Abstract: Provided is a liquid-crystalline polyester with good properties obtainable by subjecting a prepolymer consisting of the repeating units represented by formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV): to heat treatment in a substantially solid state.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method for preparing 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid from di-lower alkyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate, which is characterized in that hydrolyzing di-lower alkyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate in a specified amount of water in the presence of specified amount of hydrophobic organic solvent and an additive; that hydrolyzing di-lower alkyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate in a specific amount of a mixed solvent of non-water miscible alcohol and water; or in that di-lower alkyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate is hydrolyzed in two steps wherein the 1st step comprises hydrolyzing said ester in a water miscible organic solvent in the presence of a small amount of water, and the 2nd step comprises further hydrolyzing the reaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin comprising the steps of: 1) acylating the hydroxy group of major monomer components selected from the group consisting of aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid, aromatic diol and aromatic dicarboxylic acid, with an acylating agent, provided that said major monomer components comprise at least one of aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid and aromatic diol; and 2) polycondensing said major monomer components of which hydroxy group is acylated, wherein, the polycondensation reaction is carried out in the presence of a metal dihydrogen phosphate in an amount of 1-5000 ppm based on the total monomer components, and a liquid-crystalline polyester resin manufactured by the method and a composition comprising said resin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid-crystalline polyester obtainable by a method comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a prepolymer consisting of the repeating units represented by formulae (I), (II), (III) and (IV): wherein, p, q, r and s represent relative molar proportions (mol %) of the repeating units in the liquid-crystalline polyester resin and satisfy the following formulae: 60?p?80, 10?r?20, 10?q+s?20, 0.05?s/(q+s)?0.3, p+q+r+s=100; and (2) heating the prepolymer in substantially solid state at 250-350° C., provided that the liquid crystalline polyester has a deflection temperature under load of 280-340° C., and a melt viscosity of 10-60 Pa·s.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing crystalline parahydroxybenzoic acid anhydride, comprising the step of precipitating and isolating parahydroxybenzoic acid in an aqueous solvent at a temperature equal to or above the transition temperature of parahydroxybenzoic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for joining liquid-crystalline polyester resin composition parts, characterized in that the melting point of the liquid crystalline polyester resin measured by differential scanning calorimeter is 190-250° C. and that the parts are jointed by means of welding. By using the method of the present invention, jointed articles with sufficient joint strength are provided with accuracy.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing 3-nitro-4-alkoxybenzoic acid, which comprises the step of subjecting a mixture comprising 4-alkoxybenzoic acid and 40-80% nitric acid, wherein the amount of the 40-80% nitric acid is equal to or more than 8 times that of 4-alkoxybenzoic acid by weight, to a reaction at a temperature of 30-100° C.

Abstract: A thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer, which is obtainable by copolymerizing a trifunctional hydroxynaphthalene carboxylic acid represented by the general formula (I) and/or reactive derivative thereof with other polymerizing monomer(s) wherein one of m and n is 1 and the other is 2, and a composition including the polymer are provided. The molded article obtained from the thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer or the composition has less anisotropy in mechanical strength and improved weld strength.

Abstract: The present invention provides a safe charge control agent which exhibits an excellent negative chargeability and excellent dispersibility in and compatibility with binder resins, and is even applicable for col or toners. Specifically, the charge control agent consists of a naphthol derivative of formula [I]: and a salt thereof, and an electrophotographic toner comprising the agent are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid comprising: (1) providing 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol which may contain up to 0.5% by weight of 3,3?,5,5?-tetra-tert-butyl-4,4?-dihydroxybiphenyl; (2) reacting a basic alkali metal compound with an excess amount of the 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol, which is in excess of the basic alkali metal compound, to give the alkali metal 2,6-di-tert-butylphenolate; and (3) reacting the alkali metal 2,6-di-tert-butylphenolate obtained in step (2) with carbon dioxide to give 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid. According to the method of the present invention, 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzoic acid can be obtained with high and stable yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alkylenebisnaphthol derivative represented by formula [I]: and a salt thereof. The compound of the present invention has an excellent triboelectric charge property and useful as charge control agent for electrophotographic toners.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a 2-hydroxy-6-ureidocarbonyl naphthalene derivative. The method comprises the step of reacting 2-hydroxy-6-aminocarbonyl naphthalene and a isocyanate in an organic solvent at a temperature of 90–200° C. According to the present invention, 2-hydroxy-6-ureidocarbonyl naphthalene derivative can easily be obtained within relatively short time and high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid-crystalline polyester resin which comprises monomer units derived from 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid and/or 2-hydroxynaphthalene-3,6-dicarboxylic acid in an amount of 1-5000 mmol % based on the total monomer components of the resin and an alkaline metal compound in an amount of 10-3000 ppm as alkaline metal based on the total monomer components of the resin. The liquid-crystalline polyester resin of the present invention has good colorability, improved heat resistance and good mechanical properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel naphthol derivative represented by the following general formula (I). The novel naphthol derivative of the present invention is useful as a positively electrifiable charge control agent. The present invention further provides an electrophotographic toner comprising a charge control agent comprising the novel naphthol derivative represented by formula (I).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing dimer of a monohydroxy aromatic compound. In the method of the present invention, oxidative coupling reaction of a monohydroxy aromatic compound represented by formula [I]: Ar—OH??[I] wherein Ar represents an optionally substituted aromatic group is carried out in a nitrogen containing polar solvent in the presence of a copper salt. By the method of the instant invention, dimer of the monohydroxy aromatic compound can be obtained in high yield.

Abstract: The present invention provides a binaphthol compound represented by formula [1]: and a salt thereof. The binaphthol compound of the present invention is useful for manufacturing antiseptic compounds or chiral catalysts. According to the method of the present invention, binaphthol compounds can be prepared in high yield with low cost.

Abstract: Provided is a sugar alcohol composition for the use of stabilizing egg form of aerated liquid egg, comprising 55-100 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol on a dry weight basis. The sugar alcohol composition can aid to provide fairly stable egg foam as well as food product manufactured using aerated liquid egg.

Abstract: An aromatic dicarboxylic acid composition, essentially consisting of (a) at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid; (b) 1-3000 ppm of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 6-formyl-2-naphthoic acid, 6-methoxycarbonyl-2-naphthoic acid and trimellitic acid; (c) 1-1000 ppm of at least one alkali metal and (d) 0-3000 ppm of at least one transition metal is provided. By employing the composition in manufacturing liquid crystalline polyester, LPCs with good coloring property and improved heat resistance as well as excellent mechanical property can be obtained. The present invention also provides a liquid crystalline polyester resin prepared by using the composition.

Abstract: Aerated dough for foam-type baked product such as sponge cake with improved foam-stability is disclosed. The improvement had been achieved by substituting at least 20 wt % of total sweeteners contained in a conventional dough for a baked product with a sugar alcohol composition comprising 55-100 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and 45-0 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol and/or &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol and a mixture thereof on a dry weight basis.

Abstract: Baked goods products having crispy texture such as cookies and biscuits with improved moisture resistance are disclosed. The improvement can be achieved by substituting a part of or whole sweeteners contained in a dough for a conventional product with the sugar alcohol composition 70-100 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-mannitol, and 30-0 wt % of &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,6-sorbitol and/or &agr;-D-glucopyranosyl-1,1-sorbitol. The baked goods product obtained by baking the dough will exhibit an excellent moisture resistance.