Abstract: Reactive monomers containing the trifluorovinyloxy group may be copolymerized to form polymers useful as membranes, especially polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells. The monomers have the formula ((CF2CFO(R1)p)nArX2 wherein Ar is a trivalent, tetravalent or pentavalent, substituted or unsubstituted, aromatic or heteroaromatic, monocyclic or polycyclic group having from 5 to 50 carbon atoms; X is OH, SH, NR2aR2b, F or Br; p is 0 or 1; n is 1, 2 or 3; R1 is substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and R2a and R2b are independently H, C1-C8 alkyl or C1-C8 perfluoroalkyl.

Abstract: High heat polyethersulfone compositions are provided which possess unexpectedly high glass transition temperatures. The polyethersulfone compositions comprise structural units derived from phthalimide bisphenols such as 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenylphthalimide, and structural units derived from at least one biphenyl-bissulfone such as 4,4?-bis((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,1?-biphenyl. The novel polyethersulfone compositions may further comprise structural units derived from one or more biphenols such as 4,4?-biphenol, bisphenols such as BPA, or other electrophilic sulfone monomers, such as bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone. In one embodiment, the polyethersulfone composition of the present invention comprises structural groups derived exclusively from 3,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-N-phenylphthalimide, and 4,4?-bis((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,1?-biphenyl and exhibits a single glass transition of greater than 300° C.

Abstract: The above deficiencies in the art are alleviated by, in an embodiment, a method of preparing a carboxylic acid end-capped oligomer comprising melt reacting a dicarboxylic acid, a dihydroxy compound, a hydroxy end-capped soft block compound, a diaryl carbonate, and a catalyst, wherein the molar ratio of dihydroxy end-capped soft block compound to dihydroxy compound is 1:4 to 1:40, the molar ratio of dicarboxylic acid to the combined molar amounts of dihydroxy compound and hydroxy end-capped soft block compound is 1.01:1 to 2:1, and the molar ratio of diaryl carbonate to the combined molar amounts of dihydroxy compound and hydroxy end-capped soft block compound is 1.5:1 to 3:1. A carboxylic acid end-capped oligomer prepared by the above method is also disclosed. A thermosetting composition comprising the carboxylic acid end-capped oligomer, and an article comprising the thermosetting composition, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymers that may be used as membranes for fuel cells include sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks include structural units of formula and the lightly sulfonated polyethersulfone blocks include structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z, Z1 and Z2 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r, (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof; a and e are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c, d, and f are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m, n and p are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: Sulfonated block copolymer suitable for use as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells comprise sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks and polyethersulfone blocks. The sulfonated polyaryletherketone blocks comprise structural units of formula the polyethersulfone blocks comprising structural units of formula wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, C6-C14 aryl, allyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, halo, or cyano; Z and Z1 are independently a direct bond or O, S, (CH2)r, (CF2)r, C(CH3)2, C(CF3)2, or a combination thereof; M is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; b, c and d are independently 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; and r is an integer from 1 to 5.

Abstract: High heat polyethersulfone compositions are provided which possess unexpectedly high glass transition temperatures. The polyethersulfone compositions comprise structural units derived from fluorenone bisphenols such as 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, and structural units derived from at least one biphenyl-bissulfone such as 4,4?-bis((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,1?-biphenyl. The novel polyethersulfone compositions may further comprise structural units derived from one or more biphenols such as 4,4?-biphenol, bisphenols such as BPA, or other electrophilic sulfone monomers, such as bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone. In one embodiment, the polyethersulfone composition of the present invention comprises structural groups derived exclusively from 9,9-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)fluorene and 4,4?-bis((4-chlorophenyl)sulfonyl)-1,1?-biphenyl and exhibits a single glass transition of greater than 300° C.

Abstract: Processes for controlled sulfonation of a polyaryletherketone comprise reacting a monomer of formula VIII with a monomer of formula IX to form a polyaryletherketone; and sulfonating the polyaryletherketone to form a sulfonated polyaryletherketone comprising structural units of formula IV wherein R1 is halogen, C1-C10 alkyl, C3-C12 cycloalkyl, or C3-C15 aryl; a is an integer from 0 to 4; Y is F, Cl, Br or a mixture thereof; m is 0 or 1; and Q is H, a metal cation, a non-metallic inorganic cation, an organic cation or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyimides that include structural units derived from a monomer of formula I are useful as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

Abstract: A method for carrying out a chemical reaction between at least two reactants occupying separate phases within a multiphase reaction mixture has been discovered in which at least one phosphazenium salt is employed as a phase transfer catalyst. The remarkable utility of phosphazenium salts as phase transfer catalysts is illustrated by the preparation of aromatic ethers. The phosphazenium salt phase transfer catalysts are shown to be especially useful in the preparation of aromatic polyethers such as polyether sulfones.

