Abstract: The present invention provides unimolecular metal complexes having increased activity in the copolymerization of carbon dioxide and epoxides. Also provided are methods of using such metal complexes in the synthesis of polymers. According to one aspect, the present invention provides metal complexes comprising an activating species with co-catalytic activity tethered to a multidentate ligand that is coordinated to the active metal center of the complex.

Abstract: Provided is a terminally iodized polyfluoroalkane represented by the general formula: CnF2n+1(CHXCFY)s+p(CF2CF2)t+rI??[I] (in the formula, X and Y are each a hydrogen atom or a fluorine atom, wherein when Y is a fluorine atom, X is also a fluorine atom; n is an integer of 1 to 6; s+p is an integer of 1 to 5 and denotes the number of CHXCFY group; and t+r is 0 or an integer of 1 to 6 and denotes the number of tetrafluoroethylene skeleton). The terminally iodized polyfluoroalkane is produced by telomerizing a fluorine-containing olefin CHX?CFY and tetrafluoroethylene, successively, to CnF2n+1I in the presence of a peroxide initiator.

Abstract: Polyether polymers, such as polyetherimides, are prepared by the reaction of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon alkali metal salt, such as bisphenol A disodium salt, with a bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))aromatic compound, such as 1,3- and/or 1,4-bis(N-(4-chlorophthalimido))benzene, in a solvent such as o-dichlorobenzene and in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst such as a hexaalkylguanidinium chloride. Several embodiments may be employed to improve the method. They comprise employing substantially dry reagents, employing a high solids level in solvent, beginning with an excess of bis(N-(chlorophthalimido))-aromatic compound and incrementally adding alkali metal salt, employing alkali metal salt of small particle size, and using reagents of high purity.

Abstract: A process for preparing high molecular weight polymers or copolymers by Suzuki coupling. The catalyst used in the process comprises a source of palladium and a source of a phosphine characterized in that at least one substituent on the phosphine is an ortho substituted aryl group. The process is suitable for the preparation of polymers for use in electronic and optoelectronic applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sulfonated polyetherketonketone (sPEKK), which is amorphous and/or which can be obtained by sulfonating amorphous PEKK. This sPEKK can be preferably produced by using a diphenyl ether and a benzenedicarboxylic acid derivate. Particularly preferred is the use of benzenedicarboxylic acid dichloride. The benzenedicarboxylic acid derivative is advantageously provided in the form of a mixture consisting of at least two different benzenedicarboxylic acid derivatives, in particular, an isophthalic acid derivative and a terephthalic acid derivative.

Abstract: A film of the present invention includes, as its main component, an aliphatic polyester whose primary repeating unit is represented by a general formula —O—CHR—CO— (where R denotes H or an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1-3). A three-dimensional surface roughness SRa of at least one side of the film is about 0.01 &mgr;m to about 0.1 &mgr;m. PCC value denoting the number of projections on the film per a unit of area along a mean roughness plane and the three-dimensional surface roughness SRa satisfy the following relationship: PCC value≦7000-45000×SRa.

Abstract: Improved carbonate method for producing poly(biphenyl ether sulfones) having a low color, the improvement being the use of small particle size anhydrous potassium carbonate. The resulting poly(biphenyl ether sulfones) are significantly improved in color.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for producing a polymeric alkyl-aryl alcohol resin, and to resins produced by the process of the invention. In the process of the invention (which uses a Meerwein-Pondorff-Verley reduction), a mixture of a polymeric alkyl-aryl ketone resin and a metal alkoxide reducing agent is combined in a solvent. The mixture is refluxed to form a polymeric metal alkoxide intermediate and a ketone (which is removed from the mixture to allow the reaction to go to completion). The solvent reacts with the metal alkoxide intermediate to form a polymeric alkyl-aryl alcohol. Preferably, the metal alkoxide reducing agent is aluminum isopropoxide, and the solvent is isopropyl alcohol, the use of which may result in the regeneration of the aluminum isopropoxide when the polymeric alkyl-aryl alcohol is formed. The invention is also directed to a process for making a non-aqueous ink and to inks formed with the process of the invention.

Abstract: A process for synthesis of a polymeric polyalcohol substantially and preferably built up form polyester units and composed of a monomeric or polymeric initiator molecule to which at least one dentritic branch (dendron) consisting of a number of branching generations is added. The branching generations comprise a polymericor monomeric branching chain extender having three reactive functions of which two are hydroxyl groups. The two hydroxyl groups of the ranching chain extender is acetal protected by reaction between said two hydroxyl groups and an acetal-forming carbonyl compound, preferably an aldehyde. The acetal protected branching chain extender is then employed for addition to the initiator molecule of a first branching generation followed by an optional deprotection of the hydroxyl groups by decomposition of acetals and for addition in repeated steps of further branching generations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composite foam comprising from 10 to 90% by volume of SiO.sub.2 aerogel particles and from 90 to 10% by volume of a foam, preferably a polyurethane and/or polyolefin foam, a process for its preparation and its use.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing polyhydroxycarboxylic acids having a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 or above which are excellent as biodegradable plastics by subjecting Lactides to ring-opening polymerization in the presence of an inorganic solid acid catalyst carrying silica and/or a light metal.

