Abstract: A phenolic allyl ether is provided which can be prepared by reacting a polyphenol with an allyl halide, said polyphenol described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is an aromatic moiety, L is a divalent cyclohexanenorbomane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, Allyl is a phenolic allyl ether group, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such phenolic allyl ethers include the reaction product of allyl halide with the product of the addition reaction of a phenol and a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyelohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting phenolic allyl ether resins are useful as processing agents for polymaleimides.

Abstract: A process is described for purifying a carbonyl-containing 1,3-propanediol composition, the process comprising:(a) forming a solution of said 1,3-propanediol composition in an acidic aqueous medium;(b) adding a sufficient amount of a base to the aqueous medium to form a basic solution having a pH greater than 7;(c) heating the basic solution under conditions effective to distill a major portion of the water therefrom; and(d) heating the remaining basic solution under conditions effective to distill a major portion of the PDO therefrom, to provide a 1,3-propanediol composition having a lower carbonyl content than the starting carbonyl-containing 1,3-propanediol composition.The process of the invention provides a purified 1,3-propanediol which can be used as a starting material for a low-color polyester.

Abstract: A phenolic allyl ether is provided which can be prepared by reacting a polyphenol with an allyl halide, said polyphenol described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is an aromatic moiety, L is a divalent cyclohexanenorbornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, Allyl is a phenolic allyl ether group, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such phenolic allyl ethers include the reaction product of allyl halide with the product of the addition reaction of a phenol and a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting phenolic allyl ether resins are useful as processing agents for polymaleimides.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 1,3-propanediol-based polyester comprises contacting an aqueous stream containing acrolein byproduct with a base for a time effective to reduce the acrolein content of the aqueous stream. In a specific embodiment, a poly(propylene terephthalate) preparation process comprises the steps of:(a) contacting 1,3-propanediol and terephthalic acid at elevated temperature to produce a reaction product mixture comprising a poly(propylene terephthalate) and an aqueous solution comprising acrolein;(b) removing a major portion of the aqueous solution from said reaction product mixture;(c) adding a sufficient quantity of a base to the aqueous solution to form a basic solution having a pH greater than about 7.5 and maintaining the basic solution for a time effective to lower the acrolein content thereof;(d) optionally, diluting the basic solution with water; and(e) optionally, biotreating the dilute basic solution for a time effective to further lower the acrolein content.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst system contains a transition metal hydrotrispyrazolylborate complex having the formula:Tp--M--L.sub.3wherein Tp is a hydrotrispyrazolylborate ligand, M is tungsten or molybdenum, and L is independently a ligand selected from the group consisting of oxo, phenoxy, alkoxy, and halides, provided that at least one L is a halide, and a co-catalyst.

Abstract: A phenolic compound is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is a C.sub.6-20 aromatic moiety, L is a cyclohexanenorbornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such phenols include the product of the addition reaction of phenol with a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1 ]hept-2-ene.

Abstract: An olefin metathesis catalyst system and process for the metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst system comprises the reaction product of:(a) an imido transition metal halide complex of formula: ##STR1## wherein Ar is C.sub.6-20 aryl, preferably phenyl; M is a transition metal selected from the second and third rows of Groups 5, 6, 7 and 8 of the Periodic Table (IUPAC 1989 convention) and including for example niobium, tantalum, molybdenum, tungsten, rhenium, ruthenium or osmium, preferably tungsten or molybdenum; R is independently halide, C.sub.1-20 alkyl, C.sub.1-12 alkoxy, C.sub.1-12 haloalkyl, C.sub.6-20 aryl, C.sub.6-20 aryloxy, cyano or combinations thereof; L is independently a complexing ligand selected from carbonyl, C.sub.1-12 alkoxy, C.sub.1-12 haloalkoxy, C.sub.1-12 alkyl ethers, including mono-, di- and higher ethers, C.sub.12 alkylnitriles, C.sub.5-20 pyridines, C.sub.

Abstract: A phenolic compound is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is a C.sub.6-20 aromatic moiety, L is a cyclohexanenorbornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such phenols include the product of the addition reaction of phenol with a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst includes a transition metal compound, a co-catalyst and a boron halide promoter. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to prepare a thermoset molded article having high Tg and superior flexural strength.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is an aromatic moiety, L is a divalent cyclohexanen or bornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, Gly is a glycidyl ether group, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such epoxy resins include the product of glycidation of the product of the addition reaction of a phenol and a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting epoxy resins have low melt viscosity and low water absorbance in the cured state and are useful as the resinous component of high-performance electrical laminating and encapsulation formulations.

Abstract: A cyanate-functional compound is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is a C.sub.6-20 aromatic moiety, L is a hexanenorbornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such cyanate esters include the product of cyanation of the addition reaction of a phenol with a cyclohexene norbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting cyanate esters have low melt viscosity and low water absorbance in the cured state and are useful as the resinous component of high-performance electrical laminating and encapsulation formulations.

