Abstract: Aromatic compounds such as toluene and o-xylene are chlorinated in the presence of a catalyst combination prepared by combining (A) at least one salt comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group 4–12 metal, a lanthanide and an actinide; and a counterion; and (B) at least one organic sulfur compound, preferably phenothiazine-N-carbonyl chloride. The catalyst combination may include reaction products of (A) and (B). Under these conditions, production of the p-chloro isomer is optimized. In some embodiments said counterion is an organic counterion derived from at least one acidic organic compound selected from the group consisting of those with an approximate pKa value relative to water of at least about 3.

Abstract: A simulation system for generating a predicted performance for fabricated parts comprises a rheological degradation database for storing rheological degradation data for associated materials, a mechanical degradation database for storing mechanical degradation data for associated materials and a computer coupled to the rheological degradation database and the mechanical degradation database for computing part performance predictions for a respective material with a predetermined geometry under predetermined processing conditions, partially based on the rheological degradation data and the mechanical degradation data.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydroxyaromatic compounds brominated in the para-position, such as p-bromophenol, is disclosed. The method yields overall high process selectivity through isomeric equilibration and separation of the brominated products, thereby eliminating the need for high para selectivity in the products of catalytic oxybromination reactions of hydroxyaromatic compounds using oxygen, a bromine source, and an acidic medium in the presence of a metal catalyst. Furthermore, the invention provides an efficient method for recycling the metal catalyst, as well as reagents used in the bromination, to further reactions.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating plasma using a plasma generator system. The method includes the steps of introducing energy and a reactant to a plasma generation apparatus of the plasma generator system for generating plasma, and expanding and inductively coupling the generated plasma. In another embodiment a plasma generation system is provided including a plasma generation apparatus for generating thermal plasma. The thermal plasma is received by a plasma treatment chamber external to the plasma generation apparatus. A pressure control system maintains a lower pressure in the plasma treatment chamber than in the plasma generation apparatus during plasma generation for causing the thermal plasma to expand within the plasma treatment chamber. An inductor system inductively couples the thermal plasma.

Abstract: A method of preparing block copolymers by solid state polymerization is described. A mixture of a partially crystalline polycarbonate having activated terminal aryloxy groups, for example terminal methyl salicyl groups, when heated together with an oligomeric polyester having reactive terminal hydroxy groups under solid state polymerization conditions affords block copolymers. The activated terminal aryloxy groups play a key role in preserving the block lengths of the starting materials. A control sample in which the partially crystalline polycarbonate lacks activated terminal aryloxy groups, for example polycarbonates substituted by phenol, affords a much lower molecular weight, more highly randomized copolymer product. The product block copolymers are useful as “weatherable” plastic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent blends of polymers suitable for use in optical articles; the polymers contain residues of BCC and its derivatives, and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The polymers further contain residues of other polymers, such as ?-methyl polystyrene and polystyrene derivatives; bisphenols, such as bisphenol A; cycloaliphatic polyester resins, such as PCCD and its derivatives or some combination of each.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent blends of polymers suitable for use in optical articles; the polymers contain residues of BCC and its derivatives, and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The polymers further contain residues of other polymers, such as ?-methyl polystyrene and polystyrene derivatives; bisphenols, such as bisphenol A; cycloaliphatic polyester resins, such as PCCD and its derivatives or some combination of each.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent blends of polymers suitable for use in optical articles; the polymers contain residues of BCC and its derivatives, and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The polymers further contain residues of other polymers, such as ?-methyl polystyrene and polystyrene derivatives; bisphenols, such as bisphenol A; cycloaliphatic polyester resins, such as PCCD and its derivatives or some combination of each.

Abstract: Siloxane bischloroformates are prepared in a continuous process by phosgenating siloxane bisphenols in a flow reactor using a substantial excess of phosgene and sodium hydroxide. While very high levels (>95%) of conversion of the siloxane bisphenol to the corresponding siloxane bischloroformate are achieved using a flow reactor according to the method of the invention, only more modest conversion (˜90%) of the siloxane bisphenol to the corresponding siloxane bischloroformate is attained when analogous batch processes are employed. The process holds promise for use in the manufacture of silicone-containing copolycarbonates which requires high purity siloxane bischloroformate intermediates.

Abstract: A method of preparing a telechelic ionomeric polyester includes reacting a first diol with a sulfoaromatic carboxylic acid salt to form a sulfoaromatic carboxylate ester salt, and reacting the sulfoaromatic carboxylate ester salt with a diester and a second diol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to form a telechelic ionomeric polyester. Also disclosed are telechelic ionomeric polyesters.

Abstract: Disclosed are flame retardant resinous compositions comprising (i) at least one aromatic polycarbonate, (ii) at least one a rubber modified graft copolymer, (iii) at least one silyl borate ester, (iv) at least one organophosphorus compound, and (v) at least one fluoropolymer additive. The compositions exhibit improved surface properties in molded parts.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a catalyst composition used in the production of aromatic carbonates, and in particular to a catalyst composition which comprises an activating solvent. In one embodiment the disclosure relates to a catalyst composition which comprises to a combination of two activating solvents, a first activating solvent chosen for its coordinative properties, and a second activating solvent chosen for its dielectric constant properties. In alternative embodiments, the present disclosure also pertains to a method for producing aromatic carbonates using the catalyst compositions disclosed herein.

