Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing top anti-reflective coating compositions having a very low level of metal ions, utilizing specially treated ion exchange resins. A method is also provided for producing semiconductor devices using such top anti-reflective coating compositions.

Abstract: A process of removing trace metal impurities from an impure resist component solution comprising the steps of:(1) forming an impure resist component solution containing trace amounts of dissolved metallic impurities, the resist component solvent selected from the group consisting of ethyl lactate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, propylene glycol methyl ethyl acetate, or mixtures thereof;(2) contacting said impure resist component solution with a mixture of cyclohexane and isopropyl acetate and with an aqueous acidic solution for a sufficient amount of time to form a first two-phase reaction mixture comprising a first aqueous phase containing metallic impurities extracted from said impure resist component solution and a first organic phase containing said resist component solution with a reduced amount of trace metal impurities;(3) separating said first aqueous phase from said first organic phase;(4) contacting said first organic phase with a mixture of water and resist component solvent

Abstract: There is provided an aromatic polycarbonate obtained by reacting a carbonate precursor substance with a dihydric phenol comprising mainly 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenol)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane having specific characteristics. This aromatic polycarbonate has the following characteristics. That is, with respect to 5 wt % solution of the aromatic polycarbonate in methylene chloride, after being filtered through a filter having a pore diameter of 0.1 .mu.m, the light transmittance at 400 nm measured by using a quartz cell having an optical path length of 250 mm, is 85% or more in terms of light transmittance per cm of the polymer; and when 0.7 g of the aromatic polycarbonate is dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride, the specific viscosity of the thus obtained solution measured at 20.degree. C., is in the range of 0.160 to 0.418.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resins having a very low level of metal ions, utilizing treated ion exchange resins. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition having a very low level of metal ions from such novolak resins and for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: Natural latex rubber having reduced protein contamination is achieved by a method wherein rubber latex is contacted with an anion exchange resin at a pH greater than the isoelectric point of the proteins. After allowing the protein to complex with the resin, the protein-resin complex is separated from the latex to provide latex rubber having reduced protein contamination. Alternatively, or in addition, cation exchange resin may be contacted with latex rubber to increase the solubility of latex protein in the latex. In another embodiment, ion exchange resin may be added to water, and the water used to wash an article formed of latex, to thereby reduce protein contamination in the article. The methods allow the manufacture of latex-based articles having reduced irritability to skin.

Abstract: A film including semi-crystalline cycloolefin copolymers which have a content of catalyst residues of <100 ppm and their use as capacitor films, reproduction films, film keyboards and film switches, substrates for liquid crystal displays and packaging films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid catalyzed thermal polycondensation process for producing amino acid polymers. More specifically, amino acid polymers are produced by thermally condensing a mixture of one or more amino acids and optionally one or more polyfunctional monomers, using an acid catalyst, while maintaining an intimate admixture. Processing techniques useful for maintaining an intimate admixture include adding to the mixture one or more processing aids, using mechanical means, and combinations thereof. The amino acid polymers produced by this process are useful as cleaning and detergent additives; fertilizer and pesticide additives; personal care product additives; dispersants for inorganic particulates, aqueous emulsions, and drilling muds; and water treatment and oil production operation additives as corrosion and scale inhibitors.

Abstract: An alkali metal compound such as metallic cesium, cesium hydroxide, cesium hydroxide monohydrate, metallic rubidium, rubidium hydroxide or rubidium hydroxide monohydrate is used as a catalyst, crude polyoxyalkylene polyol containing the catalyst is neutralized with a mineral acid or an organic acid, an aqueous solution layer containing an alkali metal salt is brought into contact with an anion exchange resin to adsorb mineral acid anion or organic acid anion, the alkali metal compound catalyst is recovered, alkylene oxide undergoes ring-opening addition polymerization on an active hydrogen compound in the presence of the recovered alkali metal compound catalyst to prepare polyoxyalkylene polyol, the catalyst is thereafter separated, recovered and reused, and such recycle of the alkali metal compound catalyst provides an economical process.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing photoresist compositions having a very low level of metal ions, utilizing specially treated ion exchange resins. A method is also provided for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the water-whitening resistance of a pressure sensitive adhesive containing an aqueous latex emulsion and water-soluble ions by removing the water-soluble ions and adjusting the pH of the pressure sensitive adhesive formulation to at least about 6.0. The preferred method of removing the water-soluble ions is to contact either the aqueous latex emulsion, the formulated pressure sensitive adhesive containing the aqueous latex emulsion, or both with ion exchange resin. The product produced by the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: High melting point perfluorinated tetrafluoroethylene polymers dissolved in supercritical carbon dioxide at elevated temperatures and high pressures. The solutions are useful for making foams, spun-bonded or paper-like webs, or for purification of polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing top anti-reflective coating compositions having a very low level of metal ions, utilizing specially treated ion exchange resins. A method is also provided for producing semiconductor devices using such top anti-reflective coating compositions.

