Abstract: Ketocarboxylic acids such as levulinic acid can be efficiently purified in high yield by esterification with a hydrocarbon polyol to the corresponding polyketocarboxylic ester, which can be readily purified, for example recrystallized. After purification, the ketocarboxylic ester can be hydrolyzed to provide pure ketocarboxylic acid, or a salt thereof, after removal of the esterifying hydrocarbon polyol, or used for other synthetic transformations. Advantageously, the polyketocarboxylic esters, ketocarboxylic acids, and salts thereof produced by this method are obtained in high purity.

Abstract: An ionic polymer of formula VI wherein each b=0 or 1; X is hydrogen, 1/z of a metal ion of charge z, a protonated nitrogen base, or a tetrasubstituted organic ammonium compound; the molar ratio of q:r:s:t=(100-0.1):(0-99.9):(0-50):(0-30); R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; R4, R5, R6 and R7 are hydrogen, C1-4 alkyl or F, wherein F is a functional group that imparts a property to polymer VI, at least one and no more than two of R4, R5, R6 and R7 are F and F is the same or different; G is a single bond or a C1-30 hydrocarbyl group; and for each instance of t when t is not zero, c=0-5 and d=0-5, provided that c+d=1-5, and wherein q, r and s as present in c are independent of any other value of q, r and s.

Abstract: Various esterified alkyl ketal ester or hydroxyalkyl ketal ester products are useful as components of organic polymer compositions. The ketal esters are produced in certain transesterifications between alkyl ketal esters and/or hydroxyalkyl ketal esters and polyols, aminoalcohols, polyamines and/or polycarboxylic acids. The products are excellent plasticizers for a variety of organic polymers, notable poly(vinyl chloride) plastisols. The products are also very good lubricants for many lubrication applications.

Abstract: A method for producing a product that comprises glycerol ketal of ethyl levulinate or propylene glycol ketal of ethyl levulinate comprises reacting either glycerol or propylene glycol with ethyl levulinate in the presence of a homogenous or heterogeneous catalyst system in a reactor system. The ethyl levulinate and either glycerol or propylene glycol are heated to remove water, polyol, and excess ethyl levulinate. The excess ethyl levulinate and polyol is recycled back to the reactor. The product is distilled in a specific fashion and optionally treated by means of a stabilizing agent or acid species removal bed, to obtain a composition comprising glycerol ketal of ethyl levulinate or propylene glycol ketal of ethyl levulinate wherein the composition comprises less than or equal to about 2 wt % contaminants.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with extended content data on a first data stream and second content data on a second data stream. The device includes a processing portion, an acquisition portion and a buffer. The acquisition portion is in communication with the processing portion. The acquisition portion can acquire the first data stream, can transition to the second data stream to receive the second content data and can provide the second content data to the processing portion. The buffer can receive the extended content data. The processing portion can instruct the acquisition portion to transition from the first data stream to the second data stream to receive the second content data. The buffer can further provide the extended content data to the processing portion based on the acquisition portion transitioning from the first data stream to the second data stream. The processing portion can further process the extended content data portion as received from the buffer.

Abstract: A polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprising structural units of the formula: wherein each R1, R2, and R3 is independently the same or different monovalent C1-12 should this be C1-C13 like in the document? hydrocarbon group, G comprises a monovalent C6-1000 poly(oxyalkyl) group, each R4 and R5 taken together is independently the same or different divalent C3-30 hydrocarbon linking group wherein R4 is a C1-28 hydrocarbon and R5 is a C2-29 aliphatic group, a is 0 or greater, and b is one or greater; and structural units of the formula: wherein each R is independently the same or different C6-60 divalent hydrocarbon group, and at least 60% of the R groups comprise aromatic moieties.

Abstract: A multilayer article comprises a substrate layer, and a coating layer in contiguous superposed contact with the substrate layer, the coating layer comprising a thermostable, weatherable polymer comprising structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety, at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid moiety, at least one bisphenol moiety, and at least one soft-block moiety derived from a siloxane oligomer, in which the multilayer article comprises the substrate layer and the coating layer, or the substrate layer with coating layers on each side of the substrate layer.