Abstract: Stable, homogeneous melt solutions are prepared at temperatures of 200° C. or less from solid mixtures comprising at least one diaryl carbonate, at least one high melting dihydroxy aromatic compound (mp>200° C.), a transesterification catalyst, and optionally a lower melting dihydroxy aromatic compound. Thus, a stable, homogeneous melt solution is obtained from a solid mixture comprising 4,4?-biphenol (mp 282-284° C.) at a temperature of about 200° C. using either diphenyl carbonate or bis(methyl salicyl) carbonate as the diaryl carbonate component. It is shown that formation of the stable, homogeneous melt solutions requires the presence of the transesterification catalyst when substantial amounts of the high melting dihydroxy aromatic compound are present in the initial solid mixture. Solid mixtures comprising a variety of high melting bisphenols; 4,4?-biphenol; 3,3,3,3?-tetramethylspirobiindanbisphenol, and 4,4?-sulfonyidiphenol are converted to stable, homogeneous melt solutions at 200° C.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a data storage medium, and in particular to a data storage medium comprising at least one high modulus layer used to control the overall degree of flatness in the storage medium.

Abstract: High yields of ester-substituted diary carbonates such as bis-methyl salicyl carbonate were obtained by the condensation of ester-substituted phenols with phosgene in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) and optionally a tertiary amine catalyst in a solvent free reaction system comprising an aqueous phase held at a pH of 8.3 or higher. The optimized conditions of the present invention use an excess of ester-substituted phenol relative to phosgene and high conversion of phosgene to ester-substituted diaryl carbonate is observed. The product ester-substituted diaryl carbonate may be conveniently isolated as a solid by filtration or as a liquid in which the excess ester-substituted phenols serves as solvent. The method represents an attractive route for the manufacture of bis methyl salicyl carbonate and ester-substituted diaryl carbonates generally. The ester-substituted diaryl carbonates are useful for the preparation and modification of polycarbonates.

Abstract: A mechanically flexible and environmentally stable organic electroluminescent (“EL”) device with directional light emission comprises an organic EL member disposed on a flexible substrate, a surface of which is coated with a multilayer barrier coating which includes at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent organic polymer and at least one sublayer of a substantially transparent inorganic material. The device includes a reflective metal layer disposed on the organic EL member opposite to the substrate. The reflective metal layer provides an increased external quantum efficiency of the device. The reflective metal layer and the multilayer barrier coating form a seal around the organic EL member to reduce the degradation of the device due to environmental elements.

Abstract: The present invention provides tough, high modulus, low density thermoset polyurethane compositions which are useful in general as, for example, cast structural materials and in a preferred embodiment can be cured directly onto an aircraft engine fan blade, thereby providing a lighter blade, without concomitant loss in structural integrity or blade performance due to, for example, resistance to foreign object impacts and fuel efficiency. In a preferred embodiment, the composition is comprised of bis-amine compounds reacted with isocyanate-functional polyether polymers in the presence of hollow polymeric microspheres. The thermoset polymer compositions are formed by casting into a mold which is formed by a cavity within the metallic or composite fan blade or guide vane in the form of a pocket and a removable caul sheet. After the elastomeric polyurethane foam is injected through at least one injector port into the mold, the foam is cured.

Abstract: A fused quartz article, such as a muffle tube or crucible, with enhanced creep resistance. The enhanced creep resistance is the result of controlled devitrification of the fused quartz article. Controlled devitrification is achieved by coating the article with a colloidal silica slurry doped with metal cations, such as barium, strontium, and calcium. The metal cations in the slurry promote nucleation and growth of cristobalite crystals into the fused quartz at temperatures in the range from about 1000° C. to about 1600° C. The cristobalite has significantly higher viscosity, and therefore greater creep resistance at elevated temperatures, than fused quartz. Methods for applying a doped coating to a fused quartz article and improving the creep resistance of a fused quartz article are also disclosed.

Abstract: Copolyorganosiloxanecarbonates are prepared by first preparing an oligomeric aromatic polycarbonate, such as an oligomeric bisphenol A polycarbonate, in the presence of a tertiary amine as the only catalyst species; contacting the oligomeric polycarbonate mixture with a polyorganosiloxane bis(aryl)chloroformate, such as the bischloroformate of hydroxy-terminated eugenol polydimethylsiloxane; and introducing phosgene and/or chain termination agent either continuously or in stages. A feature of the process is the presence of dihydroxyaromatic compound in only one charge, at the beginning. The products have excellent physical properties, including transparency.

Abstract: A rapid analysis method for the determination of polymer average molecular weight separates the polymer's high molecular weight fraction and determines its average molecular weight using a molar mass detector and a concentration detector. The method avoids time consuming sample preparation, allows for separation of interfering low molecular weight components, and is suitable for automation.