Disclosed is a process for preparing branched polyarylene ether polymers by (A) providing a reaction mixture comprising (i) a polyfunctional phenol compound of the formula Ar(OH).sub.x wherein x.gtoreq.3 and wherein Ar is an aryl moiety or an alkylaryl moiety, provided that when Ar is an alkylaryl moiety at least three of the --OH groups are bonded to an aryl portion thereof, (ii) a compound of the formula ##STR00001## wherein m is 0 or 1, Y and Y' each, independently of the other, is fluorine or chlorine, and A is as defined herein, (iii) a compound of the formula ##STR00002## wherein B is as defined herein, and (iv) a carbonate base; and (B) heating the reaction mixture and removing generated water from the reaction mixture, thereby effecting a polymerization reaction. Also disclosed are polymers prepared by this process and imaging members containing these polymers.