Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a composition, preferably a nanocomposite material, comprising (a) a synthetic polymer, (b) a filler such as for example a natural or synthetic phyllosilicate or a mixture of such phyllosilicates, preferably in nanoparticles, and (c) as dispersing agent a polymer based on a long chain alkyl meth(acryte).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: The invention provides in one aspect a process for preparing a microgel by RAFT polymerizing in the presence of a RAFT chain transfer agent, one or more solvophobic monomers and one or more solvophilic monomers to form one or more block copolymers comprising one or more solvophobic blocks and one or more solvophilic blocks wherein the solvophobic block is insoluble in a dispersing medium and the solvophilic block is soluble in the dispersing medium. The block copolymer is dispersed in the dispersing medium to form micelles, which is then stabilized to form the microgel. The dispersing medium can be aqueous or lipophilic. The method of the present invention also permits one to encapsulate a wide variety of materials, such as pigments, dye molecules, and aluminum flakes used in metallized paints.

Abstract: The invention provides in one aspect a process for preparing a microgel by RAFT polymerizing in the presence of a RAFT chain transfer agent, one or more solvophobic monomers and one or more solvophilic monomers to form one or more block copolymers comprising one or more solvophobic blocks and one or more solvophilic blocks wherein the solvophobic block is insoluble in a dispersing medium and the solvophilic block is soluble in the dispersing medium. The block copolymer is dispersed in the dispersing medium to form micelles, which is then stabilized to form the microgel. The dispersing medium can be aqueous or lipophilic. The method of the present invention also permits one to encapsulate a wide variety of materials, such as pigments, dye molecules, and aluminum flakes used in metallized paints.

Abstract: A process for modifying a polypropylene (co)polymer wherein said process comprises melt mixing the polypropylene (co)polymer in the presence of an initiator wherein said initiator is selected from the group defined by formula (1), wherein R is selected from the group consisting of optionally substituted C1 to C18 acyl, optionally substituted C1 to C18 alkyl, aroyl defined by formula (2), and compounds of formula (3), wherein U, V, X, Y, Z, U?, V?, X?, Y? and Z? are independently selected from the group consisting hydrogen; halogen; C1-C18 alkyl; C1-C18 alkoxy, aryloxy, acyl, acyloxy, aryl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl, trialkyl silyl, hydroxy, or a moiety of formula (4), and wherein T is alkylene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator; the ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2═CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z′, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: A polyester composition which is obtainable by combining a precursor polyester comprising at least one transesterification resistant segment with another polyester and/or monomer, wherein the transesterification resistance of the segment is attributable to an alcohol or derivative thereof from which the precursor polyester is derived.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizingpolymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low pollydispersity and predictable specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizingpolymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictable specific polymer architecture amd molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming star shaped microgels which include a core of crosslinked polymer and multiplicity of substantially linear polymeric arms of macromonomers attached to the core. The process includes polymerizing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent to form macromonomers each having a terminal polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group and then polymerizing, in presence of the macromonomers, the monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and multi-olefinic crosslinking monomers. The microgels of the present invention can be used as rheology control agents in waterborne and solvent-borne coatings and in adhesives and cosmetics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers. In the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator. The process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator. The ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of The Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizing polymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictably specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent, and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: This invention concerns the preparation of polymers of low polydispersity and/or controlled molecular weight and architecture employing living free radical polymerization initiated by an alkoxyamine initiator or nitroxide plus, optionally, a free radical initiator; the polymer produced thereby; selected nitroxide and alkoxyamine initiators; and a process for making the initiators; the polymeric products being useful in protective coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to the synthesis of dithiocarboxylic acid esters by reaction of bis(thioacyl) disulphides, thioacetals or vinylidane bis(thioether) with free-radicals (optionally in the presence of monomers). The invention also relates to processes for the synthesis of polymers utilising these dithioesters as polymerisation regulators (chain transfer agents) or to the use of bis(thioacyl) disulphides to generate dithioester chain transfer agents in situ.