Abstract: An improved olefin metathesis catalyst system is disclosed. The catalyst system comprises a transition metal halide metathesis catalyst and an organo transition metal hydride co-catalyst of the formulaR.sub.x '--Cu--HThe copper hydride co-catalyst of this invention has the general formula R.sub.x '--Cu--H wherein R' is a complexing ligand preferably an organically substituted phosphine, and x is 1 or 2. The organic substituents on the phosphine group are optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbons, such as C.sub.1-20 alkyls or alkenyls, C.sub.3-20 cycloalkyls or cycloalkenyls having 3 to 8 carbon atoms in the ring, or optionally substituted C.sub.6-20 aryl or fused aryl. The optional substituents on the hydrocarbons include halogens, preferably chloride and fluoride; C.sub.1-6 alkyl; C.sub.1-6 alkenyl; or C.sub.1-6 alkoxy.

Abstract: A catalyst system and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst system contains a transition metal hydrotrispyrazolylborate complex having the formula:Tp--M--L.sub.3wherein Tp is a hydrotrispyrazolylborate ligand, M is tungsten or molybdenum, and L is independently a ligand selected from the group consisting of oxo, phenoxy, alkoxy, and halides, provided that at least one L is a halide, and a co-catalyst.

Abstract: An epoxy resin is provided which can be described by the formula ##STR1## in which Ar is an aromatic moiety, L is a divalent cyclohexanenorbornane linking moiety, L' is a divalent cycloaliphatic moiety, Gly is a glycidyl ether group, and each of m and n is a number within the range of 0 to about 10. Such epoxy resins include the product of glycidation of the product of the addition reaction of a phenol and a cyclohexenenorbornene compound such as 5-(3-cyclohexen-1-yl)bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene. The resulting epoxy resins have low melt viscosity and low water absorbance in the cured state and are useful as the resinous component of high-performance electrical laminating and encapsulation formulations.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst comprises the reaction product of a transition metal halide and a 1,4-hydroquinone of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is independently selected from the group of hydrogen, C.sub.1-12 alkyl, C.sub.6-20 aryl, halide, and C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl. Optional co-catalysts include borohydrides, organo tin hydrides and organo aluminum compounds. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to prepare a molded article.

Abstract: An improved olefin metathesis catalyst system is disclosed. The catalyst system comprises a transition metal halide metathesis catalyst and an organo transition metal hydride co-catalyst of the formulaL.sub.x --M--Hwherein M is a group IVB transition metal including zirconium, titanium or hafnium; L is a ligand selected independently from the group of hydrogen, halide and organic ligands such as an optionally substituted C.sub.1-20 alkyl or alkenyl, an optionally substituted C.sub.3-20 cycloalkyl or cycloalkenyl having 3 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring, an optionally substituted C.sub.5-20 cycloakadienyl having 5 carbon atoms in the cycloalkadienyl ring, or an optionally substituted C.sub.6-20 aryl or fused aryl, where at least one L is a cycloalkadienyl; and x is one less than the valence of M. The optional substitutions on the organic ligands include halogens, preferably chloride or flouride; C.sub.1-6 alkyl; C.sub.1-6 alkoxy; and C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl. The preferred ligand is a C.sub.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst comprises the reaction product of a transition metal halide preferably tungsten, molybdenum, or tantalum halides and a diaryl carbinol of the formula ##STR1## wherein G is independently C.sub.1-12 alkyl, C.sub.1-12 alkoxy, C.sub.1-12 alkylamino, C.sub.6-20 aryl, halide, or C.sub.1-6 haloalkyl; g is independently 0 to 4; R is independently hydrogen or G or the R's are combined as a single bond or as a bridging group X, where X is CH.sub.2, CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2, O, S, SO, SO.sub.2 or NR.sup.1, and R.sup.1 is H or C.sub.1-6 alkyl. Optional co-catalysts include borohydrides, organo tin hydrides and organo aluminum compounds. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to prepare a molded article.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, in the presence of an elastomer polymer, are disclosed. The catalyst includes a transition metal compound, a co-catalyst and a boron halide promoter. Polymerization can be carried out at fast reaction times in a reaction injection molding process to prepare a thermoset molded article having high Tg and superior toughness.

Abstract: An improved olefin metathesis catalyst system comprises a tungsten halide having an average of no more than about one halide substituent and no more than one oxygen substituent per tungsten with the remaining tungsten valences satisfied with phenolic substituents incorporating at least one meta or para electron withdrawing group and a triorganotin hydride and, optionally, a boron halide promoter. The catalyst system forms a relatively stable polymerization mixture with polycycloolefins and effectively polymerizes dicyclopentadiene in the presence of water.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for the polymerization of cyclic olefins, such as dicyclopentadiene, are disclosed. The catalyst includes a transition metal compound and a borohydride co-catalyst, with optional boron halide promoter. Polymerization can be carried out in a reaction injection molding process to prepare a thermoset molded article.