Menthanol extraction of polar organic compounds and modifier compounds from poly(arylene sulfide) polymer and oligomer streams

This invention relates to the field of processes utilizing methanol for extracting at least one polar organic compound, hereinafter referred to as "POC", and at least one modifier compound from poly(arylene sulfide) polymer and oligomer streams. A process is provided to recover at least one modifier compound and at least one polar organic compound from a poly(arylene sulfide) reaction mixture comprising high molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide), low molecular weight poly(arylene sulfide), cyclic and linear poly(arylene sulfide) oligomers, at least one polar organic compound, at least one modifier compound, and an alkali metal halide by-product.