Abstract: A high char yield polybenzoxazine is formed by mixing (i) a benzoxazine compound, (ii) a furan compound, (iii) a benzoxazine-furan compound or combinations thereof, wherein the mixture has a benzoxazine ring to furan ring ratio from about 0.001 to about 10 and then heating the mixture for a sufficient time to form the polybenzoxazine.

Abstract: Compositions comprising a polysaccharide and a hydroxy-functional polyester are prepared by mixing the hydroxy-functional polyester and polysaccharide, modified polysaccharide or a naturally-occurring fiber or particulate filler and, optionally, other additives in a intensive mixer at a temperature and for a time sufficient to provide an intimate, well-dispersed mixture of the components.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising an epoxy vinyl ester resin or unsaturated polyester matrix having dispersed therein particles derived from a multilayered inorganic material which possesses organophilic properties. The dispersion of the multilayered inorganic material in the polymer matrix is such that an increase in the average interlayer spacing of the layered inorganic material occurs to a significant extent resulting in the formation of a nanocomposite.

Abstract: The present invention is a composition comprising either: a) a high internal phase ratio emulsion having water as a continuous phase and a thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether as a disperse phase; or b) a stable aqueous dispersion of the thermoplastic hydroxy-functional polyether. The composition of the present invention addresses a need in the art by providing a thermoplastic coating that exhibits an excellent barrier to oxygen and carbon dioxide, but which barrier properties are not adversely affected by contact with water. The composition is particularly useful in the paper packaging industry where biodegradability and resistance to spoilage of food is desirable.

Abstract: A polymer composite comprising a hydroxy-phenoxyether or polyester polymer matrix having dispersed therein layers of an inorganic material derived from a multilayered inorganic material having organophilic properties. The dispersion of the multilayered inorganic material in the polymer matrix is such that an increase in the average interlayer spacing of the layered inorganic material occurs. This increase in interlayer spacing occurs to a significant extent resulting in the formation of a nanocomposite. The polymers are preferably derived from a diglycidyl ether or ester or an epihalohydrin and a dinucleophile such as a dicarboxylic acid, a difunctional amine, a bisphenol or a sulfonamide. As the organophilic inorganic material clay minerals modified with organic ammonium compounds are used.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include a hydroxy-functional polyester and a natural polymer. Articles can be made from such a composition so as to have sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils or to have sufficient stretchability so as to form thin wrap films. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Granular starches derived from a grain, a root, a legume, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyethers having a "cardo" diphenylene group in their backbones are prepared by contacting at least one dinucleophilic monomer with at least one dtglycidyl ether of a cardo bisphenol, such as bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, phenolphthalein, or phenolphthalimidine or a substituted cardo bisphenol, such as a substituted bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, a substituted phenolphthalein or a substituted phenolphthalimidine, under conditions sufficient to cause the nucleophillo moieties of the dinucleophilic monomer to react with epoxy moieties to form a polymer backbone containing pendant hydroxy moieties and ether, imino, amino, sulfonamido or ester linkages. These polyethers possess a combination of high barrier to oxygen transmission (i.e., oxygen transmission rate less than 10.0 cm.sup.3 -mil/100 in.sup.2 -atm-day to oxygen) and high heat resistance (i.e., Tg above 120.degree. C.).

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include particular hydroxy-functional polyesters and a natural polymer. Among articles that can be made from such compositions are those with sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Starches are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composite is prepared by applying a hydroxy-phenoxyether polymer onto the surface of reinforcing fibers or by the in-situ polymerization of mixtures of diepoxides and difunctional species in the presence of reinforcing fibers. The composites can be molded into shaped articles useful for structural materials and parts by conventional thermoforming or other fabrication techniques.

Abstract: A laminate structure comprises one or more layers of an organic polymer and one or more layers of a hydroxy-functionalized polyetheramine, wherein the hydroxy-functionalized polyetheramine layer is adhered directly to a contiguous organic polymer layer without an adhesive layer therebetween. The hydroxy-functionalized polyetheramine is prepared by reacting (1) a difunctional amine with (2) a diglycidyl ether or a diepoxy-functionalized poly(alkylene oxide) under conditions sufficient to cause the amine moieties to react with the epoxy moieties to form a polymer backbone having amine linkages, ether linkages and pendant hydroxyl moieties and then treating the reaction product with a monofunctional nucleophile which is not a primary or secondary amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyester comprises contacting a dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids with a diepoxide in a given solvent in the presence of an end-capping agent and a catalyst under conditions sufficient to form the hydroxy-functionalized polyesters or polyethers.

