Abstract: Use of a glyceryl tri(.alpha.-hydroxyacylate) in a cosmetic and/or dermatological composition as the sole precursor of glycerol and of hydroxy acid, which is capable of releasing the glycerol and the hydroxy acid onto the skin via an enzymatic reaction, in order to moisturize and soften the skin. Useful especially for moisturizing and/or treating dry skin.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of hydrogenated abietic acid as a chain terminator for the production of polycarbonates and polyester carbonates and to the polycarbonates and polyester carbonates obtainable in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: Novel poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates), such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), and blends of these with other polymers are disclosed. A novel process for producing these poly(3-hydroxyalkanoates) is also disclosed which entails polymerizing one or more .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone(s) under polymerization conditions in the substantial absence of water in the presence of an anionic initiator.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: A polycarbonate is produced by transesterification from a dihydroxy compound such as 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and a diester of carbonic acid such as bisphenyl carbonate in a reactor made of stainless steel and treated by electropolishing or acid pickling or buffed on a surface part thereof which contacts the reactants. As the transesterification catalyst, (a) a nitrogen-containing, electron-donating compound and (b) a nitrogen-containing, electron-donating compound and an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound are preferably used.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of polycarbonates containing carbonate structural units of the formula (I), ##STR1## for the production of optical articles, novel polycarbonates, which contain the structural units (I), together with a process for the production of these novel polycarbonates.

Abstract: Encapsulated particles, such as magnetic particles, colored pigments, or carbon black, with high chemical affinity for ink vehicles. The encapsulated particles of this invention are suitable for printing inks, as well as for magnetic recording systems, such as audio and video tapes and magnetic storage disks, when the encapsulated particles are magnetic particles. The encapsulated particles comprise particles having a coating on their surface, said coating comprising in one embodiment an ionomer and in another embodiment, an oil, such as soya oil, and optionally a thixotropic agent, and/or a binder resin. The method of the present invention for making such encapsulated particles avoids the use of volatile organic solvents and provides printing inks and coating compositions comprising such encapsulated particles, that also avoid the use of volatile organic solvents.

Abstract: A copolymeric polycarbonate containing repeating constituent units having formula [I] below and repeating constituent units having formula [II] below in a molar ratio of from 98:2 to 40:60. ##STR1## The above-described copolymeric polycarbonates have excellent resistance to chemicals, heat resistance and flame retardancy without compromising the impact resistance and good hues intrinsic to polycarbonates.

Abstract: This invention relates to liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs) derived from (I) hydroquinone and/or 4,4'-biphenol and/or bis(4-hydroxylphenyl) ether, (II) terephthalic acid, (lII) 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid and/or 4,4'-bibenzoic acid, (IV) 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, (V) 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, and optionally (VI) an aliphatic diol in specified ratios. In addition to forming exceptionally tough films, the LCPs are useful as molding resins or for blending with other thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: The efficiency of a redistribution catalyst during polycarbonate redistribution is improved by employing an extruder screw design that provides a melt seal between the extruder throat and the vacuum port. A melt seal exists when the free volume within the extruder is sufficiently filled with molten resin so as to prevent the passage of gases between sections of the extruder.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for use in the preparation of poly(butylene terephthalate) from dimethyl terephthalate, comprising: (a) a titanium compound primary catalyst, from about 0.0005 PHR to about 5 PHR; (b) a first co-catalyst containing at least one of Zn, Co, Mn, Mg, Ca, or Pb series compounds, between about 0.0001 PHR and 5 PHR; and (c) a second co-catalyst containing an alkali metal phosphate, an alkali metal phosphite, an alkali hypophosphite, or an alkali metal polyphosphate between about 0.0001 PHR and 5 PHR; wherein PHR represents parts of the primary catalyst or the co-catalyst per one hundred parts, by weight, of dimethyl terephthalate. Preferred titanium compounds include tetrabutyl titanate or tetra(isopropyl)titanate. Preferred metal compounds for use as first co-catalyst are metal acetates. The alkali metal phosphate can be a phosphate salt containing one, two, or three metal groups; and the alkali metal phosphite can be a phosphite salt containing one or two metal groups.

