Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polycarbonate copolymer comprising A) a structure derived from a dihydroxy alkylene oxide compound selected from the group consisting of formula (1a) and formula (1b): H-(E-X)l—OH??(1a) H-(E-X-E)l-OH??(1b) wherein E and X are different and each and independently are selected from the group consisting of formula (2a) and formula (2b): —(OCH2CH2)m—??(2a) —(OCHRCH2)n—??(2b) wherein R is a C1-8 alkyl group; l, m, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1; and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the total amount of the structures corresponding to formula (2b) in the copolymer is between 100 and 2,000 g/mol; and B) a structure derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the structures of A) and B).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polycarbonate copolymer comprising A) a structure derived from a dihydroxy alkylene oxide compound selected from the group consisting of formula (1a) and formula (1b): H-(E-X)l—OH??(1a) H-(E-X-E)l-OH??(1b) wherein E and X are different and each and independently are selected from the group consisting of formula (2a) and formula (2b): —(OCH2CH2)m—??(2a) —(OCHRCH2)n—??(2b) wherein R is a C1-8 alkyl group; l, m, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1; and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the total amount of the structures corresponding to formula (2b) in the copolymer is between 100 and 2,000 g/mol; and B) a structure derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the structures of A) and B).

Abstract: A method for producing a transparent article comprises the steps of melt transesterifying a monomer mixture in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to produce a hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product comprising greater than 45 mole percent of structural units derived from the hydroquinone. The monomer mixture comprises a hydroquinone, at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound other than the hydroquinone, and a carbonic acid diester. The hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product is then heated to a highest processing temperature of 5° C. to 20° C. above a maximum melting melt temperature for the hydroquinone copolymer product for a sufficient period of time to render the hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product transparent upon cooling to ambient temperature; and cooling the hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product to produce the transparent article.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polycarbonate copolymer comprising A) a structure derived from a dihydroxy alkylene oxide compound selected from the group consisting of formula (1a) and formula (1b): H-(E-X)l—OH ??(1a) H-(E-X-E)l-OH ??(1b) wherein E and X are different and each and independently are selected from the group consisting of formula (2a) and formula (2b): —(OCH2CH2)m— ??(2a) —(OCHRCH2)n— ??(2b) wherein R is a C1-8 alkyl group; l, m, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1; and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the total amount of the structures corresponding to formula (2b) in the copolymer is between 100 and 2,000 g/mol; and B) a structure derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the structures of A) and B).

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a polycarbonate copolymer comprising A) a structure derived from a dihydroxy alkylene oxide compound selected from the group consisting of formula (1a) and formula (1b): H-(E-X)l—OH ??(1a) H-(E-X-E)l-OH ??(1b) wherein E and X are different and each and independently are selected from the group consisting of formula (2a) and formula (2b): —(OCH2CH2)m— ??(2a) —(OCHRCH2)n— ??(2b) wherein R is a C1-8 alkyl group; l, m, and n are integers greater than or equal to 1; and wherein the weight average molecular weight of the total amount of the structures corresponding to formula (2b) in the copolymer is between 100 and 2,000 g/mol; and B) a structure derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the structures of A) and B).

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether)-poly(alkylene ether) block copolymers and methods for their preparation are provided. The block copolymers include structural units derived from a poly(arylene ether), a poly(alkylene ether), and an activated aromatic carbonate.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether)-polycarbonate block copolymers and methods for their preparation are provided. The block copolymers include structural units derived from a hydroquinone, a poly(arylene ether), and an activated aromatic carbonate.

Abstract: A method of making polycarbonates comprises melt-polymerizing an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester in a presence of a polymerization catalyst in a reactor system producing a byproduct stream, wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises a quaternary phosphonium compound; and purifying the byproduct stream to separate phenol, wherein the separated phenol has a phosphorus concentration of less than or equal to about 3 part per million, based upon the total weight of the phenol separated.

Abstract: A method of making polycarbonate comprises melt-polymerizing an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester in a presence of a polymerization catalyst in a reactor system producing a byproduct stream, wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises a quaternary phosphonium compound; and purifying the byproduct stream to separate the carbonic acid diester, wherein the separated carbonic acid diester has a phosphorous concentration of less than or equal to about 30 parts per million.

Abstract: Usually, polycarbonate polymerization is limited by the rate at which inhibitory byproducts, such as phenol and salicylate, can be removed from the reaction. To facilitate the removal of volatile reaction byproducts from the reaction as polymerization occurs, the present invention provides a spray mist reactor. The formation of a spray mist polymerization reaction allows for the creation of an enormous surface area for exchange of volatile byproducts. The present invention is applicable to polymerization of polycarbonate and its copolymers starting with monomers or oligomers. The invention may be used to increase throughput and minimize initial investment for a give melt process, especially the fast reacting bis(methylsalicylate) carbonate process.

