Abstract: A high performance UPR (unsaturated polyester resin) is disclosed. The UPR comprises recurring units of phthalic anhydride, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and maleic anhydride. It has a fumarate/maleate ratio 85/15 or greater. It has a bi- or multi-modal molecular weight distribution. A high molecular weight portion of the UPR has a peak molecular weight (Mp) 50,000 or greater. It has a weight average molecular weight (Mw) 15,000 or greater. An ortho UPR of the invention performs as well as or better than traditional iso UPR.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. It comprises supporting the catalyst, forming a slurry of the supported catalyst in an organic solvent, mixing the catalyst slurry with trialkyl aluminum compound, and polymerizing ethylene in the presence of the trialkyl aluminum-treated catalyst slurry. The process gives polyethylene having a controlled long-chain-branch index.

Abstract: A process for making an ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is disclosed. The process is performed with a supported quinolinoxy-containing single-site catalyst in the presence of a non-alumoxane activator, but in the absence of an &agr;-olefin, an aromatic solvent, and hydrogen. The process significantly increases the catalyst activity and the UHMWPE produced has improved tensile and impact properties.

Abstract: A process for making MD (machine direction) oriented polyethylene film is disclosed. The process comprises blending a high-molecular weight, medium-density polyethylene (HMW MDPE) and a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), converting the blend into a thick film, and orienting the thick film into a thinner film in the machine direction. The resulting film has high modulus, high gloss, low haze, and relatively high MD tear and dart impact.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The polyethylene has a long-chain-branching index (LCBI) of 1 or greaster. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. The catalyst is alkylated with triisobutyl aluminum.

Abstract: Allyl carbamates are disclosed. The allyl carbamates are prepared by reacting an isocyanate with an allylic alcohol or alkoxylated allylic alcohol. Suitable isocyanates are selected from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), HDI biuret, dimer, HDI trimer, HDI allophanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), IPDI trimer, IPDI allophanate, bis(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, and mixtures thereof. The allyl carbamates have at least two allyl functional groups per molecule. UV-curable and air-drying coatings formulated from the allyl carbamates show excellent chemical resistance and physical properties.

Abstract: A process for making unsaturated polyesters from 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) is disclosed. The process comprises reacting one equivalent of an aromatic diacid with about two equivalents of MPD to produce an ester diol and then reacting one equivalent of the ester diol with from about 1.1 to about 1.9 equivalents of maleic anhydride to produce the polyester. The polyester has a fumarate/maleate ratio of 90/10 or greater.

Abstract: A propylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process gives polypropylene having isotactic and atactic stereoblock sequences. The process is performed in the presence of a non-bridged bisindenoindol-based single-site catalyst. The polypropylene produced has an isotactic pentad (mmmm) content within the range of about 10 mole % to about 70 mole %.

Abstract: A high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW, MDPE) is disclosed. The polyethylene comprises from about 85 to about 98 wt % of recurring units of ethylene and about 2 to about 15 wt % of a C3-C10 &agr;-olefin. It has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI2 from about 0.01 to about 0.5 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio MFR from about 50 to about 300. It has a multimodal molecular weight distribution comprising a high molecular weight component and a low molecular weight component. The low molecular weight component has an MI2 from about 50 to about 600 dg/min and a density from about 0.94 to about 0.97 g/cc. A process for making the medium density polyethylene is also disclosed. The process uses a Ziegler catalyst and applies multiple reaction zones.

Abstract: A process for preparing vinyl aromatic-allylic alcohol copolymers, such as styrene-allyl alcohol (SAA) copolymers, is disclosed. The process is conducted in the presence of a solvent, which enables the preparation of copolymers having both low hydroxyl functionalities and low molecular weights. SAA copolymers produced by the process have an average hydroxyl functionality less than about 4.

Abstract: A clear and printable polypropylene film is disclosed. The film is prepared from a blend of a polypropylene and an ethylene/alkyl acrylate copolymer. It has an excellent adhesion with commonly used inks without surface treatment.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization process is disclosed. The process uses a single-site catalyst that contains a boraaryl ligand. The catalyst is premixed with alkyl aluminum to reduce the induction time of the catalyst. In addition, premixing the catalyst with triethyl aluminum significantly enhances the bulk density of polyethylene.