Abstract: Sulfonated polyethersulfones and polymer compositions comprising sulfonated polyethersulfones and at least one inorganic heteropolyacid are useful as proton exchange membranes for fuel cells.

Abstract: A membrane is provided, which may include a microporous base membrane; and a cross-linkable coating disposed on a surface of the membrane. The coating may include polyvinyl nucleophilic polymer and a urethane or a blocked isocyanate. The coating may be cross-linked. Also provided is a method of making the membrane.

Abstract: Polyethersulfones having Tg greater than about 225° C. and a notched Izod value greater than about 1 ft-lb/in, as measured by ASTM D256, comprise from about 5 mol % to less than about 40 mol % structural units of formula 1; and from greater than about 60 mol % to about 95 mol % structural units of formula 2 wherein R1, R2, and R3 are independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a nitro group, a cyano group, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C12 aromatic radical; n, m, q are independently at each occurrence integers from 0 to 4; and Q is a C3-C20 cycloaliphatic radical, or a C3-C20 aromatic radical.

Abstract: Copolyetherimides compositions having high glass transition temperatures and outstanding ductility are presented. The copolyetherimides having Mw of at least 40,000 comprising isomeric bis(phthalimide) structural units within a relatively narrow range of isomer proportions exhibited Tgs of at least 240° C. and outstanding Notched Izod values. The copolyetherimides comprise oxydianiline residues and structural units of the formulas (I) and (II) (III).

Abstract: The present invention provides carboxy-terminated oligomeric polyester compositions useful in the preparation of “weatherable” polymeric materials, for example weatherable copolyestercarbonates. In one aspect the present invention provides an oligomeric polyester composition comprising structural units derived from at least one diacid, at least one diaryl carbonate and at least one diol. The structural units derived from the diacid are present in a molar excess of from about 10% to about 40% based on a ratio of moles of diacid-derived structural units to moles of diol-derived structural units present in the oligomeric polyester composition. The oligomeric polyester composition is further characterized by the presence of at least some phenoxy end groups.

Abstract: This invention is related to a method for making diether dianhydrides by the reaction of halophthalic anhydride and a metal salt of an aromatic dihydroxy compound in the presence of a solvent and a phase transfer catalyst. Typical phase transfer catalyst include guanidium salts, aminopyridinium salts, or phosphazenium salts.

Abstract: Polyether polymers, such as polyetherimides, are prepared by the reaction of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salt, such as bisphenol A disodium salt, with a bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))aromatic compound, such as 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(N-(4-chlorophthalimido))benzene, in a solvent such as o-dichlorobenzene and in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst such as a hexaalkylguanidinium chloride. Several embodiments may be employed to improve the method. They comprise employing substantially dry reagents, employing a high solids level in solvent, beginning with an excess of bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))-aromatic compound and incrementally adding alkali metal salt, employing alkali metal salt of small particle size, and using reagents of high purity.

Abstract: A polyethersulfone composition is disclosed which comprises structural units derived from bisphenol-A and 4,4?-biphenol, the structural units derived from 4,4?-biphenol being present in an amount corresponding to greater than 65 mole percent based on total moles of structural units derived from diphenolic monomers, wherein the polyethersulfone has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least 54,000 grams per mole as measured by gel permeation chromatography. The polyethersulfone compositions of the invention display outstanding impact strength as measured using ASTM D256. Surprisingly, the polyethersulfone compositions of the invention show enhanced impact strength relative to known polyethersulfones such as RADEL R, a commercially available polyethersulfone engineering thermoplastic comprised of structural units derived from a dihalodiarylsulfone and 4,4?-biphenol and having a Notched Izod impact strength of about 700 Joules per meter.

Abstract: The present invention provides carboxy-terminated oligomeric polyester compositions useful in the preparation of “weatherable” polymeric materials, for example weatherable copolyestercarbonates. In one aspect the present invention provides an oligomeric polyester composition comprising structural units derived from at least one diacid, at least one diaryl carbonate and at least one diol. The structural units derived from the diacid are present in a molar excess of from about 10% to about 40% based on a ratio of moles of diacid-derived structural units to moles of diol-derived structural units present in the oligomeric polyester composition. The oligomeric polyester composition is further characterized by the presence of atleast some phenoxy end groups.

Abstract: Nanocomposite compositions comprising organoclays and telechelic polyesters that contain sulfonate end groups were prepared that resulted in improved physical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: A polyethersulfone composition is disclosed which comprises structural units derived from a monomer mixture comprising fluorenylidene bisphenol-A and at least 50 mole percent of 4,4?-biphenol based on total moles of diphenolic monomers, wherein the polyethersulfone has a minimum glass transition temperature of 235° C. and a notched Izod impact value of 1 ft-lb/in. as measured by ASTM D256.