Abstract: Polymers are obtained by polymerizing in the presence of a Bronsted acid or a Lewis acid catalyst, a monomer comprising a 1,3-diisoalkenylarene, a 1,4-diisoalkenylarene, or mixtures thereof. The polymer comprises at least one of repeat units (A), (B), (C), and (D); wherein R1 is H or a C1-C8 alkyl group. The polymers have high Tg and exhibit good solubility in non-polar solvents, forming substantially gel-free solutions. The polymers are useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials are valuable for further downstream uses, such as copper clad laminates.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a curable polymer composition comprising (i) a copolymer of a diisoalkenylarene (DIAEA) and a divinylarene (DVA), and (ii) at least one anti-scorching agent. The copolymer has a solubility in a hydrocarbon solvent at 25° C. for a period of less than 4 hours of at least 10 wt. %, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 50 to 300° C., and a Gel Content of less than 5 wt. %. The curable polymer composition is cured at a temperature of greater than 140° C. to obtain a cured polymer composition having a Gel Content in a hydrocarbon solvent of >90%, and low Dk and Df values. The curable polymer composition does not cross-link or has minimal premature cross-linking in steps such as processing, storage, etc., and can be used in copper clad lamination applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of ?100° C. to 120° C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers formed by cationic polymerization of one or more cyclic dienes and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of a monoterpene, a branched styrene, and combinations thereof, in the presence of a catalyst. Random copolymers having repeat units derived from a cyclic conjugated diene, such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene, and a comonomer such as a monoterpene, can be prepared as soluble products in hydrocarbon solvents. The copolymers can be crosslinked with various crosslinking agents to form materials having good oxidative stability and fire retardancy. The uncrosslinked and crosslinked copolymers have useful properties such as a low dissipation factor, low dielectric constants, and a good balance of thermomechanical and electrical properties that make them valuable in electronic applications.

Abstract: An associative rheology modifier is obtained by coupling of a rheology modifier precursor with a coupling agent. The rheology modifier precursor is formed by reacting a rosin acid with a polyether at a mole ratio of the rosin acid to the polyether of >2:1, at a temperature from 180-350° C. and in the presence of an acid catalyst. The polyether has a molecular weight of 500-10,000 g/mol and the rheology modifier precursor has a water solubility of >10 wt. % concentration. The associative rheology modifier has a molecular weight (Mw) from 1500-25,000 g/mol. The associative rheology modifier shows a high shear thinning effect at low shear rate. A composition is also provided comprising the associative rheology modifier.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to polymers obtained by polymerizing in the presence of a Bronsted acid or a Lewis acid catalyst, a monomer comprising a 1,3-diisoalkenylarene, a 1,4-diisoalkenylarene, or mixtures thereof. The polymer comprises at least one of repeat units (A), (B), (C), and (D); wherein R1 is H or a C1-C8 alkyl group. The polymers have high Tg and exhibit good solubility in non-polar solvents, forming substantially gel-free solutions. The polymers are useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials are valuable for further downstream uses, such as copper clad laminates.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing a rosin ester composition is disclosed. The process employs an adsorptive bed containing an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The deodorized rosin ester composition has an odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on odor intensity scale of Offensive Odor Control Act as compared to the rosin ester feedstock. In embodiment, the deodorizing treatment comprises using multi-staged adsorbent system with an adsorbent column having multiple layers of different adsorbent materials.

Abstract: A process for deodorizing a rosin ester composition is disclosed. The process employs an adsorptive bed containing an adsorbent material. The adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 mm2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The deodorized rosin ester composition has an odor intensity reduction of at least 1 unit on odor intensity scale of Offensive Odor Control Act as compared to the rosin ester feedstock. In embodiment, the deodorizing treatment comprises using multi-staged adsorbent system with an adsorbent column having multiple layers of different adsorbent materials.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are copolymers formed by cationic polymerfization of one or more cyclic dienes and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of a monoterpene, a branched styrene, and combinations thereof, in the presence of a catalyst. Random copolymers having repeat units derived from a cyclic conjugated diene, such as 1,3-cyclohexadiene, and a comonomer such as a monoterpene, can be prepared as soluble products in hydrocarbon solvents. The copolymers can be crosslinked with various crosslinking agents to form materials having good oxidative stability and fire retardancy. The uncrosslinked and crosslinked copolymers have useful properties such as a low dissipation factor, low dielectric constants, and a good balance of thermomechanical and electrical properties that make them valuable in electronic applications.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of ?100° C. to 120° C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

Abstract: A process for reducing or removing at least 90% of sulfur in a tall oil composition, e.g., to a level of 15 ppm or less is disclosed. The process employs at least a first desulfurization and a second desulfurization treatment in parallel or in series. The first treatment comprises adsorptive desulfurization, wherein the adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The second desulfurization treatment is selected from adsorptive treatment, heat treatment, distillation, extraction, oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, and sulfur scavenging for a reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: A process for reducing or removing at least 90% of sulfur in a tall oil composition, e.g., to a level of 15 ppm or less is disclosed. The process employs at least a first desulfurization and a second desulfurization treatment in parallel or in series. The first treatment comprises adsorptive desulfurization, wherein the adsorbent material comprises silica adsorbent having an average pore size between 50-200 ?, BET surface area of at least 300 mm2/, pore volume of 1.20 to 3.00 cc/g, and a silanol [Si—OH] level of 0.5 to 5 unit/nm2. The second desulfurization treatment is selected from adsorptive treatment, heat treatment, distillation, extraction, oxidation, reduction, hydrogenation, and sulfur scavenging for a reduced sulfur content.

Abstract: This invention provides reagents and methods for delivering insulin, insulinomimetic agents, and the like to a vertebrate eye via subconjunctival routes, sub-Tenon's routes, or intravitreal routes for treatment of nerve-related vision disorders such as diabetic retinopathy, and formulations useful in the practice of the disclosed methods.