Abstract: The reaction of alcohols with oxocarboxylates to form acetals or ketals is catalyzed by unexpectedly low levels of protic acids. By employing low acid catalyst levels compared to amounts conventionally used, rapid formation of acetal or ketal is facilitated while the formation of oxocarboxylate esters is minimized. Further employing a significant molar excess of oxocarboxylate in conjunction with low acid catalyst level gives rise to the rapid and clean formation of acetals and ketals from oxocarboxylates and alcohols.

Abstract: A polysiloxane copolymer composition comprises: a polysiloxane unit comprising 4 to 50 siloxane units, and a polyester-polycarbonate unit consisting of 50 to 100 mole percent of arylate ester units, less than 50 mole percent aromatic carbonate units, less than 30 mole percent resorcinol carbonate units, and less than 35 mole percent bisphenol carbonate units, wherein the siloxane units are present in the polysiloxane unit in an amount of 0.2 to 10 wt % of the total weight of the polysiloxane copolymer composition, and wherein the polysiloxane copolymer composition has a 2 minute integrated heat release rate of less than or equal to 65 kilowatt-minutes per square meter (kW-min/m2) and a peak heat release rate of less than 65 kilowatts per square meter (kW/m2) as measured using the method of FAR F25.4, in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulation FAR 25.853 (d). A window article for an aircraft, comprising the polysiloxane copolymer composition, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (1): wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic organic groups and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic groups; and wherein the polycarbonate comprises terminal groups derived from reaction with a cyanophenol of the formula wherein Y is a halogen, C1-3 alkyl group, C1-3 alkoxy group, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or nitro group, y is 0 to 4, and c is 1 to 5, provided that y+c is 1 to 5; optionally a branching agent; an impact modifier; and a flame retardant. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of a wide variety of parts, particularly those having a thin wall.

Abstract: Methods for making a branched polycarbonate are disclosed. An interfacial mixture comprising water, a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent, a dihydroxy compound, a polyhydric branching agent, an endcapping agent, a catalyst, and a base is formed. The base and the branching agent are dissolved in the mixture before the dihydroxy compound is added, and the interfacial mixture has a basic pH. The mixture is reacted by adding a carbonate precursor to the mixture while maintaining the pH between about 8 and about 10 to form the branched polycarbonate. The resulting branched polycarbonates may contain more than 1.5 mole % of the THPE; have residual chloride content of 20 ppm or less; and a weight average molecular weight of about 55,000 or less. They may also be highly transparent.

Abstract: Polycarbonate compositions having an aromatic polycarbonate resin with 90% or greater fluoroalkylene carbonate end-groups are formed from a partially fluorinated alcohol or a partially fluorinated polymeric alcohol, and a bisphenol and a carbonate source using melt or interfacial polymerization methods. Copolymers and blends with a variety of other bisphenols and other thermoplastics are also described. The polycarbonate compositions show high water contact angles, fluorine enrichment on the surface layer of molded articles, and good flame retardant properties and are useful in a variety of applications including medical, automotive, telecommunication and weatherable applications.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprises a polycarbonate having repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (1): wherein at least 60 percent of the total number of R1 groups contain aromatic organic groups and the balance thereof are aliphatic, alicyclic, or aromatic groups; and wherein the polycarbonate comprises terminal groups derived from reaction with a cyanophenol of the formula wherein Y is a halogen, C1-3 alkyl group, C1-3 alkoxy group, C7-12 arylalkyl, C7-12 alkylaryl, or nitro group, y is 0 to 4, and c is 1 to 5, provided that y+c is 1 to 5; a branching agent; and a flame retardant. The compositions are useful in the manufacture of a wide variety of parts, particularly those having a thin wall.

Abstract: Methods for making a branched polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer are provided. An interfacial mixture comprising water, an organic solvent, a polyhydric branching agent, a non-siloxane-containing dihydroxy compound, an endcapping agent, a phase transfer catalyst, and a base is formed. The base and the branching agent are dissolved in the mixture before the non-siloxane-containing dihydroxy compound is added and the interfacial mixture has a basic pH. A first carbonate precursor is added to the interfacial mixture while maintaining the pH at from about 3 to about 9 to form a branched polycarbonate mixture. Next, the pH is increased to from about 8 to about 13 and a siloxane oligomer is added to the branched polycarbonate mixture. The branched polycarbonate mixture is then reacted to form the branched polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer.

