Abstract: An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a hollow tubular body (a) of a cross-section size larger than the diameter of any single particle but smaller than twice the diameter to accommodate passage of a single particle at a time through the hollow tubular body and (b) of a length to accommodate a predetermined number of particles. The apparatus includes an obstruction within the body that permits passage of fluid but prevents passage of a particle. The apparatus also includes a force applicator at one end of the tubular body to apply a force to draw a flow of fluid and particles into an end of the element to fill the hollow tubular body with particles along a length of the body up to the obstruction and to maintain the force so as to retain the particles within the body while transporting the retained particles to a location.

Abstract: A composition and method for promoting improved adhesion between a thermoplastic resinous substrate and polyurethane foam is provided. In one aspect of this invention, the composition comprises a thermoplastic mixture of at least one polyphenylene ether and at least one poly(alkenylaromatic) compound; and at least one primary amine-containing material or secondary amine-containing material.

Abstract: Impact modified, compatibilized poly(phenylene ether)-polyamide compositions containing either a polybutene or an organosiloxane mixture give molded parts with good surface appearance, improved flow at high shear rate, and improved low temperature impact strength in comparison to control blends without added organosiloxane mixture or polybutene.

Abstract: Thermoplastic articles such as polycarbonate sheet are protected against weathering by the application of a coating composition comprising at least one polymeric polyol, at least one alkanediol, at least one reactive aminoplast and at least one silylated substituted resorcinol such as 2-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)4,6-dibenzoylresorcinol, usually in solution in a solvent. The coating composition may also contain a hindered amine light stabilizer.

Abstract: Thermoplastic substrates subject to color instability and loss of physical properties resulting from exposure to ultraviolet radiation, such as polycarbonate, are coated with a protective coating comprising at least one thermoplastic acrylic polymer such as poly(methyl methacrylate) in combination with two ultraviolet absorbing compounds: a substituted resorcinol such as 4,6-dibenzoylresorcinol and a silylated substituted resorcinol such as 2-(3-triethoxysilylpropyl)-4,6-dibenzoylresorcinol. The silylated substituted resorcinol is used in a minor proportion effective to improve solubility and compatibility of the substituted resorcinol.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are carbonylated with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a metal from Groups 8-10 of the Periodic Table having an atomic number of at least 44, preferably palladium; an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide, preferably sodium bromide; at least one carboxylic acid amide such as N-methylpyrrolidone or dimethylacetamide; and a cocatalyst which is a compound of one or more metals including copper, titanium, zinc, lead, cerium and manganese.

Abstract: A method and composition are disclosed for the oxidation of aromatic substrates in the presence of oxygen, a catalyst, a proton source, and a non-gaseous reductant. In a preferred embodiment, benzene is oxidized to phenol in the presence of oxygen, a vanadyl catalyst, trifluoroacetic acid as a proton source, and ferrocene as a reductant. The method is economical, safe, and amenable to commercial scale-up.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preparation of polycarbonate by the melt process comprising reacting a diphenol and a diarylcarbonate in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a catalytically effective amount of an alkali and/or alkali earth metal salt of a non volatile acid and a base.

Abstract: Bromide source such as alkali metal bromide, alkaline earth metal bromide, or onium bromide, present as part of a catalyst mixture in an organic oxidative carbonylation mixture further comprising diaryl carbonate and a hydroxyaromatic compound, is often at least partially converted to organic bromide such as bromophenols. The bromide source can be recycled after reaction through treatment with an aqueous acidic bromide solution such as hydrogen bromide, preferably after removal of a major proportion of hydroxyaromatic compound such as phenol.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for preparing a polyestercarbonate, the method comprising: a) reacting a dihydric phenol and a diacid having from 12 to about 30 carbon atoms in the presence of an effective amount of carbonate precursor, thereby forming a reaction mixture, wherein the pH of the reaction mixture is maintained in an initial pH range of from about 8.5 to about 9.5 for about 50% to about 95% of the total carbonate precursor addition, and a second pH range of from about 10 to about 12 for the remainder of the carbonate precursor addition.

Abstract: A composition and method for promoting improved adhesion between a thermoplastic resinous substrate and polyurethane foam is provided. In one aspect of this invention, the composition comprises a thermoplastic mixture of at least one polyphenylene ether and at least one poly(alkenylaromatic) compound; and at least one primary amine-containing material or secondary amine-containing material.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Sterically hindered phosphoramidates such as N,N′-bis[di-(2,6-xylyl)phosphoryl]piperazine are prepared by the reaction of a sterically hindered diaryl chlorophosphate, such as di-(2,6-xylyl) chlorophosphate, with a basic nitrogen compound containing at least two basic N—H groups, preferably a heterocyclic compound such as piperazine, in the presence of an acid acceptor such as triethylamine. The reaction is conducted in methylene chloride or an aromatic hydrocarbon such as toluene as solvent. If an aromatic hydrocarbon is employed, there is also present at least one dipolar aprotic nitrogen compound, such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine, in an amount effective to increase the reaction rate.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: Sterically hindered phosphoramidates such as N,N′-bis[di-(2,6-xylenoxy)phosphinyl]piperazine are prepared by the reaction of a sterically hindered diaryl chlorophosphate, such as di-(2,6-xylyl) chlorophosphate, with a basic nitrogen compound containing at least two basic N—H groups, preferably a heterocyclic compound such as piperazine, in a predominantly liquid, solvent-free reaction mixture. The reaction may be conducted in the melt or in the presence of a non-solvent carrier, typically an aliphatic hydrocarbon. An excess of the basic nitrogen compound is employed as an acid acceptor.

Abstract: Carboxy-functionalized polyphenylene ethers containing structural units with a carboxyalkyl group in the 2-position are prepared by redistribution of a polyphenylene ether with a 2-carboxyalkylphenol such as 2-(3-carboxypropyl)phenol (melilotic acid), or by oxidative coupling of a suitable phenol with such a 2-carboxyalkylphenol. The products form compatibilizing copolymers with polymers containing carboxylic acid-reactive functional groups, such as polyesters, polyamides and epoxy resins.

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: 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 at least one sulfone such as sulfolane. The catalyst system also preferably contains a compound of another metal, preferably lead.

Abstract: Polyether polymers such as polyetherimides are prepared by a two-step reaction. The first step is the reaction between an alkali metal salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, such as bisphenol A disodium salt, and a substituted aromatic compound such as 1,3-bis[N-(4-chlorophthalimido)]benzene, the alkali metal salt being employed in an amount less than stoichiometric. The intermediate low molecular weight polymer thus produced then undergoes reaction with additional alkali metal salt. By this method, a polyether polymer of closely controlled molecular weight can be conveniently prepared.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.