Patent ID: 7858726

Claim:
A process for producing a low-molecular polyphenylene ether having a content of components with molecular weights of 20,000 or more of 10 mass % or less and a number average molecular weight of 4,000 or less by a redistribution reaction which involves reacting a raw polyphenylene ether having a number average molecular weight of 10,000 or more with a polyphenol compound and a radical initiator, characterized in that: the radical initiator is added during the redistribution reaction at an average rate of 0.1 part by mass/minute or less based on 100 parts by mass of the raw polyphenylene ether; the redistribution reaction is conducted in a solvent; a weight ratio of the raw polyphenylene ether to the solvent 0.4:100 to 40:100; and a weight ratio of the radical initiator to the solvent 0.5:100 to 5:100.