A curable composition includes a functionalized poly(arylene ether), an
alkenyl aromatic monomer, an acryloyl monomer, and a polymeric additive
selected from polystyrene, poly(styrene-maleic anhydride),
poly(styrene-methyl methacrylate), polybutene, poly(ethylene-butylene),
poly(vinyl ether), poly(vinyl acetate), and combinations thereof. Curable
compositions comprising polybutene having a number average molecular
weight of greater than or equal to 300 atomic mass units form sol-gels
having sol-gel transition temperatures of greater than about 60.degree.
C. These sol-gel compositions also exhibit lower tack at ambient
temperature.