Abstract: The disclosed invention pertains to a process for the preparation of a water-soluble, nitrogen-containing, epihalohydrin-based resin having a reduced content of total halogen, organic halogen, adsorbable organic halogen (AOX)and by-products. The process involves treatment of nitrogen-containing, epihalohydrin-based resins or intermediate reaction-products with a basic ion-exchanger. The invention also pertains to novel resins displaying such halogen contents far below the values known in the art. Subject resins are useful as wet-strength agents for paper and are preferably of the polyaminoamide-epihalohydrin type.

Abstract: A material of a cycloolefin copolymer has a structure of alternating cycloolefin sequences, and has crystallinity in a temperature range from 210.degree. to 320.degree. C. The cycloolefin is prepared by polymerization of at least one polycyclic olefin, monocyclic and/or acyclic olefin with an open-chain olefin using a catalyst of a metallocene and an aluminoxane.

Abstract: There is provided an aromatic polycarbonate obtained by reacting a carbonate precursor substance with a dihydric phenol comprising mainly 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenol)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane having specific characteristics. This aromatic polycarbonate has the following characteristics. That is, with respect to 5 wt % solution of the aromatic polycarbonate in methylene chloride, after being filtered through a filter having a pore diameter of 0.1 .mu.m, the light transmittance at 400 nm measured by using a quartz cell having an optical path length of 250 mm, is 85% or more in terms of light transmittance per cm of the polymer; and when 0.7 g of the aromatic polycarbonate is dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride, the specific viscosity of the thus obtained solution measured at 20.degree. C., is in the range of 0.160 to 0.418.

Abstract: A procedure is described for wet chemical surface modification of formed articles and substrates coated with made of organopolysiloxanes: the articles formed were contacted with metal hydroxide solutions to tailor the binding capacity for ions, particularly metal ions, bivalent cations, organic macro anions, and organic macro cations, e.g. proteins. The procedure creates organopolysiloxane surfaces which are better wettable, have reduced surface resistance, are less sticky, are smoother and more biocompatible.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing water insoluble, aqueous alkali soluble novolak resins having a very low level of metal ions and a substantially consistent molecular weight. A method is also provided for producing photoresist composition from such novolak resins and for producing semiconductor devices using such photoresist compositions.

Abstract: The aqueous dispersions from the polymerization of fluorinated thermoplastics can be worked up to a high value product (e.g., substantially purified of cations resulting from the polymerization) in a continuous manner, if the cations are first removed from the aqueous dispersion, the dispersion is then compressed and decompressed through small openings, thereby being coagulated, the coagulated phase is washed on a filter and partially dewatered, subsequently broken up to give a free-flowing product and this is dried to the desired residual moisture content. Qualitatively high value products, which can be directly fed to a melt extruder, are thus obtained with high throughputs.

Abstract: A method of removing metal impurities from a resist component, comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving said resist component in a solvent;(b) washing a cation exchange resin with a solution of a quaternary ammonium compound;(c) contacting the prewashed cation exchange resin with the solution of resist component to remove metal impurities from said solution of resist component; and(d) separating said cation exchange resin bearing said metal impurities from said resist component solution.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to adsorbing polymeric hydrocarbons (ie. polymers of iso-butylene, polymers of the isomers of iso-butylene (poly-butenes) and co-polymers of iso-butylene and other olefins (butyl rubber) from hydrocarbon or raffinate streams using activated carbon as the adsorbent. One embodiment includes the selective removal of poly-isobutylene (PIB) from a hydrocarbon stream by activated carbon. The stream which can exceed 100 ppm PIB is contacted with the activated carbon for a sufficient time to reduce the PIB content of the hydrocarbon stream to less than about 1 ppm.

