Abstract: A process for producing a branched polycarbonate comprising reacting a dihydric phenol, such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, a polyfunctional organic compound, such as 1,1,1-tris-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, and phosgene to produce a polycarbonate oligomer, and then polycondensing with stirring the polycarbonate oligomer with a dihydric phenol, such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane, and a monohydric phenol, such as p-tert butylphenol, whereby the interfacial area of the resultant emulsion is not less than 40 m.sup.2 /L.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the efficient recycling of carbon dioxide used in high pressure tall oil soap acidulation processes. The excess carbon dioxide used in the high pressure tall oil soap acidulation processes is recycled and contacted with an aqueous tall oil soap solution at a point before the high pressure contacting stage. Preferably, the recycled carbon dioxide is contacted in a first reactor, under pressure, to provide a preliminary tall oil mixture having an extent of acidification beyond the presence of a gel phase. Methods are provided for the monitoring of the acidulation reaction in the first reactor to maintain the extent of acidification beyond the gel phase region.

Abstract: A continuous polymerization method for laurolactam which has three stages. A prepolymerization process include steps of preliminarily heating laurolactam with 1 to 10% weight of water added, thereafter continuously feeding and passing the laurolactam from the upper part of the lower part of the longitudinal-type polymerization reaction zone, arranging a temperature decreasing gradient of 10.degree. C. or more than the upper part to the lower part directions at a polymerization temperature of 250.degree. and 300.degree. C. in the polymerization zone, and polymerizing the laurolactam under vapor pressure up to a conversion rate of 99.5% or more. A intermediate process has a step of releasing pressure from the prepolymerization product from the prepolymerization process for conversion into an intermediate product at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Ethylene, 2-methylene-1,3-dioxepane, and optionally carbon monoxide are reacted in the presence of free radical catalyst to form a biodegradable and optionally photodegradable polymer represented by the formulae: ##STR1## where x and y are integers or ##STR2## where x, y and z are integers.

Abstract: Bis[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenyl]alkanes, as illustrated by 2,2-bis[4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenyl]propane, may be prepared by the reaction of a bisphenol A ester or a similar compound with a p-trialkyltin-substituted anisole, followed by demethylation with a Lewis acid such as boron tribromide. Polycarbonates prepared therefrom are ductile and have high glass transition temperatures.

Abstract: Elongated object, made of an orientated alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide and an olefinically unsaturated monomer, which has a modulus of elasticity of at least 16 GPa, and a method for the production of objects from an alternating copolymer, orientated by stretching, of carbon monoxide and an olefinically unsaturated monomer, by dissolving the copolymer in a suitable solvent, converting the solution obtained, at a temperature above the dissolving point of the solution, to an object consisting of the solution, converting the object consisting of the solution to a solvent-containing object consisting of the copolymer, completely or partially removing the solvent from the solvent-containing object consisting of the copolymer and stretching at least the object thus obtained, or the solvent-containing object consisting of the copolymer, at elevated tempera-ture, it being possible for the stretching of tapes and films also to take place in two directions.

Abstract: 1,3-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-dialkylcyclohexanes, as illustrated by 1,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane, may be prepared by the reaction of phenol with a 1,5-dialkyl-1,4-cyclohexadiene under acidic conditions. Polycarbonates prepared therefrom have high glass transition temperatures and are expected to be ductile.

Abstract: Mixtures of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 are separated by solubility difference in aqueous aliphatic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A liquid crystalline polyester resin composition containing (A) a polyphenylene ether which is modified with at least one amine selected from the group consisting of primary amines and secondary amines; (B) a liquid crystalline polyester; and optionally (C) at least one oil selected from the group consisting of white oil and phenyl ether type oils, which composition has improved moldability and provides a molded article having improved weld strength while maintaining good heat resistance and mechanical properties of the liquid crystalline polyester.

