Abstract: A process for the production of phosphonium phenolates is disclosed. The process entails reacting a phosphonium halide and phenol in an aqueous alkaline solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of impact resistant, stress cracking resistant copolycarbonates with particularly good low temperature properties for applications in which particularly good low temperature properties are required, e.g., for automobile construction or external applications, and new copolycarbonates themselves.

Abstract: The present invention provides the use of impact resistant, stress cracking resistant copolycarbonates with particularly good low temperature properties for applications in which particularly good low temperature properties are required, e.g., for automobile construction or external applications, and new copolycarbonates themselves.

Abstract: A highly branched polycondensate is described. The polycondensate is prepared by polycondensating (a) monomers capable of polycondensation in the presence of (b) branching agents, wherein the branching agents are selected from polymers, oligomers consisting of 2 to 100 monomer units and dendritic polymers. The branching agents contain residues of monomers represented by the general formulas, A—R—Bx or Ax—R—B wherein A represents a —C(O)X group, X being hydroxyl, halogen, alkoxy or aralkoxy, each having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, B represents one of (i) an —OY group, Y being hydrogen, trialkyl silyl, alkyl or acyl, each having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and (ii) an amino group, an ammonium halide or an alkyl carbamate having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R is an organic aromatic, aliphatic-aromatic or aliphatic radical containing 1 to 25 carbon atoms, and x≧2. Also described are molded articles prepared from the highly branched polycondensate of the present invention.

Abstract: A process for preparing phosphonium phenolate is disclosed. The process entails a reaction of phosphonium halide with phenol in an aqueous alkaline solution at a temperature of 0 to 55° C. The molar ratio of phenol to phosphonium halide is between 2:1 to 10:1 and the pH of the solution is 9.5 to 11. An optional embodiment entails carrying out the reaction in the further presence of alcohol.

Abstract: A process of producing branched polycarbonates by melt transesterification from at least one diphenol, diaryl carbonate and a branching agent, and in the optional presence of a catalyst is disclosed. The process which is carried out at temperatures between 80 to 400° C. and at pressures between 1 and 0.01 mbar, entails using as branching agent at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) a specifically structured aliphatic alcohol and (ii) the ether of (i) which is formed by self-condensation.

Abstract: A catalyst formulation that is liquid at room temperature and that comprise tetraphenylphosphonium phenolate and phenol is disclosed. The catalyst formulation is suitable as a transesterification catalyst and most especially in the preparation of thermoplastic solvent-free polycarbonates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transesterification method for producing solvent-free polycarbonate, using N-alkyl-substituted piperidines or N-alkyl-substituted morpholines comprising C2-C12 N-alkyl substituents, preferably C2-C8 N-alkyl substituents, most preferably C2-C5 N-alkyl substituents, as catalysts.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate having glass transition temperature not higher than 160° C. and a rheooptic constant not higher than 4 is disclosed. Containing structural units conforming to wherein the radicals R1 each independently denotes a C1-12-alkyl radical or a halogen atom and n is 0 to 3, the copolycarbonate is suitable for the preparation of lenses and optical mass storage means.