Abstract: A process for making bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalates useful as antiplasticizers for thermoplastic polyesters is disclosed. Dimethyl terephthalate is reacted with an excess of an aryloxyalkanol in the presence of a condensation catalyst to produce an intermediate mixture comprising a bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, a mono(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate, and unreacted aryloxyalkanol. This mixture continues to react at reduced pressure while unreacted aryloxyalkanol is removed and the mono-ester content is reduced to less than 1 mole % based on the combined amounts of mono- and bis-esters. Both steps are performed substantially in the absence of oxygen. Additional unreacted aryloxyalkanol is then removed to provide a purified bis(aryloxyalkyl)terephthalate having an overall purity of at least 98 mole % and a yellowness index less than 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new catalyst supports comprising nanofibers, a catalyst system comprising these supports as well as a process for preparing nanocomposites and the nanocomposites prepared. The invention especially concerns a supported catalyst system for polymerization of olefins, comprising a support made of fibers or a fleece of fibers, wherein the mean fiber diameter is less than 1000 nm, preferably less than 500 nm and the mean fiber length is more than 200,000 nm, preferably more than 500,000 nm and especially preferred more than 1,000,000 nm as well as a process for polymerizing olefinic systems in the presence of these catalyst systems and the resulting nanocomposites.