Abstract: Aliphatic tricarboxylic acids, as exemplified by 9-carboxy-1,18-octadecanedioic acid, may be prepared by the biotransformation of an olefinic monocarboxylic acid such as oleic acid to the corresponding olefinic dicarboxylic acid, preferably 1,18-octadec-9-enedioic acid, in the presence of a strain of yeast, such as a strain of Candida tropicalis, followed by the carboxylation of the olefinic dicarboxylic acid by reaction with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a catalyst. The product tricarboxylic acids are useful as branching agents for polycarbonates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reducing the percent decomposition of an aromatic carbonate in a first reaction mixture comprising the aromatic carbonate, the method comprising the step of adding at least one decomposition-reducing additive to the first reaction mixture, so as to produce a second reaction mixture in which the percent of the aromatic carbonate present in the second reaction mixture after a predetermined amount of time is greater than the percent of the aromatic carbonate that would be present in the first reaction mixture in the absence of adding the decomposition-reducing additive, after the same predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and catalyst composition for carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds, comprising the step of contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst composition comprising an effective amount of at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal source, an effective amount of a combination of inorganic co-catalysts comprising at least one Group 4 metal source and at least one Group 11 metal source, an effective amount of at least one salt co-catalyst with an anion selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, benzoate, acetate, sulfate, and nitrate, wherein the carbonylation catalyst composition is free of a halide source.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin compositions comprising a thermoplastic resin, at least one phosphoramide having a glass transition point of at least about 0° C. preferably of at least about 10° C., and most preferably of at least about 20° C.; and at least one adjunct flame retardant. The present invention also relates to articles made from the resin compositions. The present invention also provides methods to make the resin compositions having improved heat properties over compositions known in the art.

Abstract: Copolyestercarbonates comprising carbonate structural units derived from at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound, preferably bisphenol A, and ester units derived from a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a composition comprising at least one C36 dimer acid may be prepared by an interfacial phosgenation method conducted at a pH in the range of about 9-11. The copolyestercarbonates have properties which are often superior to those of corresponding polymers prepared, for example, from dodecanedioic acid.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one alkali metal salt; (C) at least one metal co-catalyst; (D) at least one activating organic solvent; and (E) optionally, at least one base.

Abstract: A method and catalyst system for economically producing aromatic carbonates from aromatic hydroxy compounds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of carbonylating aromatic hydroxy compounds by contacting at least one aromatic hydroxy compound with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst system that includes a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing lead and a catalytic amount of an inorganic co-catalyst containing titanium. In various alternative embodiments, the carbonylation catalyst system can include an effective amount of a palladium source and an effective amount of a halide composition. Further alternative embodiments can include catalytic amounts of various inorganic co-catalyst combinations.

Abstract: The color stability of thermoplastic polymers comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one organodicarboxylic acid is enhanced by combination with at least one photobleachable 4-aminocinnamic compound such as 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde. The latter absorbs radiation in the range between about 360 nanometers and about 390 nanometers, balancing the radiation absorbed by hydroxybenzophenone moieties formed in the polymer.

Abstract: The color stability of thermoplastic polymers comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one organodicarboxylic acid is enhanced by combination with at least one photobleachable 4-aminocinnamic compound such as 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde. The latter absorbs radiation in the range between about 360 nanometers and about 390 nanometers, balancing the radiation absorbed by hydroxybenzophenone moieties formed in the polymer.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for the hydroxylation of aromatic substrates in the presence of oxygen, hydrogen, and a catalyst. In a preferred embodiment, benzene is oxidized to phenol in the presence of oxygen, a vanadium catalyst, and hydrogen. The method is economical, safe, and amenable to commercial scale-up.

Abstract: The color stability of thermoplastic polymers comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene and at least one organodicarboxylic acid is enhanced by combination with at least one photobleachable 4-aminocinnamic compound such as 4-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde. The latter absorbs radiation in the range between about 360 nanometers and about 390 nanometers, balancing the radiation absorbed by hydroxybenzophenone moieties formed in the polymer.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIII metal, preferably palladium; at least one bromide or chloride salt, preferably sodium bromide or a tetraalkylammonium bromide; at least one organic bisphosphine such as 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane or 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane; and a compound of a metal other than a Group VIII metal having an atomic number of at least 44, preferably a lead bromophenoxide. There may also be present a polar organic liquid as a cosolvent.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a Group VIIIB metal, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; and a promoter compound which is at least one C2-8 aliphatic or C7-10 aromatic mono- or dinitrile, preferably acetonitrile or adiponitrile. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of a non-Group VIIIB metal, preferably lead.

Abstract: Laminate structures, for example for use in circuit boards, comprise a metal foil and at least one cured composition layer disposed on at least one surface of the metal foil, wherein the cured composition layer comprises (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cyanate esters and cyanate ester prepolymers, (b) a flame retardant which is substantially toluene soluble and substantially free of hydroxy residues in the cured state, and (c) a curing catalyst.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing phosgene which in one embodiment comprises contacting in at least one reactor a mixture comprising carbon monoxide and chlorine sequentially with a first catalyst followed by contacting the resulting gaseous reaction mixture comprising phosgene with at least one second catalyst of higher relative activity than a first catalyst. In another embodiment a method is disclosed for producing phosgene which comprises contacting in at least one reactor a mixture comprising carbon monoxide and chlorine with at least one catalyst bed comprising a first catalyst wherein at least a portion of said first catalyst is diluted with a second catalyst of higher relative activity than a first catalyst.

Abstract: Xylene derivatives, such as chloro-ortho-xylene, are oxidized in a solvent in the presence of at least one metal catalyst and optionally at least one promoter. The product comprises chlorophthalic acid or chlorophthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A method for preparing novel dibenzoylresorcinol-based compounds is disclosed, wherein the dibenzoylresorcinol is bonded to a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group which does not include a pendent hydroxyl group. The groups attached to the dibenzoylresorcinol may contain a wide variety of functional sites which permit further reaction, e.g., copolymerization. The described compounds are very useful as UV light absorbers and may be used to form improved coating compositions which usually include a transparent, polymeric matrix material. The coating compositions may be applied to various substrates, e.g., thermoplastics, to afford a selection of enhanced properties, such as UV light resistance and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin compositions comprising a thermoplastic resin and at least one phosphoramide having a glass transition point of at least about 0° C., preferably of at least about 10° C., and most preferably of at least about 20° C. The present invention also relates to articles made from the resin compositions. The present invention also provides methods to make the resin compositions-having improved heat properties over compositions known in the art.

Abstract: A process for catalytic production of diaryl carbonates by oxidative carbonylation of aromatic hydroxy compounds with carbon monoxide and oxygen achieves water removal during reaction by a process comprising the steps of: removing a liquid stream from an oxidative carbonylation reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, subjecting the liquid stream to reduced pressure, and returning at least a portion of dried liquid stream to the reaction vessel. Typical catalyst systems for oxidative carbonylation contain (A) at least one Group 8, 9, or 10 metal having an atomic number of at least 44 or a compound thereof; (B) at least one guanidinium salt or onium salt; and (C) at least one metal co-catalyst.

Abstract: Copolymers of polycarbonates or polyarylates with polyether polymers such as polyethersulfones, polyetherketones, and polyetherimides are prepared by reaction of the polyether polymer-forming reagents, e.g., bisphenol A disodium salt and bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone, in the presence of the polycarbonate or polyarylate. The reaction may take place in a dipolar aprotic solvent, or in a water-immiscible aromatic solvent in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst, preferably a hexaalkylguanidinium halide. Hydroxy-terminated polyether oligomers may be produced from the copolymers by saponification of carbonate or ester groups.