Abstract: An improved free radical polymerization process employing as a polymerization initiator a bisquinone peroxide. Upon decomposition to initiate polymerization such bisquinone peroxides may also produce singlet oxygen capable of producing hydroperoxidized rubber if rubber is included in the polymerization mixture. The by-products formed from the decomposition of the bisquinone peroxide desirably comprise hindered phenolic compounds having antioxidant properties.

Abstract: Control of an anionic polymerization is obtained by monitoring an indicator of molecular weight of the polymer in the polymerizing mixture, measuring the molecular weight of the polymer produced therein and using this information to control the rate at which polymerization initiator is added to the polymerizing mixture in a continuous stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: Polycarbonate resin compositions are disclosed comprising: (a) a polycarbonate resin; (b) an ABS-type terpolymer; and (c) at least one polyether-polycarbonate-polyether ABA-type triblock copolymer. These compositions are characterized by an improved Izod toughness at lower temperatures.

Abstract: New polymeric compositions comprising polyether-polycarbonate-polyether triblock copolymers and a method of preparation comprising reacting a monohydroxy polyether in an organic with a carbonate precursor such as phosgene, adding the resultant mixture to a dihydric compound such as bisphenol A, water, an organic solvent and an acid acceptor, controlling the pH of the polymerizing mixture at about 11 and, after the polymerization is complete, decreasing the pH to about 8 and recovering the product.

Abstract: New polymeric compositions comprising polyolefin-polycarbonate-polyolefin triblock copolymers and a method of preparation comprising reacting a monohydroxy polyolefin in an organic solvent with a carbonate precursor such as phosgene, adding the resultant mixture to bisphenol A, water, an organic solvent and an acid acceptor such as sodium hydroxide, controlling the pH of the polymerizing mixture at 11 and, after the polymerization is complete, decreasing the pH to 8 and recovering the product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a continuous process which removes the 1 to 3% cyclic oligomers formed in the polycarbonate process and after hydrolysis of the oligomers recycles the resulting monomer for use in the reaction forming the polycarbonates. To remove the cyclic oligomers to a level so as to produce an improved polycarbonate product and to recover the oligomers in an economical manner for recycling in a continuous process, the selection of a solvent is unique and essential to achieve the continuous process. The solvent for the cyclic oligomers must be immiscible with water, must not react with an alkali and have a cohesive energy density of less than 90.

Abstract: Control of an anionic polymerization is obtained by monitoring an indicator of molecular weight of the polymer in the polymerizing mixture, measuring the molecular weight of the polymer produced therein and using this information to control the rate at which polymerization initiator is added to the polymerizing mixture in a continuous stirred tank reactor.

Abstract: A polymer resin comprising a blend of polypropylene, a copolymer of a vinylaromatic monomer and .alpha.-methylstyrene prepared by anionic polymerization at a temperature above 61.degree. C. and a monovinylidene aromatic polymer grafted .alpha.-olefin copolymer compatibilizing agent.

Abstract: Copolymers of alpha-emthylstyrene and its like alkenyl aromatic monomers containing alpha-methyl substitution in the alkenyl portion of the monomer molecule (to provide alpha-methyl-alkenyl aromatic), particularly the copolymers of .alpha.-methylstyrene with styrene, which exhibit excellent homogeneity are produced with anionic catalyst initiation in, most advantageously, solution systems using intensive backmixing, recirculatory sorts of reactor unit apparatus in which to conduct the copolymerization by continuously charging a feed stream to the reactor of the mixed monomers to be copolymerized in which the ratio of .alpha.-methylalkenyl aromatic monomer to sytrene or other non-.alpha.-methyl-containing-alkenyl aromatic monomer is kept in unusually low relative proportions while keeping the reaction mass in which the copolymer is being formed in nicely homogeneous mixture.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization apparatus includes a continuously stirred reactor, a conduit connected to the discharge of the continuously stirred tank reactor, the conduit being in operative communication with an optical apparatus to provide a first signal which varies as molecular weight of polymer in effluent from the continuously stirred tank reactor varies, the first signal passing to a flow control apparatus adjusting the initiator flow control apparatus to thereby provide molecular weight control of a polymer being prepared, a gel permeation chromatograph adapted to receive effluent from the continuously stirred reactor and measure the molecular weight of a polymer and provide a second signal indicative of the molecular weight of the polymer to the optical apparatus and adjust the optical apparatus to provide a desired first signal to thereby provide a polymer of a generally uniform molecular weight.

Abstract: A polystyrene is prepared from a C.sub.8 cracker stream by first hydrogenating phenylacetylene to styrene and subsequently anionically polymerizing the styrene.

Abstract: The title compounds are useful vinyl polymerization initiators of high thermal stability and correspond to the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an x-valent hydrocarbon whose chain length can be interrupted by one or more ether linkages, R' is an aliphatic moiety of 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, R" is a tertiary hydrocarbon, and x is an integer of at least 2.

Abstract: Styrene-acrylic acid or styrene-methacrylic acid copolymers having improved physical properties are prepared by the solution copolymerization of styrene and acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid at a temperature between 110.degree. and 150.degree. C. in the presence of certain tertiary butyl peroxides.

Abstract: Styrene and acrylic acid or methacrylic acid copolymers can be devolatilized at a temperature above 200.degree. C. and below the decomposition temperature of the copolymer under vacuum in the presence of a monohydric compound such as alcohol or water without significant increase in molecular weight or the formation of undesirable and insoluble gels.

Abstract: Organic peroxide compositions suitable for free radical polymerization, the compositions comprising a mixture of a shock-sensitive peroxide and a diluent, the diluent being a monomeric material containing olefinic unsaturation which does not readily homopolymerize.

Abstract: Organic peroxide compositions suitable for free radical polymerization, the compositions comprising a mixture of a shock-sensitive peroxide and a diluent, the diluent being a monomeric material containing olefinic unsaturation which does not readily homopolymerize.

Abstract: A process for preparation of water-soluble polyvinylbenzyl quaternary ammonium halides by the halomethylation and subsequent quaternization of a polystyrene with the improvement that said polystyrene is a cationically-initiated polystyrene of about 1000 to about 50,000 M.sub.w and M.sub.w /M.sub.n ratio of less than about 8, preferably having less than about 0.1 mole percent residual unsaturation. The quaternized product is useful as a water clarifier and as electroconductive film for copying paper and the like.

Abstract: Di-t-butylperoxy ketals are prepared from t-butyl hydroperoxide and the appropriate ketone in the presence of from 1 to 10 times the weight of ketone of ethylbenzene employing an acidic catalyst. Water is removed by azeotropic distillation with ethylbenzene and excess t-butyl hydroperoxide is subsequently removed by azeotropic distillation of additional ethylbenzene to provide a solution of the di-t-butylperoxide ketal in ethylbenzene which is particularly desirable as an initiator for styrene polymerization.

Abstract: Tertiary alkyl peroxyesters of pyromellitic acid such as tetra-tert-butylperoxy pyromellitate are conveniently prepared by reacting the tertiary alkyl hydroperoxide with the acid chloride at about ambient temperature. The peroxyesters are useful initiators of ethylenic polymerization to produce polymers of relatively high molecular weight and broad molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: Heterocyclic nitrogen-containing peroxides are prepared by reacting a tertiary alkyl hydroperoxide with a nitrogen heterocycle substituted cycloalkene such as 1-(4-morpholinyl)cyclohexene. The products are useful initiators of vinyl polymerization where a peroxide initiator of relatively high thermal stability is desirable.