Abstract: Process for isolating macrocyclic polyester oligomers from impurities comprising the step of subjecting solutions of macrocyclic polyester oligomers to protonated molecular sieves.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization is conducted with a Ziegler-Natta catalyst in which unreacted monomer is recycled to the reactor. The recycle line contains a supported nickel or nickel oxide to purify the unreacted monomer before its return to the reactor, and results in improved catalyst activity and more control over physical properties of the product.

Abstract: Metallic, ash-producing residues which remain in poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer after its preparation from poly(vinyl acetate) are removed by a process which involves contacting a slurry of the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer, after preparation and before polymer isolation, with ion-exchange resin particles, followed by removal of the ion-exchange resin particles from the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer particles utilizing size or weight differences between them. The poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer remains in the solid state throughout, avoiding dissolution and the need for re-precipitation.

Abstract: The surface of a polymer such as polypropylene, may be treated by contact with an amine donor such as ethylene diamine followed by irradiation with ultraviolet light of wave length of about 1800.ANG.-2800.ANG. to improve surface wettability.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of linear alternating copolymers of carbon monoxide and an ethylenically unsaturated compound by polymerizing the monomers in the presence of a suitable catalyst system, one or more components present in the reaction mixture being contaminated with alkali(ne earth) metal salt(s), which process involves a treatment by which at least part of the alkali(ne earth) metal salt is removed such that the total amount of alkali(ne earth) metals present in the copolymerization product is less than 1 part per million by weight; a copolymer composition comprising said copolymer, an alkali(ne earth) metal salt contaminant and a stabilizing quantity of a substance which is able to bind at least part of the alkali(ne earth) metal salt.

Abstract: A method of removing ionic impurities from a resist component, comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving said resist component in a solvent;(b) contacting said resist component solution with a fibrous ion exchange resin for a sufficient amount of time to remove at least a portion of said ionic impurities onto said fibrous ion exchange resin; and(c) separating said fibrous ion exchange resin bearing said ionic impurities from said resist component solution.

Abstract: A process for removing alkali metal alkoxide catalyst residue from anionically polymerized hydroxy terminated conjugated diene polymer. The process comprises contacting a solution of such a polymer with an adsorbent which can be an ultrastable Y zeolite in the hydrogen form or a large pore size, low surface area cationic exchange resin.

Abstract: Polyolefins are produced by a process which includes the steps of: polymerizing an olefin in a reaction zone; removing unreacted olefin from the polymer in a flash chamber and recycling the unreacted olefin to the reaction zone; stripping unreacted olefin from the polymer by passing a stripping gas through the polymer in a stripping zone; passing the unreacted olefin from the stripping zone at superatmospheric pressure through an adsorbent which selectively adsorbs olefins; depressurizing the adsorbent to produce a substantially pure olefin and recycling the substantially pure olefin to the reaction zone; purging the adsorbent bed with a nonadsorbable gas to remove residual unreacted olefin from the adsorbent; and passing the purge gas-unreacted olefin to the stripping zone to be used as stripping gas.

Abstract: Metallic, ash-producing residues which remain in poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer after its preparation by hydrolysis of poly(vinyl acetate) are removed by a process which involves contacting a slurry of the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer with ion-exchange resin particles, followed by removal of the ion-exchange resin particles from the poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer particles utilizing size or weight differences between them. The poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer remains in the solid state throughout, avoiding dissolution and the need for reprecipitation.

Abstract: A chemically modified chelate resin comprising the reaction product of a cross-linked polymer bead chelate resin containing amine reaction sites with an aromatic aldehyde selected from the group consisting of 4-Formyl-benzo-15-Crown-5; 4-Formyl-benzo-18-Crown-6; 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde; 3-ethoxy salicylaldehyde; salicylaldehyde; 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde, 3-pyridine carboxaldehyde; 4-pyridine carboxaldehyde; and pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde.

