Patent ID: 7282554

Claim:
A process for producing a low molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a reduced viscosity (ηsp/c), as measured at 30° C. in a 0.5 g/dl chloroform solution, of 0.04-0.18 dl/g, and a molecular weight distribution of 1.5-2.5, which comprises sequential the steps of: polymerizing a phenol compound in the presence of a catalyst and oxygen-containing gas using a good solvent of said low molecular weight polyphenylene ether to obtain a polyphenylene ether solution; and precipitating a low molecular weight polyphenylene ether having a reduced viscosity (ηsp/c), as measured at 30° C. in a 0.5 g/dl chloroform solution, of 0.04-0.18 dl/g by adding a poor solvent of said low molecular weight polyphenylene ether to said polyphenylene ether solution, wherein said precipitation is carried out at the temperature in the range of −80 to 20° C.