Abstract: A composition comprising a copolyestercarbonate derived from a dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor, and an aliphatic alpha omega dicarboxylic acid or ester precursor wherein the dicarboxylic acid or ester precursor has from 10 to about 20 carbon atoms, inclusive, and is present in the copolyestercarbonate in quantities of from about 2 to 30 mole percent of the dihydric phenol.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. A poly(ester-amide) of the present invention may have recurring units of: (a) 4-hydroxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (c) 4,4'-biphenol moiety, (d) terephthaloyl moiety, and (e) an aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol, p-phenylenediamine, N-acetyl-p-aminophenol, etc. The resulting poly(ester-amide) is capable of undergoing melt-processing in the temperature range of from about 300.degree. to about 400.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization method for preparing non-halogenated aromatic polyesters by a standard interfacial polymerization except the addition of a phase-transfer catalyst to the organic phase. More specifically, the present invention offers a method for substantially reducing the polymerization time and improving the reaction yield, by introducing a specific phase transfer catalyst, tetrabutyl ammonium bromide, to the organic phase.

Abstract: A modified polyphenylene ether comprising repeating units of the formula (1): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are, independently from each other, a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and having a number average polymerization degree of 20 to 12,000, in which 0.02/X to 1/X of methyl groups at the 2- and/or 6-positions of phenylene group are substituted by an aminomethyl group wherein X is a number average polymerization degree, a process for preparing the same, and a thermoplastic resin composition containing (A) 1 to 75% by weight of the above modified polyphenylene ether and (B) 99 to 25% by weight of a liquid crystalline polyester.Since this modified polyphenylene ether includes a highly reactive primary amine on the polymer side chain, it is preferably used in a wide range as a component of various compositions or polymer alloys. The thermoplastic resin composition is excellent in heat resistance, mechanical properties and appearance and gloss of a molded article.

Abstract: A molded closure for a liquid container comprising a thermoplastic elastomer and a blowing agent. The molded closure is particularly suitable for use as a synthetic wine cork in a wine bottle. The molded closure does not permit passage of oxygen into the container, does not absorb oxygen from the contents of the container, can be removed from the container using a corkscrew without significant expansion, crumbling or disintegration, does not significantly taint a liquid in the container, permits the container to be placed horizontally immediately after insertion of the molded closure, and can permanently retain printed matter on its surface.

Abstract: Thermotropic melt processable liquid crystalline aromatic polyesters comprising units derived from a dicarboxylic acid and from a mixture of aromatic diols in which from 50% to 80% is (1-phenylethyl)hydroquinone and from 20% to 50% is hydroquinone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer composition of a block copolymer dispersed in water wherein the block copolymer is composed of: a) at least one first block of polymerized units of at least one first ethylenically unsaturated monomer and at least one latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agent wherein the latent thiol mercaptan chain transfer agent has the general formula; ##STR1## wherein A is a polyvalent organic radical; x and y are positive integers such that x+y equals the valence of A; B is an organic acyl radical; and n and m are integers from 1 to 6; and b) at least one second block of polymerized units of at feast one second ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein said at least one second block is attached to said at least one first block by reacting with terminal thiol functional groups contained on said at least one first block.

Abstract: Substantially amorphous, high molecular weight polyaniline which is processable into shaped articles such as fibers is disclosed. Polyaniline base made by standard procedures is subjected to extraction to remove impurities and lower molecular weight fractions. The resulting high molecular weight base, which is partially crystalline and insoluble in NMP and concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, is converted to an amorphous material soluble in NMP and concentrated H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, by a two step process involving conversion to a salt, and reconversion to a base. Fibers prepared from the high molecular weight material exhibit conductivities in the range of about 50 to 100 S/cm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing copolymeric polycarbonates which comprises melt polycondensing a mixture of an aromatic dihydroxy compound containing an amount of 2-90 mol % of hydroquinone or substituted hydroquinones and a diester carbonate in the presence of a catalyst containing an alkali metal compound or an alkaline earth metal compound in an amount of 1.times.10.sup.-8 to 5.times.10.sup.-6 mole per mole of the total amount of the aromatic dihydroxy compound, then adding an acidic compound to the melt polycondensation product.