Abstract: Polycarbonate nanocomposites comprising a polycarbonate matrix having non-oxidized metal nanoparticles dispersed therein are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposite is produced by a process comprising forming a reaction mixture comprising a dihydroxy compound, an activated carbonate, a metal precursor, and a solvent; and in-situ polymerizing the reaction mixture to form a nanocomposite comprising a polycarbonate matrix and metal nanoparticles dispersed therein. The metal precursor comprises a metal selected from a specified group. The nanocomposites have improved mechanical, optical, electrical and/or magnetic properties. Also disclosed are articles formed from such polycarbonate nanocomposites.

Abstract: Silicone polycarbonate block copolymers are disclosed that have a high elongation before yield, are clear, and have elastomeric properties. Generally, the silicone blocks are very short (less than about 50 organosiloxane repeat units) and the silicone blocks are substantially isolated from each other by bisphenol carbonate spacers.

Abstract: Polycarbonate nanocomposites comprising a polycarbonate matrix having non-oxidized metal nanoparticles dispersed therein are disclosed. The polycarbonate nanocomposite is produced by a process comprising forming a reaction mixture comprising a dihydroxy compound, an activated carbonate, a metal precursor, and a solvent; and in-situ polymerizing the reaction mixture to form a nanocomposite comprising a polycarbonate matrix and metal nanoparticles dispersed therein. The metal precursor comprises a metal selected from a specified group. The nanocomposites have improved mechanical, optical, electrical and/or magnetic properties. Also disclosed are articles formed from such polycarbonate nanocomposites.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a transparent/translucent molding composition and process for making prepared from an impact modifier and a resin blend of polycarbonate and a cycloaliphatic polyester having a matching index of refraction.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: A polycarbonate is provided that contains repeat units derived from isosorbide and a residue derived from an activated diaryl carbonate. The polycarbonate has 1H-NMR peaks associated with the repeat units derived from isosorbide. The polycarbonate contains no more than a maximum allowable amount of sorbitol-derived color bodies. If these color bodies are present in the polycarbonate it has a 1H-NMR peak associated with the color bodies. The maximum allowable amount of color bodies are present when the integrated area of the 1H-NMR peak associated with the color bodies divided by the integrated areas of the 1H-NMR peaks associated with the repeat units derived from isosorbide is 0.025.

Abstract: A method for forming a monomeric carbonate includes the step of combining a monofunctional alcohol or a difunctional diol with an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate to form a reaction mixture. Similarly, a method for forming a monomeric ester includes the step of combining a monofunctional carboxylic acid or ester with an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate to form a reaction mixture. These methods further include the step of allowing the reaction mixtures to react to form a monomeric carbonate or a monomeric ester, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of forming carbamates, ureas, and isocyanates. In certain embodiments these methods include the step of reacting an amine with an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate to form an activated carbamate which can be further derivitized to form non-activated carbamate or a urea. The urea or carbamate can be subjected to a pyrolysis reaction to form isocyanate.

Abstract: A polycarbonate is provided that contains repeat units derived from isosorbide and a residue derived from an activated diaryl carbonate. The polycarbonate has 1H-NMR peaks associated with the repeat units derived from isosorbide. The polycarbonate contains no more than a maximum allowable amount of sorbitol-derived color bodies. If these color bodies are present in the polycarbonate it has a 1H-NMR peak associated with the color bodies. The maximum allowable amount of color bodies are present when the integrated area of the 1H-NMR peak associated with the color bodies divided by the integrated areas of the 1H-NMR peaks associated with the repeat units derived from isosorbide is 0.025.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (p,p-bisphenol-A) from 2,4,4-trimethyl-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)chroman (chroman 1.5) is disclosed. Phenol and chroman 1.5 are contacted over an acidic ion exchange resin at a given temperature for a given period of time. The process results in improved quality of p,p-bisphenol-A, better performance of catalyst, improved raw material usage, and reduced waste.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of producing high molecular weight polymer. A method of forming polycarbonate includes the step of combining in a reaction mixture a diaryl carbonate, a transesterification catalyst, an aliphatic dihydroxy compound, and a diacid compound in a reactor system. The temperature and pressure of the reactor system are adjusted to a first reactor setpoints and the reaction mixture is monitored to detect initiation of the exothermic oligomerization reaction. The reactor setpoint are adjusted to second reactor setpoints after detection of initiation of the exothermic oligomerization reaction. The reactor system is maintained at the second reactor setpoints to allow the reaction mixture to react to form an oligomer mixture.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions having an improved balance of physical properties, particularly tensile modulus, impact strength, and flow properties, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a polycarbonate polymer, an impact modifier, a non-glass filler, and an alicyclic hydrocarbon resin. They may further comprise an acrylate polymer and an organic phosphate.

