Patents Assigned to STEPAN
  • Publication number: 20140155531
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: STEPAN
    Inventors: Rick TABOR, Brian K. MIROUS, Timothy L. Lambert, Michael E. O'BRIEN, Matthew I. LEVINSON, Daniel J. DERSHOWITZ