Abstract: Alumina-based adsorbents containing at least one compound of an alkali or alkaline earth metal, wherein the alkali or alkaline earth metal values are present in an amount ranging from 15 mmole to 100 mmole per 100 g of alumina, are useful for the adsorptive purification of polyolefins prepared by the polymerization of olefins in the presence of a metallic coordination catalyst, to remove contaminating catalyst metal values therefrom with but negligible monomer/solvent isomerization.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easily employed and economical process for removing substantially all of the metals from vinylphenol polymers by dissolving the vinylphenol polymer in a solvent and contacting the solution with a strong acidic cation exchange resin. In this way, vinylphenol polymers of high purity are attained, with a metal content which is virtually eliminated or substantially reduced.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for improving the water-whitening resistance of a pressure sensitive adhesive containing an aqueous latex emulsion and water-soluble ions by removing the water-soluble ions and adjusting the pH of the pressure sensitive adhesive formulation to at least about 6.0. The preferred method of removing the water-soluble ions is to contact either the aqueous latex emulsion, the formulated pressure sensitive adhesive containing the aqueous latex emulsion, or both with ion exchange resin. The product produced by the process is also disclosed.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method of purifying a polyacrylonitrile which comprises removing iron compounds or ions thereof and aluminum compounds or ions thereof which can be contained as impurities in a polyacrylonitrile obtained by aqueous suspension polymerization using an inorganic redox initiator, from a solution consisting of said polyacrylonitrile and an organic solvent capable of dissolving said polyacrylonitrile, by the use of a substance having ion-exchanging ability which is insoluble in said organic solvent; a process for producing fiber from the polyacrylonitrile thus purified; and a process for producing carbon fiber from said fiber.

Abstract: Recently, vinylphenol polymers have received special attention as materials for photoresists, since these materials have excellent transmittance of deep ultraviolet light in the neighborhood of 248 nm. Although particularly useful in this regard, vinylphenol polymers usually contain metal impurities, while photoresists must have high transmittance and extremely low metal content. As a result, vinylphenol polymers satisfying these requirements have not been available on industrial scale. In the present invention, a process for producing such purified vinylphenol polymers, both economically and easily, is realized. In the process of this invention, the vinylphenol polymer solution is hydrogenated and the hydrogenated solution is contacted with a strongly acidic cation exchange resin. In this way, substantially metal-free vinylphenol polymers are obtained.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there are provided cycloolefin random copolymers composed of ethylene and cycloolefin and containing substantially no polyethylene, and processes for preparing the same. Optical disc substrates prepared from the above-mentioned copolymers are excellent in transparency and also capable of minimizing the occurence of errors in reading of the discs due to quality of the substrates used therefor.

Abstract: Catalyst residue (e.g., trace Group VIII metal) is removed from a polyketone solution, and from the polyketone resin itself, by passing the solution through a column comprising a metal oxide (e.g., silica gel) which is effective in removing the residue therefrom or by mixing the polyketone solution with particulate metal oxide.

Abstract: A process is described for rendering amino-group polymer solutions substantially odorless. In one embodiment, a solution of the terpolymer of vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate is treated with 0.1-10% by weight of an acidic compound or an acidic ion-exchange resin to render the solution substantially odorless. Other vinyl pyrrolidone polymer solutions in water and alcohol are treated similarly with equally effective results.

Abstract: A process for separating an alkali metal or alkali metal compound from a polymer comprising a conjugated diolefin and/or an alkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer wherein a polymer and one or more alkali metal compounds is contacted with a suitable solid adsorbent. Preferably, the solid adsorbent will be selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica-alumina, silica and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided comprising the steps of contacting a Group VIII metal hydrogenation catalyst residue containing polymer solution with a chelating resin, the chelating resin comprising iminodiacetate ions, and recovering a polymer solution comprising less than 5 ppm by weight, based on the solution, of the hydrogenation catalyst residue metal. In a preferred embodiment, the chelating resin is contacted with the hydrogenation catalyst residue containing polymer solution by mixing particles of the chelating resin with the hydrogenation catalyst residue containing polymer solution under agitation, and the polymer solution containing less than 5 ppm of hydrogenation catalyst metals is recovered from the chelating resin and resulting precipitated hydrogenation catalyst residues by filtration.

