Abstract: The present invention relates to an initiation system composed of the reaction product of at least one cyclic siloxane and at least one organometalic compound of sufficient reactivity to open the siloxane ring. Application of the present invention is to the preparation of homopolymers of (meth)acrylic, vinylaromatic or diene monomers, random or block copolymers of these monomers and, in particular, application to poly(methylmethacrylate) with a high content of isotactic triads.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an initiation system composed of the reaction product of at least one cyclic siloxane and at least one organometalic compound of sufficient reactivity to open the siloxane ring.

Abstract: Living random (meth)acrylic copolymers, facilely converted into random co(meth)acrylates and block copolymers thereof, comprise the anionic copolymerizates of at least one comonomer A with at least one comonomer B selected from among the (meth)acrylates and maleimides, at least one of the comonomers A and B comprising a (meth)acrylate, in the presence of (i) at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, mono- or difunctional initiator and (ii) at least one ligand, for example a nonnitrogenous macrocyclic complexant, e.g., a crown ether, or an alkali metal alcoholate.

Abstract: Living random (meth)acrylic copolymers, facilely converted into random co(meth)acrylates and block copolymers thereof, comprise the anionic copolymerizates of at least one comonomer A with at least one comonomer B selected from among the (meth)acrylates and maleimides, at least one of the comonomers A and B comprising a (meth)acrylate, in the presence of (i) at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, mono- or difunctional initiator and (ii) at least one ligand, for example a nonnitrogenous macrocyclic complexant, e.g., a crown ether, or an alkali metal alcoholate.

Abstract: The presently claimed invention comprises a biopolymer nanoparticle for drug delivery wherein the nanoparticle comprises a homogeneous blend of an aliphatic polyester polymer blended with a polyether, a lipophilic or polypeptide drug and a biocompatible cholesterol interacting agent for preserving the activity of the drug administered to the patient while at the same time controlling the release of the drug. Methods for making the homogeneous drug delivery nanoparticles are also disclosed.

Abstract: The process for the controlled radical (co)polymerization of (meth)acrylic and/or vinyl monomers is characterized in that the bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension polymerization or copolymerization is carried out, at a temperature at which can fall to 0.degree. C., of at least one of the said monomers in the presence of an initiating system comprising a radical-generating compound and at least one catalyst composed of a metal complex containing a ligand of the type?4-R.sup.3 -2,6-(CH.sub.2 NR.sup.1 R.sup.2).sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.2 !--(I)in which: R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, which are identical or different, represent a branched or unbranched C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group or a phenyl group or alternatively R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 form, with the nitrogen atom to which they are connected, a cyclic amine or alternatively the two R.sup.2 groups, taken together, form a polymethylene bridge and R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl or benzyl group or an electron-donating or electron-withdrawing functional group.

Abstract: This process is characterized in that at least one of the said monomers is polymerized or copolymerized in bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension, at a temperature which may be as low as 0.degree. C., in the presence of an initiator system comprising at least one non-peroxy radical-generator compound and at least one catalyst consisting of a metal complex represented by formula Ma.sub.a (L).sub.n in which M represents Rh, Co or Ir; A represents, a halogen or a pseudohalogen; the groups L, which may be identical or different, each represent a ligand which may be a chiral ligand, which is chosen from cyclooctadiene, PRR'R", P(OR) (OR') (OR"), NRR'R", ORR', SRR', SeRR', AsRR'R", SbRR'R", each radical R, R' and R" independently representing an optionally substituted C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 alkyl group or an optionally substituted aromatic group, it being possible for at least two of these ligands to be joined together by one or more divalent radicals; a is an integer such that 1.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.

Abstract: This process is characterized by the fact that at least one of the said monomers is polymerized or copolymerized in bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension, at a temperature that can be as low as 0.degree. C., in the presence of an initiation system including: at least one compound generating radicals, other than bromofluorene, and at least one catalyst consisting of a complex of palladium in the 0 oxidation state, denoted by the following formula (I): Pd(0)L.sup.1 L.sup.2 L.sup.3 L.sup.4 in which each of L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3 and L.sup.4, which are identical or different, denotes a ligand which may be a chiral ligand, which is chosen from PRR'R", P(OR)(OR')(OR"), NRR'R", ORR', SRR', SeRR', AsRR'R", SbRR'R", where each of R, R' and R" independently denotes a C.sub.1 -C.sub.14 alkyl group, optionally substituted, or an optionally substituted aromatic group, it being possible for at least two of these ligands to be joined to one another by one or more divalent radicals.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a star shaped block polymer of formula (PA--PB--PC).sub.n --N--(PD--PE).sub.m wherein PA, PB and PC are respectively vinylaromatic/methacrylic blocks, acrylic blocks and methacrylic blocks. PD is a polymer block selected from vinylaromatic and/or methacrylic monomer units, PE is an acrylic polymer block, n is 2 to 20 and m is 0 to 18 with the proviso that m+n is .ltoreq.20. The process proceeds by anionic polymerization in the presence of a monofunctional initiator of formula (II),(R).sub.p --Mwherein M is an alkali or alkaline earth metal, p is 1 or 2 and R is a straight or branched alkyl radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 substituted alkyl radical.

Abstract: This invention relates to an initiating system for the anionic polymerization of acrylic monomers, and where necessary vinyl comonomers, including at least one R-M initiator in which M is a metal chosen from among the alkali and alkaline earth metals and R is a linear or branched chain alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl radical. The polymerization may also take place in the presence of at least one R.sub.1 OM.sub.1 alkali metal alcoholate, in which R is an linear or branched chain alkyl, aryl, or arylalkyl radical and M.sub.1 is an alkali metal, on the condition that when M.sub.1 is lithium, then R is an aryl or arylalkyl radical. This invention also related to a process for the polymerization of primary, secondary, or tertiary alkyl acrylates, and possibly of vinyl comonomers, in the presence of the initiating system described above.