Abstract: Methods for making a branched polycarbonate are disclosed. An interfacial mixture comprising water, a substantially water-immiscible organic solvent, a dihydroxy compound, a polyhydric branching agent, an endcapping agent, a catalyst, and a base is formed. The base and the branching agent are dissolved in the mixture before the dihydroxy compound is added, and the interfacial mixture has a basic pH. The mixture is reacted by adding a carbonate precursor to the mixture while maintaining the pH between about 8 and about 10 to form the branched polycarbonate. The resulting branched polycarbonates may contain more than 1.5 mole % of the THPE; have residual chloride content of 20 ppm or less; and a weight average molecular weight of about 55,000 or less. They may also be highly transparent.

Abstract: A copolymer composition comprises a polysiloxane block of Formula XIX or XXII, having 4 to 50 siloxane units, and a polyarylate-polycarbonate block consisting essentially of 50 to 99 mol % arylate polyester units and 1 to 50 mol % aromatic carbonate units, wherein 1 to 30 mole percent of the aromatic carbonate units are resorcinol carbonates, and 0 to 35 mol % of the aromatic carbonate units are bisphenol carbonates; wherein the sum of mole percentages of arylate polyester units, and aromatic carbonate units is 100 mol %; the polysiloxane blocks connect to an arylate ester unit, and/or an aromatic carbonate unit; the siloxane units of the polysiloxane block are present at 0.2 to 10 wt % based on weight of the copolymer composition; and a molded article of 3.2±0.12 millimeters thickness and consisting of the copolymer composition has a percent transmittance greater than or equal to 70%, according to ASTM D1003-00.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is disclosed, comprising a polymer comprising: a polymer component comprising a polyestercarbonate copolymer comprising carbonate units and ester units having an aliphatic group, wherein the molar ratio of carbonate units to ester units in the polyestercarbonate copolymer is from 99:1 to 60:40; and 0.01 to 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the polymer component, of a polymeric stabilizing compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, wherein the polymeric stabilizing compound has a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 18,000 Daltons; and wherein the thermoplastic composition has greater than 70% molecular weight retention after exposure to steam at 115° C. for 7 days. Also disclosed are articles comprising the composition.

Abstract: A polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer comprising structural units of the formula: wherein each R1, R2, and R3 is independently the same or different monovalent C1-12 should this be C1-C13 like in the document! hydrocarbon group, G comprises a monovalent C6-1000 poly(oxyalkyl) group, each R4 and R5 taken together is independently the same or different divalent C3-30 hydrocarbon linking group wherein R4 is a C1-28 hydrocarbon and R5 is a C2-29 aliphatic group, a is 0 or greater, and b is one or greater; and structural units of the formula: wherein each R is independently the same or different C6-60 divalent hydrocarbon group, and at least 60% of the R groups comprise aromatic moieties.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition is disclosed, comprising: a polymer component comprising a polyestercarbonate copolymer comprising ester units and carbonate units; a polycarbonate copolymer comprising branched carbonate units and carbonate units; and 0.01 to 10 wt. %, based on the total weight of the polymer component, of a polymeric compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, wherein the polymeric compound has a weight average molecular weight of 1,500 to 18,000; wherein a test article having a thickness of 3.2 mm and molded from the thermoplastic composition retains more ductility after aging at 134° C. and 100% humidity for 48 hours than an article having a thickness of 3.2 mm and molded from the same thermoplastic composition without the polymeric compound comprising at least two epoxy groups, each measured in accordance with ASTM D3763-02.

Abstract: A polycarbonate copolymer comprising 40 to 89 mol % of units derived from a bisphenol of the formula wherein Ra? and Rb? are each independently C1-12 alkyl, T is a C5-16 cycloalkylene, a C5-16 cylcloalkyliden, a C1-5 alkylene, a C1-5 alkylidene, a C6-13 arylene, a C7-12 arylalkylene, C7-12 arylalkylidene, a C7-12 alkylarylene, or a C7-12 arylenealkyl, and r and s are each independently 1 to 4; 2 to 35 wt.