Abstract: Compositions of the invention include a hydroxy-functional polyester and a natural polymer. Articles can be made from such a composition so as to have sufficiently strong tensile strengths as to form disposable utensils or to have sufficient stretchability so as to form thin wrap films. However, the compositions are more environmentally friendly than commodity plastics such as polyethylene or polystyrene. Granular starches derived from a grain, a root, a legume, or mixtures thereof, are particularly preferred as the natural polymers for inclusion in the compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing a thermoplastic hydroxy-functionalized polyesters comprises contacting a dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids with a diepoxide in the presence of a monofunctional carboxylic acid and a catalyst, and in the absence of a solvent under conditions sufficient to form the hydroxy-functionalized polyesters.

Abstract: Poly(hydroxyaminoether) ammonium salts are prepared by contacting a poly(hydroxy amino ether) with a protonic acid or an alkyl halide in an amount and under reaction conditions sufficient to form a poly(hydroxy amino ether) ammonium salt having an oxygen transmission rate of less than about 0.5 cm.sup.3 -mil/100 in.sup.2 -atm(O.sub.2)-day.

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyethers having a "cardo" diphenylene group in their backbones are prepared by contacting at least one dinucleophilic monomer with at least one diglycidyl ether of a cardo bisphenol, such as bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, phenolphthalein, or phenolphthalimidine or a substituted cardo bisphenol, such as a substituted bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorene, a substituted phenolphthalein or a substituted phenolphthalimidine, under conditions sufficient to cause the nucleophilic moieties of the dinucleophilic monomer to react with epoxy moieties to form a polymer backbone containing pendant hydroxy moieties and ether, imino, amino, sulfonamido or ester linkages. These polyethers possess a combination of high barrier to oxygen transmission (i.e., oxygen transmission rate less than 10.0 cm.sup.3 -mil/100 in.sup.2 -atm-day to oxygen) and high heat resistance (i.e., Tg above 120.degree. C.).

Abstract: Hydroxy-functional polyester oligomers are prepared by contacting a hydroxy-functional aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids containing hydroxy-functional aliphatic diacids, with a diglycidyl ether or diglycidyl ester in the presence of an onium catalyst in an ether solvent under conditions suitable for forming the oligomer. The oligomers can be used as hot melt adhesives, adhesive tackifiers, plasticizers, heat-curable adhesives and heat-curable coatings. Some of these materials are biodegradable and are therefore suitable for application to compostable end products.

Abstract: Photolytically crosslinkable thermally stable compositions comprising at least one crosslinkable polymer and a crosslinkable quantity of a multifunctional 3,4-disubstituted maleimide. The compositions may be employed to prepare adhesives and photo printing mats.

Abstract: A laminate structure comprises one or more layers of a polyester and one or more layers of a hydroxy-phenoxyether polymer. The laminate structure can be prepared by coextruding one or more layers of a polyester and one or more layers of a hydroxy-phenoxyether polymer. The laminate structure can be fabricated into articles using conventional fabrication techniques such as compression molding, injection molding, blow molding, extrusion, solvent casting, calendering and thermoforming.

Abstract: Thermoplastic hydroxy ether polymers containing inertly substituted or unsubstituted stilbene and ether linkages in the backbone chain and pendant hydroxyl moieties are prepared by reacting (a) an inertly substituted or unsubstituted dihydroxy-stilbene with (b) a diglycidyl ether and, optionally, (c) a difunctional monomer under conditions sufficient to cause the hydroxyl moieties to react with the epoxy moieties to form ether linkages and pendant hydroxyl moieties. The polymers exhibit excellent oxygen barrier properties and are useful in packaging oxygen-sensitive materials.

Abstract: A biodegradable hydroxy-functional polyester is prepared by contacting a hydroxy-functional aliphatic dicarboxylic acid or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids containing hydroxy-functional aliphatic diacids, with a diglycidyl ether or diglycidyl ester in the presence of an onium catalyst in an ether solvent under conditions suitable for forming the polyester.