Abstract: An initiation system for the anionic polymerization of (meth)acrylic monomers and, optionally, nonacrylic vinyl monomers is disclosed. The initiation system comprises (1) a functional initiator and (2) an alkali metal alcoholate having the formula R'OM', in which M' is an alkali metal and R' is a group R.sup.1 (OR.sup.2).sub.m where R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl or arylalkyl radical, R.sup.2 is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene radical and m is equal to 1, 2 or 3. The initiation system is applied to the formation of (meth)acrylic homopolymers and block copolymers of (meth)acrylic monomers and, optionally, nonacrylic vinyl comonomers.

Abstract: Poly(alkyl (meth)acrylates) are inexpensively prepared, even on an industrial scale, by anionically polymerizing at least one alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer in the presence of a lithium-based initiator and in a liquid solvent medium in which the solubility parameter .delta. is less than 20, said initiator comprising an alcoholate having the formula ROLi, wherein R has the formula R.sup.1 (OR.sup.2).sub.m, in which R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and m is 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: A diblock copolymer obtained by polymerizing acrylic, methacrylic or nonacrylic vinyl monomers in the presence of a polymerization initiating amount of an initiation system including (1) at least one functional initiator and (2) an alkali metal alcoholate. The alcoholate has the formula:R'OM'in which M' is an alkali metal and R' has the formula:R.sup.1 (OR.sup.2).sub.min which R.sup.1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or an arylalkyl radical, R.sup.2 is a linear or branched alkylene radical containing from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and m is the integer 1, 2 or 3.

Abstract: The invention concerns the anionic polymerization of alkyl methacrylate in the presence of a priming system. The priming system comprises an organolithium primer and an organic compound of aluminum and pyridine. This priming system allows better polymerization control.

Abstract: Living random (meth)acrylic copolymers, facilely converted into random co(meth)acrylates and block copolymers thereof, comprise the anionic copolymerizates of at least one comonomer A with at least one comonomer B selected from among the (meth)acrylates and maleimides, at least one of the comonomers A and B comprising a (meth)acrylate, in the presence of (i) at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal, mono- or difunctional initiator and (ii) at least one ligand, for example a nonnitrogenous macrocyclic complexant, e.g., a crown ether, or an alkali metal alcoholate.

Abstract: Novel N-substituted maleimide homopolymers having a number-average molecular weight ranging from 12,000 to about 100,000 are prepared by anionically polymerizing an N-substituted maleimide monomer, in solvent phase, in the presence of at least one organometallic polymerization initiator which comprises sec-butyllithium, a sodium alcoholate, diphenylmethylpotassium, naphthalenelithium or naphthalenesodium, and novel N-substituted maleimide homopolymers having a polydispersity index ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 are prepared by anionically polymerizing an N-substituted maleimide monomer, in solvent phase, in the presence of at least one alkali metal organometallic polymerization initiator and at least one inorganic or organic salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; novel block copolymers include blocks of the above maleimido homopolymers and, e.g., blocks of an acrylic or methacrylic polymer.

Abstract: Compositions including at least one polyamide obtained by polycondensation of meta-xylylenediamine and of a dicarboxylic acid, as well as at least one copolymer based on methyl methacrylate and on acrylic and/or methacrylic acid, the said copolymer being advantageously at least partially neutralized with an alkali metal. These compositions exhibit a high melt viscosity at low shear rate, which facilitates their processing.

Abstract: Mechanically strong; heat-resistant and transparent PMMA polymers having a high content of syndiotactic triads, a number average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 500,000 and a polydispersity index ranging from 1.01 to 1.5, are prepared by anionically polymerizing methyl methacrylate, characteristically at a temperature of at least 0.degree. C., in the presence of (a) at least one organolithium or organosodium initiator and (b) at least one AlR.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 ligand, for example at least one di- or tri-phenoxy alkyl aluminum compound.

Abstract: The initiating system for the anionic polymerization of acrylic monomers, and where necessary, vinyl comonomers, including at least one R-M initiator in which M=a metal chosen from among the alkaline and alcaline earth metals and R=an alkyl with a linear or branched chain at C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 or aryl or arylalkyl, is characterized by the fact that the polymerization takes place in the presence also of at least one R.sub.1 OM.sub.1 alkaline metal alcoholate, in which R=an alkyl with a linear or branched chain at C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 or aryl or aryalkyl and M.sub.1 =an alkaline metal, on condition that when M.sub.1 is lithium, then R=an aryl or arylalkyl. Said process for the polymerization of primary, secondary, or tertiary alkyl acrylates, and possibly of vinyl comonomers, is characterized by the fact that the polymerization takes place in the presence of an initiating system as described above.

Abstract: Novel N-substituted maleimide homopolymers having a number-average molecular weight ranging from 12,000 to about 100,000 are prepared by anionically polymerizing an N-substituted maleimide monomer, in solvent phase, in the presence of at least one organometallic polymerization initiator which comprises sec-butyllithium, a sodium alcoholate, diphenylmethylpotassium, naphthalenelithium or naphthalenesodium, and novel N-substituted maleimide homopolymers having a polydispersity index ranging from 1.1 to 1.5 are prepared by anionically polymerizing an N-substituted maleimide monomer, in solvent phase, in the presence of at least one alkali metal organometallic polymerization initiator and at least one inorganic or organic salt of an alkali or alkaline earth metal; novel block copolymers include blocks of the above maleimido homopolymers and, e.g., blocks of an acrylic or methacrylic polymer.