Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing melt-processable polyesters efficiently via the direct polymerization of aromatic hydroxy acids. By the direct polymerization method, hydroxy and acid moieties are reacted directly without the use of acetylated reactants, thereby avoiding the disadvantages inherent in the case of acetylated reactants. The direct polymerization is conducted in the presence of a catalyst comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of the Group IV and V metals.

Abstract: A novel wholly aromatic polyester is provided which contains specified concentrations of recurring 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalene moiety, 2,6-dioxynaphthalene moiety, terephthaloyl moiety, and 1,4-dioxybenzene moiety. It has been found that such polyester is capable of exhibiting an anisotropic melt phase which is readily melt processable to form quality fibers, films, molded articles, etc. The absence in the polymer chain of moieties derived from hydroxy acids has been found to yield a highly linear more extended polymer chain along the polyester which contributes to the stiffness characteristics of shaped articles comprising the same.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-carbonate) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-carbonate) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (b) dioxyaryl moiety, (c) carbonyl moiety (i.e., carbonate moiety), and, optionally, (d) other aromatic moiety derived from aromatic hydroxyacid and (e) carbocyclic dicarboxyl moiety in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the dioxyaryl moiety is derived from hydroquinone, the carbonic acid moiety which is derived from a diarylcarbonate (e.g., diphenyl carbonate), and the additional aromatic moiety which is derived from an aromatic hydroxyacid is derived from hydroxybenzoic acid. The resulting poly(ester-carbonate) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-carbonate) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) p-oxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalene moiety, (c) aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, and, optionally, (d) p-dioxyphenyl moiety and (e) other carbocyclic dicarboxyl moiety, in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine. The carbocyclic dicarboxyl moiety is preferably aromatic. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A novel polyester is provided which has been found to exhibit an optically anisotropic melt phase which enables it readily to undergo melt processing to form quality molded articles possessing unusually high impact properties, etc. The polyester of the present invention contains recurring 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl, 4-oxybenzoyl, and 1,4-dicarboxycyclohexane moieties in addition to a moiety derived from an aromatic diol in the proportions indicated. The hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings optionally may be at least partially substituted (as described). The polyester is capable of forming the desired anisotropic melt at a temperature below approximately 350.degree. C., and in a particularly preferred embodiment at a temperature below approximately 320.degree. C.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (b) other aromatic moiety derived from aromatic hydroxyacid, (c) carbocyclic dicarboxyl moiety, (d) aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, and, optionally, (e) dioxyaryl moiety in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (b) aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, and, optionally, (c) other aromatic moiety derived from aromatic hydroxyacid, in the proportions indicated. The aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer is an amino derivative or a substituted amino derivative of an aromatic carboxylic acid. Preferably, the aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminobenzoic acid. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) dioxyanthraquinone moiety, (b) p-oxybenzoyl moiety, (c) dicarboxyl moiety, as defined, and (d) aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) p-oxybenzoyl moiety, (b) 2,6-dioxynaphthylene moiety, (c) carbocyclic dicarboxyl moiety, (d) aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, and optionally, (e) p-dioxyaryl moiety, in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is derived from p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A melt processable poly(ester-amide) which is capable of forming an anisotropic melt phase is provided. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention consists essentially of the recurring units (a) 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moiety, (b) aryl dicarboxyl moiety or trans-1,4-dicarboxycyclohexane moiety, (c) an aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage in the polymer, and (d) optionally, dioxyaryl moiety in the proportions indicated. Preferably, the aromatic moiety capable of forming an amide linkage is p-aminophenol or p-phenylenediamine. The resulting poly(ester-amide) exhibits a melting temperature below approximately 400.degree. C., preferably below approximately 350.degree. C. The poly(ester-amide) of the present invention is preferably formed by a melt polymerization technique.

Abstract: A novel thermotropic polyester is provided which has been found to exhibit an optically anisotropic melt phase at a temperature which enables it readily to undergo melt processing to form quality molded articles, fibers, etc., which exhibit substantial flexibility. For instance, molded articles can be prepared having an unusually high impact strength, toughness, and high extension in addition to other highly satisfactory mechanical properties. The polyester of the present invention contains recurring 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl and p-oxybenzoyl moieties in addition to terephthaloyl moieties and meta-dioxyphenylene moieties in the proportions indicated. Such meta-dioxyphenylene moieties are non-symmetrical in structure. The hydrogen atoms present upon the aromatic rings of these moieties optionally may be at least partially substituted (as described). The wholly aromatic polyester is capable of forming the desired optically anisotropic melt at a temperature below approximately 350.degree. C.

Abstract: A novel polyester is provided which has been found to exhibit an optically anisotropic melt phase which enables it readily to undergo melt processing to form quality fibers, films, molded articles, etc. The polyester of the present invention contains recurring 6-oxy-2-naphthoyl moieties in addition to moieties derived from at least one aromatic diol and trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid in the proportions indicated. The hydrogen atoms present upon the rings of these moieties optionally may be at least partially substituted (as described). The polyester is capable of forming the desired anisotropic melt at a temperature below approximately 350.degree. C., and in a particularly preferred embodiment at a temperature below approximately 320.degree. C.

Abstract: A wholly aromatic polyester capable of forming an anisotropic melt is prepared which is derived from 4-hydroxy-4'-carboxy azobenzene or its halogen, lower alkyl or lower alkoxy derivatives. Additional aryl moieties, such as those derived from aromatic hydroxy acids (e.g., p-hydroxybenzoic acid, 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid), or an aromatic diol (e.g., hydroquinone) in combination with an aromatic diacid (e.g., terephthalic acid), may be included with the moiety derived from 4-hydroxy-4'-carboxy azobenzene. The polyester is preferably prepared by the melt polymerization of the esterified (e.g., acetylated) monomer or monomers (as described). The polyester may be melt processed into fibers, films or other shaped articles which may include conventional filler materials and/or reinforcing agents.