Abstract: Epoxy-modified hydrocarbon resins of this invention are prepared by copolymerizing hydrocarbon olefins mainly consisting of aromatic olefins such as indene, styrene, and coumarone with phenols and epoxidizing the copolymers with epichlorohydrin and are useful as modifiers and base polymers for coatings, adhesives, rubbers, and IC encapsulants and also as raw materials for the compatibilizers for incompatible polymer systems because of their capability of undergoing crosslinking or grafting reactions with polymers having functional groups or chemical compositions reactive with the epoxy groups.

Abstract: Polymer is recovered by ultrafiltration from a whitewater waste stream generated during the production of a polymer latex. The whitewater stream is circulated through an ultrafiltration system in laminar flow, under conditions of shear insufficient to destabilize the whitewater emulsion, and the recovered polymer is in the form of an emulsion which may be blended at significant levels into the original polymer latex without degrading its performance properties.

Abstract: The concentration of hydrogen chloride in an aqueous suspension of a macromolecular chlorinated hydrocarbon containing said hydrogen chloride is reduced by contacting liquid phase of the suspension with a strong basic ion exchange resin containing exchangeable hydroxy groups or with a weak basic ion exchange resin.

Abstract: A method for identification and quantification of sulfonation by-products by ion chromatography. The method utilizes 2 eluants and preferably 3 eluants to identify and quantify the by-products on a single chromatographic run.

Abstract: A method of modifying a synthetic resin comprises treating a solution or dispersion of the synthetic resin containing water-soluble electrolytes as impurities is treated with basic or acidic, water-insoluble fine particles which have been purified and classified, whereby cations having origin in the electrolytes are fixed in the acidic fine particles or anions having origin in the electrolytes are fixed in the basic fine particles. Synthetic resins modified in accordance with the modification method are produced.

Abstract: A process for preparing a positive resist composition, which process includes the steps of condensation reacting a quinone diazide sulfonyl halogenide with a phenol compound, mixing a condensation reaction mixture with a solution of an alkali-soluble resin in a resist solvent and removing impurities from the mixture, whereby the overall processing time can be shortened.

Abstract: A process to hydrogenate and deodorize a polyisobutylene polymer of from 100 to 4000 molecular weight and cosmetic dermatological compositions containing the hydrogenated, deodorized polyisobutylene polymers are disclosed.

Abstract: An improved process for crystallizing polymer subjected to temperature rising elution fractionation is provided. The process improves the separation of the polymer species upon elution and significantly reduces "tailing" typically observed with such fractionated species. The improvements consists of crystallizing the polymer from a dilute polymer solution outside of the column and in the absence of column packing material. Only after crystallization is the polymer combined with the column packing material. This can be accomplished by either dry-blending or by slurrying.

Abstract: A process is provided for removing rhodium-containing catalyst residue from a solution of hydrogenated nitrile rubber. The process utilizes an ion exchange resin which must be both macroreticular and modified with a selected amine, thiol, carbodithioate, thiourea and/or dithiocarbamate functional group. The process is capable of removing rhodium from viscous rubber solutions containing less than 10 ppm rhodium. In a preferred embodiment, the process is undertaken in an ion-exchange column.

Abstract: A process for producing a cycloolefin random copolymer, which comprises(1) copolymerizing (a) ethylene or both ethylene and an alpha-olefin having at least 3 carbon atoms with (b) a cycloolefin such as octahydronaphthalenes and bicyclo[2,2,1]hept-2-ene in the presence of (c) a catalyst formed from a soluble vanadium compound and an organoaluminum compound at least one of which has halogen, in (d) a liquid phase composed of a hydrocarbon medium to form a solution of a cycloolefin random copolymer, and(2) contacting the resulting copolymer solution with (e) an adsorbent containing a metal cation.