Abstract: A liquid epoxy-functional acrylic resin is disclosed. The resin comprises 10-90 wt % of recurring units of an epoxy-functional allylic monomer and 10-90 wt % of an acrylic monomer that has a homopolymer Tg less that 0° C. The epoxy-functional allylic monomer has the general structure: R is hydrogen, a C1-C10 aryl, or a C6-C12 aryl group; A is an oxyalkylene group; and n, which is an average number of oxyalkylene groups, is within the range of 0 to about 15.

Abstract: A catalytic dehydrogenation of alkylene glycol ether to ether ketone or aldehyde is disclosed. The dehydrogenation is performed with copper chromite catalyst and at least 5 wt % of water based on alkylene glycol ether. It has been found that the selectivity to formation of ether ketone or aldehyde increases with increasing the amount of water in the alkylene glycol ether.

Abstract: A process for making an allylic copolymer is disclosed. The process is a free radical copolymerization of a mono-ethylenic monomer, a multi-ethylenic monomer, and a mono-allylic monomer. The copolymer produced has a high molecular weight and a broad molecular weight distribution, and it is particularly useful as a toner resin.

Abstract: A blend comprising a high molecular weight, medium density polyethylene (HMW, MDPE) and a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) is disclosed. The blend comprises from about 20 wt % to about 80 wt % of HMW MDPE. The HMW MDPE has a density from about 0.92 to about 0.944 g/cc, a melt index MI2 from about 0.01 to about 0.5 dg/min, and a melt flow ratio MFR from about 50 to about 300. The blend also comprises about 20 wt % to about 80 wt % of LLDPE. The LLDPE has a density within the range of about 0.90 to about 0.925 g/cc and an MI2 within the range of about 0.50 to about 50 dg/min. The blend provides films with significantly improved toughness and tear strength compared to MDPE or HDPE, and high modulus compared to LLDPE.

Abstract: A water-dispersible polyurethane resin is disclosed. The resin comprises recurring units of an alkoxylated phenolic resin, a carboxylate-containing diol, and a multifunctional isocyanate. The resin, which can be neutralized, and/or chain-extended, is dispersed in water to form a polyurethane dispersion. Coatings derived from the polyurethane dispersions have excellent acid and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A process for making an allylic copolymer is disclosed. The process is a free radical copolymerization of a mono-ethylenic monomer, a multi-ethylenic monomer, and a mono-allylic monomer. The copolymer produced has a high molecular weight and a broad molecular weight distribution, and it is particularly useful as a toner resin.

Abstract: An additive for distillate and a fuel composition having improved cloud point depressant properties. The additive is incorporated into a major proportion of distillate fuel and is a maleic anhydride &agr;-olefin copolymer or a polyimide having the following structure: wherein R has at least 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon substituent from about 14 to about 16 carbons, X is oxygen or wherein N is nitrogen and R′ has at least 80% by weight of a hydrocarbon substituent from 16 to 18 carbons, and n is from about 2 to about 30 when X is oxygen, and from about 2 to about 17 when X is Alternatively, the cloud point additive can be an ethylene vinyl acetate isobutylene terpolymer.

Abstract: An ethylene polymerization catalyst and catalyst system which provides an ethylene copolymer which is characterized by desirable ER shift values. The high level ER shift of these polymers produce films having high impact strength. The catalyst is prepared by treating a support material with an agent selected from the group consisting of a compound having the structural formula BX53, where X5 is fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine or OR5, where R5 is C1-C6 alkyl; a compound having the structural formula X62 where X6 is fluorine, bromine or iodine; a compound having the structural formula NR6, where R6 is C1-C6 alkyl or OR7, where R7 is C1-C8 alkyl; and a compound having the structural formula Ti(OR8)4, where R8 is C1-C6 alkyl or phenyl to reduced surface hydroxyl group concentration of the support material. The thus treated support material is thereupon contacted with a dialkylmagnesium compound or complex, an alcohol compound or a silane compound and a transition metal compound, in that order.