POLYETHERIMIDES, METHODS OF MANUFACTURE, AND ARTICLES FORMED THEREFROM

Polyetherimide compositions are described wherein the polyetherimide composition comprises a polyetherimide comprising a reacted combination of alkali metal salts comprising an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy aromatic compound and an alkali metal salt of a monohydroxy aromatic compound with a bis(halophthalimide), wherein the alkali metal salt of the monohydroxy aromatic compound is included in an amount of greater or equal to 5 mole percent based on the total moles of the alkali metal salts, and the polyetherimide has a weight average molecular weight less thaw 43,000 Daltons and a melt flow index of greater than 22 g/10 min when determined according to ASTM D1238, at 337°C/6.6 kg. The polyetherimide exhibits lower levels of chlorine and chlorine end groups, lower levels of bis(halophthalimide) and bis(phthalimide), and low plate-out during manufacturing.