Abstract: A method of forming polycarbonate includes the steps of introducing a plurality of reaction components to a reactor operating under melt polymerization conditions and removing ester-substituted phenol from the reactor. The plurality of reaction components include a dihydroxy compound, an ester-substituted diaryl carbonate, and a melt transesterification catalyst. The reaction components are introduced in a plurality of reaction component streams. A first reaction component streams includes a melt transesterification catalyst dissolved or suspended in a liquid carrier containing an ester-substituted phenol. The composition of the first reaction component stream is selected such that ester-substituted phenol is not generated as a reaction product in the first reaction component stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic composition comprising: a poly(arylene ether); a poly(alkenyl aromatic) resin, an organophosphate ester flame retardant, and tricalcium phosphate. The composition may further comprise a reinforcing filler, black pigment, or combination thereof.

Abstract: A conductive thermoplastic composition capable of forming conductive fibers including monofilaments, methods of making these compositions, and fibers including these compositions. The conductive thermoplastic compositions may be formed using any method capable of forming the compositions into fibers. The fibers are substantially smooth and/or are capable of being woven into fabrics or other articles to provide conductive properties to the fabric or article. These fibers provide effective static charge dissipation that may be imparted into applications such conveying belts or protective clothing for clean room operation.

Abstract: A non-reactive monomer mixture contains a monomer component and a diaryl carbonate dispersed in the mixture. The monomer component includes one or more monomer compounds having a melting point below the melting point of the diaryl carbonate. The monomer component has less than 600 ppb alkali metal, an acid stabilizer, or both less than 600 ppb alkali metal and an acid stabilizer. The monomer compounds of the monomer component and the diaryl carbonate are present in a mole ratio of from 0.9 to 1.1. The monomer mixture is at a temperature between the melting temperature of the lowest melting monomer compound and less than 5° C. above the melting point of the diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic resin composition that includes a first phase polymeric material, at least one conductive filler and a second phase polymeric material where in the first phase polymer and second phase polymer are in co-continuous in nature and said conductive composition exhibits positive temperature coefficient behavior. The invention also relates to a method of making a co-continuous conductive composition that exhibits positive temperature coefficient behavior.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a phenolphthalein material and a primary hydrocarbyl amine in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a reaction mixture comprising 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine, wherein the phenolphthalein material comprises greater than or equal to 99 weight percent phenolphthalein, based on the total weight of the phenolphthalein material; quenching the reaction mixture and treating the quenched reaction mixture to obtain a first solid. The first solid is purified by a combination of techniques to produce a solid comprising 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine with sufficient purity to be used as a monomer in the synthesis of clear polymers.

Abstract: A method for purifying a 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine comprises contacting a crude 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine with a purification agent, removing a 2-aryl-3-(aminoaryl)-3-(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine compound from the crude 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine, and producing a purified 2-aryl-3,3-bis(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine product comprising less than 200 parts per million of the 2-aryl-3-(aminoaryl)-3-(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine compound. The purification agent is selected from the group consisting of an acidic material, an organic acid chloride, an organic anhydride, or a combination thereof. The 2-aryl-3-(aminoaryl)-3-(hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine compound has a formula: wherein each R1 is independently selected from a group consisting of a hydrocarbyl radical, a nitro radical, and a halogen atom; “a” is an integer from 0 to 4; and Ar1 and Ar2 are independently at each occurrence an aromatic radical.