Polyethers
“Polyether generally refers to polymers which contain the ether functional group in their main chain. The term glycol is reserved for low to medium range molar mass polymer when the nature of the end-group, which is usually a hydroxyl group, still matters. The term "oxide" or other terms are used for high molar mass polymer when end-groups no longer affect polymer properties.”
“Ether is a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether" (CH3-CH2-O-CH2-CH3). Ethers are common in organic chemistry and pervasive in biochemistry, as they are common linkages in carbohydrates and lignin”
“Polyethers are compounds with more than one ether group.”
“The crown ethers are examples of low-molecular polyethers. Some toxins produced by dinoflagellates such as brevetoxin and ciguatoxin are in a class known as cyclic or ladder polyethers.”
Recent US Patents
12/7/2010
7,847,032
Poly(arylene ether) composition and extruded articles derived therefrom
Guo et al of Sabic, Netherlands, have developed a poly(arylene ether) composition includes a hydrogenated block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated diene, a flame retardant, and a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer reaction product that itself includes a poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer. The composition is useful for forming extruded articles, including insulation for wire and cable. The poly(arylene ether)-polysiloxane block copolymer contributes improved flame retardancy and, in many cases, improved physical properties to the composition. (RDC 5/12/2011)