Abstract: This invention relates to a process for producing polyester biopolymers by culturing Pseudomonas oleovorans bacteria on substrates comprising certain nutrients. The nature of the polyesters can be varied by varying the nature of the carbon source used. In this way polyesters with unsaturated double bonds can be produced, too. From the polyesters, optically active carboxylic acids or esters are produced. The polymers can be used for making articles of manufacture, such as sutures, films, skin and bone grafts.

Abstract: A process for preparing phenol-formaldehyde novolak resins and molding compositions in which portions of the phenol normally contained in said resins are replaced by a phenol/neutral fractions extract obtained from fractionating fast-pyrolysis oils. The fractionation consists of a neutralization stage which can be carried out with aqueous solutions of bases or appropriate bases in the dry state, followed by solvent extraction with an organic solvent having at least a moderate solubility parameter and good hydrogen bonding capacity.Phenolic compounds-containing/neutral fractions extracts obtained by fractionating fast-pyrolysis oils from a lignocellulosic material, is such that the oil is initially in the pH range of 2-4, being neutralized with an aqueous bicarbonate base, and extracted into a solvent having a solubility parameter of approximately 8.4-9.11 [cal/cm.sup.3 ].sup.1/2 with polar components in the 1.8-3.0 range and hydrogen bonding components in the 2-4.

Abstract: The invention describes a film of a thermoplastic, wholly aromatic polyetherketone. The film is amorphous and comprises the polymer PEEKK which is formed of the following repeat unit:--[--Ph--O--Ph--O--Ph--CO--Ph--CO--]--wherein Ph denotes a para-phenylene group.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing lactide and up to 20 mole percent of another lactone is disclosed. The cayalysts used have the formula MZ.sub.3 wherein M is scandium, yttrium, bismuth, a lanthanide series rare earth metal or a mixture thereof and the Zs are independantly the same or different highly coordinating ligands. The preferred metals M are lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium with lanthanum being especially preferred. The preferred ligands are betadiketones, betaketoesters and malonate anions with the beta diketones such as 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionates being especially preferred.

Abstract: Polyethercyclicpolyols are prepared by thermally condensing a polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups of which at least two of the hydroxyl groups are vicinal, precursors of the polyol, cyclic derivatives of the polyol, or mixtures thereof, and controlling process conditions to avoid substantial undesirable degeneration. Lower molecular weight polyethercyclicpolyols are polycondensed with epoxy alcohols to form higher molecular weight polyethercyclicpolyols.

Abstract: A polyarylamine polymer represented by the following formula: ##STR1## wherein: n is between about 5 and about 5,000p is between about 5 and about 5,000X' and X" are independently selected from a group having bifunctional linkages, andQ is a divalent group derived from certain hydroxy terminated arylamine reactants.

Abstract: Polymers of the general formula R--(A-B-A-I)-.sub.x A-B-A-R and their preparation are disclosed. In the general formula, -A- is a polyhydroxy acid residue preferably a polymer of either 98 to 100% L-lactide or 98 to 100% D-lactide having a molecular weight of 500 to 40,000 and preferably 2,000 to 20,000, -B- is an oligomeric diol or diamine residue, having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 20,000 and preferably 2,000 to 8,000. The polymers are prepared by polymerizing a lactone onto the diol or diamine followed by reacting the resulting polymeric H-A-B-A-H with an diisocyanate or diacyl chloride to form the -L- chain extending units in the general formula.

Abstract: Polymer compositions are provided which are capable of being formed into shaped articles and comprise a poly(2-methylpentamethylene terephthalamide), also known as nylon M5T, and a minor amount of an ionomer, e.g., a partially neutralized copolymer of an alpha-olefin and an alpha, beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. In particular, the compositions may be melt spun and drawn into filaments having good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Mixtures of salts of organic dicarboxylic acids and organic compounds of non-salt character, dissolved in a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol, can be concentrated or separated with a semipermeable membrane made from a copolyimide which contains a first aromatic diamine radical (1) and a second aromatic diamine radical (2) which carries --SO.sub.3 M groups, wherein M is H.sym., a mono-to trivalent metal cation or an ammonium cation. The first amine radical (1) and/or the second diamine radical (2) contains C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups in both o-positions to at least one amino group. These copolyamides are also radiation-sensitive (self-crosslinking) and can be used for the production of protective layers or relief images, development being carried out in an aqueous alkaline medium.