Abstract: A process for producing a (co)polycarbonate or a (co)polyestercarbonate having a high molecular weight and excellent hue, heat stability and mechanical properties by reacting a dihydroxyl compound with a diester of carbonic acid and/or a diester of dicarbonic acid in the presence of a transesterification catalyst, wherein at least part of the reaction process is conducted in the presence of a specified organic phosphorus compound, or, in the presence of a specified organic phosphorus compound and a hindered phenol compound. A (co)polycarbonate or (co)polyester-carbonate composition having excellent hue, heat stability and mechanical properties, comprising a (co)polycarbonate and/or a (co)polyestercarbonate and, a specified organic phosphorus compound, or, a specified organic phosphorus compound and a hindered phenol compound.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing a polyaminopolymer which contains functionality comprising the steps of (a) contacting a polyfunctional amine with an unsaturated alkylating agent under reaction conditions to form an amine/unsaturated alkylating agent adduct; (b) contacting the adduct with a polyfunctional compound such that a polyaminopolymer is formed; (c) contacting the polyaminopolymer with a halogen, hypohalous acid or precursor thereof such that a polyaminopolymer having halohydrin or dihalo functionality is formed; and (d) raising the pH of the polyaminopolymer having halohydrin or vicinal dihalo functionality sufficiently to cause an increase in molecular weight. Alternatively, the invention is a process having steps (a), (b), (c) and optionally (d), but with a step (h) between steps (b) and (c) of contacting the polyaminopolymer with a crosslinking agent therefor having at least two functional groups reactive with amine groups such that a crosslinked polyaminopolymer is formed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for the production of polycarbonates by melt polycondensation of an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester or a diphenyl carbonate compound wherein said polycondensation is carried out in the presence of from 0.05 to 15 mol %, based on 1 mole of the aromatic dihydroxy compound, of a phenol having from 10 to 40 carbon atoms, a carbonic acid diester having from 17 to 50 carbon atoms or a carbonic acid diester having from 13 to 16 carbon atoms, using a catalyst comprising (a) a nitrogen containing basic compound, (b) from 10.sup.-8 to 10.sup.-3 mole, based on 1 mole of the aromatic dihydroxy compound, of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal compound, and (c) boric acid or boric ester. Also disclosed is a polycarbonate in which from 5 to 30% of its terminal groups are hydroxy groups and it has a sodium content of not more than 1 ppm and a chlorine content of not more than 20 ppm.

Abstract: This invention relates to cyclic diamides that are readily polymerized to form poly(terephthalamides). The resulting poly(terephthalamides) have high crystallinity, high temperature capabilities, dimensional stability, low moisture sensitivity, and solvent and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an aromatic carbonate or polycarbonate from a phenol or bisphenol, methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen comprising the steps of 1) reacting phenol or bisphenol with acetic anhydride to form (bis)phenyl acetate; 2) reacting dimethyl carbonate with (bis)phenyl acetate from step 1 to produce a phenyl carbonate or polycarbonate and methyl acetate; and 3) reacting the methyl acetate with carbon monoxide to produce acetic anhydride for use in step 1. In a desirable embodiment the dimethyl carbonate may also be prepared by reaction of methanol, carbon monoxide and oxygen.

Abstract: Polycarbonates are prepared from dihydric phenols, carbonate precursors, an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of phase transfer catalysts and trialkylamines, wherein the initial pH is maintained from 3 to 8 until 40 to 90 percent of the total amount of carbonate precursor is added, and the pH is then raised to 10-12 until the reaction is complete.

Abstract: Polyketone compositions can be prepared by polymerizing carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer using a catalyst system containing a palladium compound, an anion of a non-hydrohalogenic acid, and a phosphorus compound bidentate ligand, a bis(diphenylphosphino)oxaalkane compound which can have the formulae: ##STR1## where R is an alkylene bridging group.

Abstract: A linear alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide and propylene, which is substantially free of ester and ether linkages, is formed by the catalyzed reaction of carbon monoxide and propylene in a ketone solvent medium (e.g., acetone). Acid end groups can be introduced if a mixture of water and ketone is used.

Abstract: Polybenzoxazoles (PBO) are prepared by the aromatic nucleophilic displacement reaction of novel di(hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole monomers with activated aromatic dihalides or activated aromatic dinitro compounds. The polymerizations are carried out in polar aprotic solvents, such as N-methylpyrrolidine or N,N-dimethylacetamide, using alkali metal bases, such as potassium carbonate, at elevated temperatures under nitrogen. The novel di(hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole monomers are synthesized by reacting phenyl-4-hydroxybenzoate with aromatic bis(o-aminophenol)s in the melt. High molecular weight PBO of new chemical structures are prepared that exhibit a favorable combination of physical and mechanical properties. The use of the novel di(hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazoles permits a more economical and easier way to prepare PBO than previous routes.

Abstract: Polymers of aromatic diacids and 2-methylpentamethylenediamine are prepared in the presence of formic acid. The formic acid reduces the tendency of the 2-methylpentamethylenediamine to cyclize.

Abstract: Aromatic copolyamides are described which are soluble in organic polyamide solvents and which essentially consist of the recurring structural units of the formulae Ia, Ib and Ic ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are divalent aromatic radicals, the valency bonds of which are in the para position or in a comparable coaxial or parallel position relative to one another, R.sup.2 is a radical of the formula III ##STR2## and R.sup.3 is a radical of the formula IV ##STR3## The mole fractions of the individual structural features in the copolyamides are fixed within selected limits. Fibers composed of the copolyamides claimed are distinguished by a high stretchability.