Abstract: Compositions and methods intended to be administered enterally or parenterally for treating sepsis. The composition containing, in a biologically and nutritionally acceptable medium, at least free cysteine or cysteine in the form of a precursor, prodrug, protein or peptide hydrolysate, in a proportion of pharmacologically active cysteine greater than the proportion of cysteine present in a nutritional composition corresponding to the requirements of a healthy man, the proportion of cysteine being determined with respect to all the amino acids present in the composition.

Abstract: A coating powder consisting essentially of generally spherical particles ranging in size from less than 2 to about 40 microns, 75% of whose volume consists of particles of from about 2 to about 20 microns in size, is provided by dissolving the components of the coating powder in a supercritical fluid without the aid of a surfactant and spraying the solution into a zone whose pressure is less than that of the fluid. A very smooth continuous film of a cured thermosettable coating powder is achieved even when the film thickness is less than 1 mil, e.g., from about 0.2 and greater. The advantages of powder coatings may now be realized fully in the automobile and can industries.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions of miscible electrically conductive polyaniline and to conductive articles formed from such compositions. Specifically, the invention relates to polyaniline dioctylsulfosuccinate which is miscible with some common organic solvents. UV-Visible spectra of dilute solutions of this polymer show a linear dependence of absorbance on concentration. Solution with high concentrations of polymer, >50 w %, can be prepared and uniform films can be cast from these solutions without any loss in electrical conductivity. The solutions and films are stable.

Abstract: A method for preparing a light stable polyurethane, sprayable by means of a spray pistol, wherein use is made of an active hydrogen containing compound, wherein the functional groups consist for at least 50% of an active CH.sub.2 OH, NH and/or NH.sub.2 group, the functionality of which varies from 2 to 8 and the equivalent weight of which is comprised between 100 and 3500, together with 2 to 300 parts, per 100 parts of said compounds of a chain extender and/or a cross-linker, the functional groups of which are OH groups, at least 50% of which are primary OH groups, the equivalent weight of which is less than 100 and the functionality of which varies from 2 to 6, and with a catalytic system which comprises at least an organic lead, bismuth and/or tin (IV) compound and at least an amine initiator, having a functionality of 2 to 6, an equivalent weight lower than or equal to 200, and at least one aliphatic NH.sub.2 or NH group.

Abstract: Microporous material comprising water insoluble thermoplastic organic polymer and particulate amorphous precipitated silica not only exhibits low particulate emissions during handling and use, but also has a low extactable alkali metal content. Microporous material having these characteristics is especially useful in clean rooms where electronic devices such as integrated circuits are manufactured. Such microporous material may be produced by employing amorphous precipitated silica particles having low alkali metal content as all or a substantial proportion of the amorphous precipitated silica particles constituting the microporous material.

Abstract: Di-amines endowed with chain extension activity for formulations such as polyureas and polyurethanes are disclosed, and which have the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 0-1000 and m is 0-100; R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.5, and R.sub.6 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H, --CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 CH.sub.3, --CH.sub.2 OH, and --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OH; and R.sub.3 and P.sub.4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of --C.sub.2 H.sub.4 --; and --C.sub.3 H.sub.6 --; and the diasteromeric salts thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides novel blends and processes for producing such blends which include a polyamide, an olefinic acid copolymer or salt thereof, and a maleated ethylene/propylene rubber, wherein such novel blends may be processed by conventional extrusion and molding techniques, do not require a separate curing step or procedure in the overall production process, and which produces articles which have some physical characteristics similar to those exhibited by thermoplastic elastomers. The inventive compositions exhibit feature excellent resistance to zinc chloride solutions and are formable in a single melt blending step.

Abstract: Spherical resin particles in micron order with a narrow particle diameter distribution, methods for the production thereof and uses thereof are disclosed. Overcoming various problems comprised in the hitherto-known polymerization granulation methods, resin particles using a condensation polymer in micron order of the present invention having spherical form and narrow particle diameter distribution serve well for various applications.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid crystalline polyester, which comprises reacting compounds of the following formulas: ##STR1## and a dicarboxylic acid of the following formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is a bivalent aromatic hydrocarbon group having from 6 to 18 C atoms as starting material, for polycondensation in a molten state.