Abstract: A coating composition comprising components A, B and optionally C, wherein component A comprises at least one hydroxy-terminated polyarylate. Component B is an organic species which can react with the hydroxy terminal groups of component A, and component C is a catalyst or mixture of catalysts. The hydroxy-terminated polyarylates are prepared by a solution polymerization method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer composition comprising a transparent polymer blend. The polymer blend comprises a first resin and a second resin. The first resin comprises polyarylate structural units of formula I, wherein R1 is independently at each occurrence a C1–C2 alkyl group, or a halogen atom, and p is 0 to 3. The second resin is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, polyarylates and copolyestercarbonates. The first resin and the second resin are further characterized by a difference in polyarylate structural unit content, said difference being less than about 40 mole percent.

Abstract: The present invention describes the incorporation of several types of soft-block materials into resorcinol phthalate-co-polycarbonate polymers. In preferred embodiments, the soft-block materials contain aliphatic moieties or silicones as flexibilizing units. Several methods of incorporation into the copolymer structure are described including co-reaction of diols with iso/terephthaloyl chloride, replacement of the normal chainstopper with a p-alkylphenol, replacement of a portion of the bisphenol A with an aliphatic ester-bisphenol, and co-reaction of aliphatic diacid chlorides. The polymers of the present invention have good flow characteristics at temperatures generally used for coating, and have good thermostability and weatherability.

Abstract: Thermally stable block copolyestercarbonates comprising chain members derived from at least one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid moiety, said polymer being substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polyester chain segments, are prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid moiety; and (b) conducting a reaction of the polyester intermediate with phosgene in a reaction mixture comprising water, a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent, and a base, wherein base and phosgene are added simultaneously to the reaction mixture at a substantially constant molar ratio of base to phosgene for a time period of at least about 60% of the total amount of phosgene added.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Block copolyestercarbonates may be prepared by first conducting a reaction between at least one of resorcinol or an alkyl- or haloresorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride, preferably isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof, to produce a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate, and then conducting a reaction of the intermediate with a carbonate precursor, preferably in the presence of a dihydroxy compound such as bisphenol A. The products have excellent physical properties, including a high degree of weatherability. They may be blended with other polymers such as polycarbonates, poly(alkylene carboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers to improve the weatherability thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes the incorporation of several types of soft-block materials into resorcinol phthalate-co-polycarbonate polymers. In preferred embodiments, the soft-block materials contain aliphatic moieties or silicones as flexibilizing units. Several methods of incorporation into the copolymer structure are described including co-reaction of diols with iso/terephthaloyl chloride, replacement of the normal chainstopper with a p-alkylphenol, replacement of a portion of the bisphenol A with an aliphatic ester-bisphenol, and co-reaction of aliphatic diacid chlorides. The polymers of the present invention have good flow characteristics at temperatures generally used for coating, and have good thermostability and weatherability.

Abstract: Thermally stable block copolyestercarbonates comprising chain members derived from at least one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid moiety, said polymer being substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polyester chain segments, are prepared by a method comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate comprising structural units derived from at least one dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid moiety; and (b) conducting a reaction of the polyester intermediate with phosgene in a reaction mixture comprising water, a substantially water-miscible organic solvent, and a base, wherein base and phosgene are added simultaneously to the reaction mixture at a substantially constant molar ratio of base to phosgene for a time period of at least about 60% of the total amount of phosgene added.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions comprising (a) a thermally stable polymer comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, and (b) at least one auxiliary stabilizer additive selected from the group consisting of 2,2′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4H-3,1-benzoxazin-4-one) and 1,3-bis[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]-2,2-bis[[(2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacryloyl)oxy]methyl]propane. Both multilayer and unitary articles comprising the composition are also provided.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: interfacial method for preparing polymers comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous solution comprising at least one resorcinol moiety, said solution having a pH less than or equal to about 5; (b) after step (a), preparing a mixture comprising the resorcinol moiety, at least one catalyst and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (c) adding to the mixture from (b) 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: Block copolyestercarbonates may be prepared by first conducting a reaction between at least one of resorcinol or an alkyl- or haloresorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride, preferably isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof, to produce a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate, and then conducting a reaction of the intermediate with a carbonate precursor, preferably in the presence of a dihydroxy compound such as bisphenol A. The products have excellent physical properties, including a high degree of weatherability. They may be blended with other polymers such as polycarbonates, poly(alkylene carboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers to improve the weatherability thereof.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: interfacial method for preparing polymers comprising resorcinol arylate polyester chain members substantially free of anhydride linkages linking at least two mers of the polymer chain, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing an aqueous solution comprising at least one resorcinol moiety, said solution having a pH less than or equal to about 5; (b) after step (a), preparing a mixture comprising the resorcinol moiety, at least one catalyst and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (c) adding to the mixture from (b) 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: The level of anhydride linkages in copolyestercarbonates is decreased by preparing the copolyestercarbonate interfacially in a two-step method from at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound and at least one dicarboxylic acid. The first step is conducted at a pH in the range of about 4.5-9.5, employing the combination of a phase transfer catalyst such as a tetraalkylammonium halide and a tertiary amine such as triethylamine. The proportion of the phase transfer catalyst is in the range of about 3-12 mole percent based on total dihydroxyaromatic compound and dicarboxylic acid employed. In the second phosgenation step, the pH is raised to at least 10 and a stoichiometric phosgene excess of at least 5% is introduced.

Abstract: Diaminoalkyl quaternary ammonium salts are prepared by the reaction of alkyl halides with tertiary diamines having C.sub.2-20 primary alkyl radicals attached to nitrogen and an alkyl radical between the two nitrogen atoms in which at least three carbon atoms separate said nitrogen atoms. Said salts are preferably substantially free from corresponding diamines. They are useful as catalysts for interfacial polycarbonate preparation by the reaction of phosgene with at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound. Polycarbonate preparation using such catalysts is economical in phosgene consumption, is accompanied by a rapid conversion of chloroformate groups to desirable species and affords a product with a very low proportion of unreacted dihydroxyaromatic compound.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of tris(4-hydroxyphenyl) compounds is provided. In particular, an improved method for preparing 1, 1,1-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethane is provided which comprises heating a mixture comprising phenol and 4-hydroxy acetophenone in the presence of effective amounts of an ion exchange catalyst and a mercaptan as a copromoter such that the resulting 1,1,1-tris(4'-hydroxyphenyl)ethane is substantially free of various reaction impurities.

Abstract: 1,1,1-Tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane in admixture with bisphenol A is obtained by the reaction of 2,4-pentanedione with excess phenol under acidic conditions and in the presence of a mercapto compound as promoter. The products may be separated by extracting bisphenol A with a chlorinated alkane. Purification of the resulting 1,1,1-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane is achieved by slurrying in and/or recrystallization from methanol-water, optionally with addition of an alkali metal borohydride or dithionite.