Abstract: A free radical polymerization process for producing a branched polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer comprising polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is H, alkyl, or aralkyl, and R' is alkyl or aryl.

Abstract: Disclosed is an extruded, linear, bimodal monovinyl aromatic polymer foam having a weight average molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 200,000, greater than 5 percent by weight of its polymer chains having a weight average molecular weight of 500,000 to 1,000,000, and less than 5 percent by weight of its polymer chains having a weight average molecular weight of greater than 1,000,000. Use of the polymer enables process pressure drop to be significantly reduced and allows the formation of a foam of lower density and larger cross-section. Further disclosed is a process for making the extruded foam.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby a polymeric resin (containing ester and/or carbonate bonds) is readily converted into a resin having a modified molecular structure. Accordingly, a cyclic carbonate (a monomer or oligomer) is transesterified with the polymer resin in the melt, preferably upon extrusion, optionally in the presence of a catalyst. Significantly, the cyclic carbonate which may include any of a variety of functional groups may, by the inventive process, be inserted into the structure of the polymer, effecting a modification to the structure and the properties of the resin. Among the disclosed beneficial modifications thus imparted to the resin are improved thermal stability, altered rheology and optical properties.

Abstract: A living free-radical polymerization process for preparing polymers from vinyl aromatic monomers comprising polymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a difunctional nitroxyl initiator.

Abstract: A process of polymerizing a monomer capable of undergoing free radical polymerization, comprising contacting the monomer with a diradical initiator at a temperature sufficient to initiate free radical polymerization, wherein said diradical initiator contains sites of C--C unsaturation which cyclize to form a diradical.

Abstract: A process is disclosed whereby a polymeric resin (containing ester and/or carbonate bonds) is readily converted into a resin having a modified molecular structure. Accordingly, a cyclic carbonate (a monomer or oligomer) is transesterified with the polymer resin in the melt, preferably upon extrusion, optionally in the presence of a catalyst. Significantly, the cyclic carbonate which may include any of a variety of functional groups may, by the inventive process, be inserted into the structure of the polymer, effecting a modification to the structure and the properties of the resin. Among the disclosed beneficial modifications thus imparted to the resin are improved thermal stability, altered rheology and optical properties.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for preparing a branched polymer from a vinyl aromatic monomer comprising, copolymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer with a monomer pair, wherein the monomer pair consists of two different monomers containing functionalities which are substantially nonreactive with each other under the conditions of copolymerization, and heating the copolymer produced to a temperature such that the functionalities react with each other to form branches within the polymer.

Abstract: Addition polymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are provided comprising a 5-, 6- or 7-membered polymer unit formed from a copolymerizable, unsaturated, chain transfer agent containing a labile hydrogen and capable of forming by means of a hydrogen shift mechanism a free radical having 5, 6 or 7 atoms between and including the .alpha.-carbon of the ethylenically unsaturated group and the labile hydrogen.

Abstract: Polymers containing the phosphine oxide moiety are identified as being particularly useful in applications where resistance to atomic oxygen etching is required and in applications where second order nonlinear optical effects will be utilized. Particularly preferred polymers for these two applications include poly(arylene ether phosphine oxide)s (PEPOS), and novel PEPOS which include phenolphthalein sub-units and derivatives thereof have been prepared.

Abstract: A flegmatizer, which is an oligomer of styrene or of styrene and at least one comonomer, is admixed with an organic peroxide to reduce the heat- and/or shock-sensitivity of the peroxide. The resulting composition can be employed to polymerize olefinic monomers.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers comprising pendant ketone functional moieties, the steps of the process comprising exposing a mixture comprising an ethylenically unsaturated addition polymerizable monomer and a .beta.-substituted ketone compound corresponding to the formula:XCH.sub.2 --CHR'--C(O)RwhereX is a suitable leaving group,R' is hydrogen or R; andR is alkyl or aryl of up to 12 carbonsto vinyl ketone monomer formation conditions to prepare the corresponding vinyl ketone monomer from the .beta.-substituted ketone compound and subsequently exposing the mixture to addition polymerization conditions to prepare the resulting polymer.

Abstract: 2-amino-3-methyl-1-naphthalenecarbonitriles of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halogen, cyano, or hydrogen are prepared by pyrolizing a by-product of a SAN or ABS manufacturing process of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R is alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, halogen, cyano, or hydrogen.In another respect, this invention is a process for identifying aldehydes comprising: (a) contacting 2-amino-3-methyl-1-naphthalene-carbonitrile with aldehydes to form an UV-absorbing imine, and (b) analyzing the imine using conventional analytical techniques to identify the presence of the imines.

Abstract: Photodegradable polymers comprising B-alkoxy substituted vinyl ketone functionality and thermoplastic articles formed therefrom.

Abstract: High molecular weight polymers of vinyl aromatic monomers are prepared by free radical polymerization in the presence of 5 to 5000 ppm of a soluble organic acid having pKa from 0.5 to 2.5.

Abstract: Photodegradable and biodegradable polymers comprising both ketone functionality and hydrolyzable polymer ester or amide functionality and thermoplastic articles formed therefrom are disclosed.

Abstract: High molecular weight polymers of vinyl aromatic monomers are prepared by organic hydroperoxide initiated free radical polymerization in the presence of 5 to 5000 ppm of a soluble organic acid having pKa from 0.5 to 2.5.

Abstract: Multifunctional cyclobutarene peroxide polymerization initiators comprising at least one cyclobutarene moiety linked through the aromatic ring to at least one peroxide containing group which catalyze free radical polymerizations, as well as participate in cyclobutarene initiated ring opening polymerizations. The cyclobutarene peroxides of this invention are useful for the production of cross-linked, branched and graft polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Multifunctional cyclobutarene peroxide polymerization initiators comprising at least one cyclobutarene moiety linked through the aromatic ring to at least one peroxide containing group which catalyze free radical plymerizations, as well as participate in cyclobutarene initiated ring opening polymerizations. The cyclobutarene peroxides of this invention are useful for the production of cross-linked, branched and graft polymeric compositions.

Abstract: Multifunctional cyclobutarene peroxide polymerization initiators comprising at least one cyclobutarene moiety linked through the aromatic ring to at least one peroxide containing group which catalyze free radical polymerizations, as well as participate in cyclobutarene initiated ring opening polymerizations. The cyclobutarene peroxides of this invention are useful for the production of cross-linked, branched and graft polymeric compositions.

Abstract: A method for preparing hydroxyl-containing polymers comprising polymerizing at least one free radical-polymerizable monomer in the presence of at least one monohydroxy-containing chain transfer agent and at least one hydroxy-containing free radical initiator. The method results in monohydroxy-functional polymers in yields in excess of 90%.