Abstract: A method of preparing polymer, the method comprising polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers of formula (I) where U is selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl or halogen; V is halogen or of the form O-G where G is selected from —C(O)R1 and —R1, or V is of the form NGGa where G is as defined above and Ga is selected from H and R1, G and Ga form together with N a heterocyclic ring, or V is of the form CH2Gb where Gb is selected from H, R1, OH, OR1, NR12, PR12, P(O)R12, P(OR1)2, SR1, SOR1, and SO2R1; and where the or each R1 is independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted carbocyclyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl, optionally substituted alkylaryl, optionally substituted alkylheteroaryl, and an optionally substituted polymer chain, under the control of a RA

Abstract: A polymer comprising a conducting or semiconducting segment coupled to a polymer segment having an insulating polymer backbone, the polymer further comprising a RAFT functional group coupled to the polymer segment, wherein there is no RAFT functional group in between the conducting or semiconducting segment and the polymer segment.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a conducting or semiconducting segment coupled to a polymer segment having an insulating polymer backbone, the polymer further comprising a RAFT functional group coupled to the polymer segment, wherein there is no RAFT functional group in between the conducting or semiconducting segment and the polymer segment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula (I) into derived polymers in which the —S—(C?S)— group is transformed. The process includes contacting the starting polymer containing groups Yb with one or more reagents containing groups Xa to produce the derived polymer and a byproduct containing the groups Yb, wherein the groups Xa is one or more reactive groups and the groups Yb is an extracting group and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as high refractive index spectacle lenses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing RAFT, ATRP or NMRP functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on a microporous substrate. A further aspect of the invention is the subsequent modification of the thin film composite polyamide membrane by controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) to yield membranes having new chemical and physical properties, e.g. antifouling and/or antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the invention are the functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on the microporous substrate itself and the membranes modified by controlled free radical polymerization.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a conducting or semiconducting segment coupled to a polymer segment having an insulating polymer backbone, the polymer further comprising a RAFT functional group coupled to the polymer segment, wherein there is no RAFT functional group in between the conducting or semiconducting segment and the polymer segment.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula —S—(C?S)— into derived polymers having thiol end groups of the formula —SH. The process includes contacting the aforedescribed starting polymers, with a reagent having the formula Xa Yb, wherein Xa is a nucleophilic group and Yb is an extracting group that results in the starting polymer and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from any odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as contact lenses.

Abstract: A method of preparing polymer, the method comprising polymerising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers of formula (I) where U is selected from H, C1-C4 alkyl or halogen; V is halogen or of the form O-G where G is selected from —C(O)R1 and —R1, or V is of the form NGGa where G is as defined above and Ga is selected from H and R1, G and Ga form together with N a heterocyclic ring, or V is of the form CH2Gb where Gb is selected from H, R1, OH, OR1, NR12, PR12, P(O)R12, P(OR1)2, SR1, SOR1, and SO2R1; and where the or each R1 is independently selected from optionally substituted alkyl, optionally substituted alkenyl, optionally substituted alkynyl, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heteroaryl, optionally substituted carbocyclyl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl, optionally substituted arylalkyl, optionally substituted heteroarylalkyl, optionally substituted alkylaryl, optionally substituted alkylheteroaryl, and an optionally substituted polymer chain, under the control of a RA

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing RAFT, ATRP or NMRP functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on a microporous substrate. A further aspect of the invention is the subsequent modification of the thin film composite polyamide membrane by controlled free radical polymerization (CFRP) to yield membranes having new chemical and physical properties, e.g. antifouling and/or antibacterial properties. Further aspects of the invention are the functionalized thin film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes on the microporous substrate itself and the membranes modified by controlled free radical polymerization.

Abstract: A polymer comprising a conducting or semiconducting segment coupled to a polymer segment having an insulating polymer backbone, the polymer further comprising a RAFT functional group coupled to the polymer segment, wherein there is no RAFT functional group in between the conducting or semiconducting segment and the polymer segment.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for removing certain sulfur-containing groups from polymers, especially those made via RAFT polymerization processes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase, a dispersed organic phase comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and an amphiphilic RAFT agent as a stabiliser for said organic phase, and (ii) polymerising said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers under the control of said amphiphilic RAFT agent to form said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles, novel amphiphilic RAFT agents for use in this method, novel RAFT agents useful in making these amphiphilic RAFT agents and methods for their manufacture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of polymer particles comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a dispersion having a continuous aqueous phase, a dispersed organic phase comprising one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and an amphiphilic RAFT agent as a stabilizer for said organic phase, and (ii) polymerizing said one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers under the control of said amphiphilic RAFT agent to form said aqueous dispersion of polymer particles, novel amphiphilic RAFT agents for use in this method, novel RAFT agents useful in making these amphiphilic RAFT agents and methods for their manufacture.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula (I) into derived polymers in which the —S—(C?S)— group is transformed. The process includes contacting the starting polymer containing groups Yb with one or more reagents containing groups Xa to produce the derived polymer and a byproduct containing the groups Yb, wherein the groups Xa is one or more reactive groups and the groups Yb is an extracting group and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as high refractive index spectacle lenses.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2=CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q am as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2=CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q am as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a composition, preferably a nanocomposite material, comprising (a) a synthetic polymer, (b) a filler such as for example a natural or synthetic phyllosilicate or a mixture of such phyllosilicates, preferably in nanoparticles, and (c) as dispersing agent a polymer based on a long chain alkyl meth(acryte).