Patent ID: 8017716

Claim:
A poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether), wherein a purified sample of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) prepared by dissolution of the poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) in toluene, precipitation from methanol, reslurry, and isolation has a monomodal molecular weight distribution in the molecular weight range of 250 to 1,000,000 atomic mass units, and comprises less than or equal to 2.2 weight percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) having a molecular weight more than fifteen times the number average molecular weight of the entire purified sample; wherein the purified sample after separation into six equal poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) weight fractions of decreasing molecular weight comprises a first, highest molecular weight fraction; and wherein the first, highest molecular weight fraction comprises at least 10 mole percent of poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether) comprising a terminal morpholine-substituted phenoxy group.