Abstract: Usually, polycarbonate polymerization is limited by the rate at which inhibitory byproducts, such as phenol and salicylate, can be removed from the reaction. To facilitate the removal of volatile reaction byproducts from the reaction as polymerization occurs, the present invention provides a spray mist reactor. The formation of a spray mist polymerization reaction allows for the creation of an enormous surface area for exchange of volatile byproducts. The present invention is applicable to polymerization of polycarbonate and its copolymers starting with monomers or oligomers. The invention may be used to increase throughput and minimize initial investment for a give melt process, especially the fast reacting bis(methylsalicylate) carbonate process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composition comprising polycarbonate wherein the polycarbonate has a very low Fries content (e.g., above 5 ppm and below 360 ppm). The present invention also provides a polycarbonate having a very low Fries content which is made by the melt process. This polycarbonate has high ductility and high impact strength. The invention also provides a method for making these compositions. Another aspect of the invention is an optical disk comprising polycarbonate having a very low Fries content which is made by the melt process. Such optical disks resist breakage due to bending.

Abstract: Increasing the endcap level to a level greater than about 90% for Optical Quality (OQ) Melt Polycarbonate significantly reduces the as-molded static charge for injection molded parts for Optical Disc applications. The use of resins with higher endcap levels in combination with antistatic additives provides a highly robust formulation suitable for even the most demanding emerging formats as Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and in all commercial Optical media molding machines. Thus, optical quality polycarbonates are prepared by performing a base-catalyzed polymerization of a diaryl carbonate and a dihydric phenol under conditions effective to produce a polycarbonate product having an endcap level of 90% or greater.

Abstract: The disclosure describes reacting a multi-functional phenolic or carboxylic branching agent with a transesterification catalyst to form an organic salt prior to reactive extrusion of said organic salt branching agent with linear polycarbonate resin as a means to dramatically increase the efficiency of the branching agent in the preparation of branched polycarbonate.

Abstract: Increasing the endcap level to a level greater than about 90% for Optical Quality (OQ) Melt Polycarbonate significantly reduces the as-molded static charge for injection molded parts for Optical Disc applications. The use of resins with higher endcap levels in combination with antistatic additives provides a highly robust formulation suitable for even the most demanding emerging formats as Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) and in all commercial Optical media molding machines. Thus, optical quality polycarbonates are prepared by performing a base-catalyzed polymerization of a diaryl carbonate and a dihydric phenol under conditions effective to produce a polycarbonate product having an endcap level of 90% or greater.

Abstract: Blow moldable polycarbonate is produced by first producing a polycarbonate preform by a melt transesterification process. The polycarbonate preform comprises 2.1 to 10 mole percent polyfunctional branching agent, based on the total moles of polycarbonate in the polycarbonate preform. The polycarbonate preform is then melt equilibrated with a second polycarbonate to produce a blow moldable grade.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions are redistributed by melt equilibration using as the redistribution catalyst a tetraorganophosphonium hydroxide, preferably a tetra-(C.sub.1-6 alkyl)phosphonium hydroxide. Such catalysts have numerous advantages including greater redistribution efficiency, decreased color in the redistributed product and the capability of employment in the anhydrous state.

Abstract: UV stabilized polycarbonates are provided having chemically combined polyhydric phenol benzotriazole carbonate units, such as 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1-[4-hydroxy-3-(N-2-benzotriazole)phenyl]ethane carbonate units and methods for making. Incorporation of the polyhydric phenol benzotriazole functional units into the polycarbonate backbone can be achieved by redistribution or transesterification under melt polymerization conditions.

Abstract: The efficiency of a redistribution catalyst during polycarbonate redistribution is improved by employing an extruder screw design that provides a melt seal between the extruder throat and the vacuum port. A melt seal exists when the free volume within the extruder is sufficiently filled with molten resin so as to prevent the passage of gases between sections of the extruder.

Abstract: Copolysiloxanecarbonates are prepared in the melt by the reaction of a diaryl carbonate such as diphenyl carbonate with a mixture of a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a carbonate-terminated polydiorganosiloxane, the latter typically prepared by reaction of a diaryl carbonate or aryl chloroformate with a hydroxyorgano-terminated polydiorganosiloxane. By this method, incorporation of silicone units in the copolysiloxanecarbonate is maximized.