Abstract: Polyethercyclicpolyols are prepared by thermally condensing a polyol having at least three hydroxyl groups of which at least two of the hydroxyl groups are vicinal, precursors of the polyol, cyclic derivatives of the polyol, or mixtures thereof, and controlling process conditions to avoid substantial undesirable degeneration. Lower molecular weight polyethercyclicpolyols are polycondensed with epihalohydrins to form higher molecular weight polyethercyclicpolyols.

Abstract: The imidization temperature of poly(amide-acid) compositions derived from tetracarboxylic acid dianhydrides can be lowered by use of a bis(aminophenoxyphenyl) phosphine oxide in the diamine component which is reacted with the dianhydride. These homo- or copolyimides can be cyclized without use of catalysts or excessive temperature which can product undesired side reactions. Tough film forming materials can be produced which show excellent thermo-oxidative stability and high char yields even at 800.degree. C. in air.

Abstract: A prepolymer of the formula ##STR1## where LG is a linking group, and copolymers thereof; polymers prepared therefrom, and a reaction injection molding process employing the same.

Abstract: The arylene sulfide ketone copolymers according to the present invention have mainly recurring units which are represented by formulas (I) and (II), ##STR1## The arylene sulfide ketone copolymers have a high glass transition point and excellent moldability and can be produced with industrial advantage.

Abstract: A three-step process for the production of solventless polycarbonate is disclosed. Accordingly, a mixture of two different oligocarbonates each prepared by the interfacial method, is prepared in the first process step. In a second step, the mixture is crystallized. The third step entails polycondensation. In an additional embodiment of the invention the first step uses a mixture of one oligocarbonate with a suitable monomer.

Abstract: Polymer alloys based on polybenzimidazoles are of great interest in industry due to their extraordinary thermal and mechanical properties. Alloys composed of a homo- or copolybenzimidazole and poly-N-vinylpyrrolidone are homogeneously mixed and have only one glass transition temperature.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers having high glass transition temperature and which are soluble in organic solvents are produced from highly hindered biphenols, in particular polyetherketones, polyethersulfones, polyesters and polyetherimides, as well as copolymers based on these polymers may be produced for a variety of applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an aromatic diamine having the general formula ##STR1## where A is a group containing at least one aromatic ring, each Y is independently selected from ##STR2## R is a group containing at least one olefinically unsaturated group, R' is hydrogen, alkyl to C.sub.25, aryl, or R, n is 1 to 4, and the number of olefinic groups in Y is at least 3 when each Y is ##STR3## and otherwise is at least 2. Photosensitive polyamic acids and polyimides can be prepared from the aromatic diamines which can be crosslinked with light to a mask to form patterns on a substrate.

Abstract: Novel polymeric polyalkyl-1-oxa-diazaspirodecanes of the formula I ##STR1## are very effective stabilizers for natural any synthetic polymers. They have very low volatility, high migration resistance and high thermal stability.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-viscosity two-component filled polyurethane adhesive comprising an organic polyisocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive curative component. The curative component comprises a blend of relatively high equivalent weight isocyanate-reactive component and a relatively low equivalent weight chain extender or crosslinker, as well as certain diamines or triamines to impart sag resistance.

Abstract: A flexible or semi-flexible polyurethane foam composition prepared from a formulation comprising a catalytic amount of an additive containing (1) a urea compound, and (2) a transition metal salt of a carboxylic acid wherein the metal is selected from Groups I-B, II-B, V-A, IV-B, V-B, VI-B, VII-B or VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements; the additive containing a sufficient quantity of at least one amine group-containing material such that the transition metal salt is soluble in the additive; and water as a blowing agent. In preferred embodiments water is the sole blowing agent. The polyurethanes exhibit relatively short demolding times and improved mold release properties. They also show a reduced tendency to cause discoloration or staining of vinyl-based polymeric calddings such as polyvinyl chloride.