water and recrystallized from 50% acetic acid. There was obtained 329g of product; m.p. 208-2l6C. Anal Calcd. for C H O C. 66.9; H. 4.3. Found: C. 66.5; H. 4.4. Based on method of preparation and elemental analysis. there was obtained 2.2-bis[4-(3.4-  
 l0 dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyll-propane.  
  A mixture of 24.7g (0.05 mol) of 2.2-bis[4-(3.4- dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyl]propane. 250 cc of glacial acetic acid. and 12.8g of acetic anhydride was stirred at reflux for 2.5 hours. The solution was concentrated on a rotary evaporator. A white crystalline product separated on cooling. The product was isolated by filtration. washed with cold acetic acid. and dried in vacuo. The material was recrystallized from a toluene/acetic acid mixture to give 20g of product. m.p. l87l90C. Anal Calcd. for C H O C. 71.5; H. 4.1. Found: C. 72.0; H. 3.8. Based on method of preparation and elemental analysis. the product was 2.2-bis[4-(3.4- dicarboxyphenoxy)phenyllpropane dianhydride.  
 EXAMPLE 3 A mixture of 1.10g (0.01 mol) of hydroquinone. 0.8g of sodium hydroxide as a 50% aqueous solution. 30 ml of dimethylsulfoxide. and 10 ml of benzene was stirred in a nitrogen atmosphere at reflux over a Dean Stark trap for 3 hours. The benzene was removed by distillation until the temperature of the reaction mixture exceeded 140C; the mixture was then cooled to 15C. There were added 5.36g (0.02 mol) of N-pheny1-3- nitrophthalimide. and 20 ml of dimethylsulfoxide. The solution was stirred for 20 minutes at l5-20C. 20 minutes at 30C and for 20 minutes at 40C. After cooling the reaction mixture. there was added thereto 400 m1 of water. A crude product was isolated by filtration. The crude product was dissolved in 700 ml of boiling ethylene glycol and separated from the cold solution as fine white needles. The recrystallized product was dried in vacuo at l 10C. There was obtained 3.8g yield) of product. m.p. 3l23l3C. Anal. Calcd. for C .H- N O C. 73.9; H. 3.62; N. 5.07. Found: C. 73.8; H. 3.9; N. 5.0. Based on method of preparation and elemental analysis the product was l.4-bis(N- phenylphthalimid-3-oxy)benzene.  
  A mixture of 54.2g of l.4-bis(N-phenylphthalimid-3- oxy)benzene. 54.4g of a 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution, and cc of water was stirred at reflux for 24 hours. There was added with stirring at reflux an additional 200g of water. The mixture was stirred for 2 more days. The mixture was steam distilled. A product separated when the aqueous solution was acidified. The crude material was isolated by filtration to give 46.6g of product. The product was then mixed with 55g of 50% sodium hydroxide and 500g of water. It was heated at C for 2 hours under sealed conditions. Acidification of the cooled solution with concentrated hydrochloric acid gave 41.1g of crude product. Recrystallization from a 50/50 mixture of water-acetic acid gave 39.3g of white powder; m.p. 305-3l5C. The product was found to be the acetic acid adduct of 1.4- bis(2.3-dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene. Anal. Calcd. for C H O 2CH COOH: C, 55.92; H. 3.97. Found: C. 56.0; H. 4.1. Acid number: Calculated. 10.74 meq/g; Found. 10.4 meq/g.  
  A mixture of 39.3g (010901 mol) of l,4-bis(2,3- dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene. 400 cc of glacial acetic acid. and 25 cc of acetic anhydride was stirred at reflux for 3 hours. The solution was cooled and filtered. Based on method of preparation. the product was l.4-bis(2.3-  
 dicarboxyphenoxy)benzene dianhydride.  
 EXAMPLE 4 A series of bisimides were prepared in accordance with the present invention by effecting the nitrodisplacement of a nitrophthalimide of formula ll, with an alkali diphenoxide of formula III. The bisimides were included by the following formula,  
  o /&#39;c&#39;\ &#39;0&#39; (VII R N @oaog NR C c (i b I where R and R are as previously defined.  
  The following tables show the bisimides prepared where R and R are as defined in Table l and the calculated values for the elemental analysis are shown in Table 2.  
 TABLE 1 Properties of Bisimitles |n.p. R R&#39; 1.5.* (C) 187.5- l 1.4-Benzene n-Butyl 3 188.5  
  270- (2) l.3-Benzene Phcnyl 3 272 303- (3) 4.4-Biphenyl Phenyl 3 304.5  
  3] l- (4) 4.4&#39;-Biphenyl Phenyl 4 3 l 3 239.5- (5 4.4&#39;-Diphenylether Phenyl 3 242.5  
  305.5 (6) 4.4 &#39;-Diphenylether Phenyl 4 308.5 (7) 4.4 &#39;-Diphenyl- Phenyl 3 284- sulfide 285 (8) 4.4&#39;-Diphcnyl- Phenyl 4 229- sulfide 230 (9) Z.2-Bis( 4-phenyl n-Butyl 3 propane 95-98 l0) 2.2-Bis( 4-phenyl n-Butyl 4 propane 88-90 236.5- l l 4.4&#39;-Benzophenone Phenyl 3 238.5 l2) 2.2-Bis(4-phenyl)- Methyl 3 208.5  
  propane 209 l 3 2.2-Bis( 4-phenyl Methyl 4 I29- propane 130 lsnmeric Structure TABLE 2 Elemental Analysis of the Above Bisimides C H N S (Calcd.)  
 TABLE 2 Continued Elemental Analysis of the Above Bisimides c H N S (Calcd.)  
  The above bisimides can be employed as plasticizers for organic polymers such as polyvinylchloride. polyimides. etc; these bisimides can withstand oxidation at high temperatures.  
  Although the above examples are limited to only a few of the very many bisimides which are provided by the present invention, it should be understood that the bisimides provided by the invention are broadly shown by formula VI].  
  In addition to the dianhydride shown by the above examples. it should be understood that the method of the invention broadly provides dianhydride shown by formula I.  
  What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters 30 Patent of the United States:  
  1. A method for making an aromatic-bis(ether anhydride) which comprises a. effecting the nitro displacement of a nitrophthalimide of the formula,  
  II C 1 N0 \/N-R II O with an alkali diphe hoxide of the formula,  
 bon radicals and halogenated derivatives thereof. and  
 C alkyl radicals.  
  2. A method in accordance with claim 1, where the alkali diphenoxide is the diphenoxide of bisphenol-A. 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, where the alkali diphenoxide is the diphenoxide of hydroquinone. 4. A method in accordance with claim 1, where R is phenyl.  
  5. A method in accordance with claim 1, where R is methyl.  
 . 9 6. A method in accordance with claim I, where M is A mfilhod in accordance with Claim Where sodium. N-methyl 3-nitrophthalimide is used.  
  7. A method in accordance with l i 1, where ll. A method in accordance with claim 1. where N-phenyl-3-nitr0phthalimide i d N-methyl-4-nitr0phthalimide is used.  
  8. A method in accordance with l i 1, wh 12. A method in accordance with claim I. where a N-phenyl-4-nitrophthalimide is used. 5 mixture of N-methyl-3-nitrophthalimide and N-methyi 9. A method in accordance with claim I. where a *nitmphthalimide is usedmixture of N-phenyl-3-nitrophthalimide and N-phenyl- 4-nitrophthalimide is used.