METHOD FOR PRODUCING POLYARYLENE SULFIDE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for producing polyarylene sulfide at a low temperature in a short time, by solving such a defect that conversion of cyclic polyarylene sulfide into polyarylene sulfide requires a high temperature and a long time.SOLUTION: In this method for producing polyarylene sulfide, cyclic polyarylene sulfide is heated in the presence of a low valence iron compound. As the low valence iron compound, a II valent iron compound or the like is enumerated. Addition of the low valence iron compound to the cyclic polyarylene sulfide and heating of a mixture acquired by adding the low valence iron compound to the cyclic polyarylene sulfide are preferably performed under a non-oxidizing atmosphere and under a condition not containing an oxidizing substance and moisture.