Abstract: This invention provides certain polycarbonates and polycarbonate blends useful in optical article applications. In a preferred embodiment, copolymers of, for example, certain ortho substituted bisphenol A-based polycarbonates and bisphenol A, optionally further comprising polycarbonate residues derived from ortho subsitituted spirobiindane compounds and alkylene or cycloalkylene diacid moieties. In a further embodiment, the invention provides copolymers of certain ortho-substituted bisphenol A moieties and ortho-substituted spirobiindane moieties. Also provided are optical articles comprised of the copolymers and blends of the invention. We have found that such copolymers and blends exhibit superior dimensional stability when exposed to water or moisture.

Abstract: Polymer blends suitable for use in optical article. The polymer blends comprise a first and second polycarbonate and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media.

Abstract: The damping performance of an article and a polycarbonate composition is improved and a storage medium for data is provided with a glass transition temperature greater than about 150° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to substantially single phase silicone copolycarbonates suitable for use in optical articles such as digital versatile disks. The silicone copolycarbonates contain residues of silicone containing and nonsilicone containing bisphenols and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The invention further relates to the preparation and properties of substantially single phase silicone copolycarbonates having either a blocky or a random structure. The structure of the compositions of the invention is determined by the method of preparation used and may be used to control physical properties.

Abstract: The damping performance of an article and a polycarbonate composition is improved and a storage medium for data is provided which comprises the use of at least one ortho-methyl substituted polycarbonate structure.

Abstract: Copolyestercarbonates comprising carbonate structural units derived from at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound, preferably bisphenol A, and ester units derived from a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a composition comprising at least one C36 dimer acid may be prepared by an interfacial phosgenation method conducted at a pH in the range of about 9-11. The copolyestercarbonates have properties which are often superior to those of corresponding polymers prepared, for example, from dodecanedioic acid.

Abstract: Copolyestercarbonates comprising carbonate structural units derived from at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound, preferably bisphenol A, and ester units derived from a dihydroxyaromatic compound and a composition comprising at least one C36 dimer acid may be prepared by an interfacial phosgenation method conducted at a pH in the range of about 9-11. The copolyestercarbonates have properties which are often superior to those of corresponding polymers prepared, for example, from dodecanedioic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to terpolymers particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The terpolymers are suitable for use in DVD recordable and rewritable media. The invention further relates to methods for making DVD recordable and rewritable media from these terpolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to transparent blends of polymers suitable for use in optical articles; the polymers contain residues of BCC and its derivatives, and have properties particularly suited for use in high density optical data storage media. The polymers further contain residues of other polymers, such as &agr;-methyl polystyrene and polystyrene derivatives; bisphenols, such as bisphenol A; cycloaliphatic polyester resins, such as PCCD and its derivatives or some combination of each.

Abstract: The present invention related to a method for preparing a polyestercarbonate, the method comprising: a) reacting a dihydric phenol and a diacid having from 12 to about 30 carbon atoms in the presence of an effective amount of carbonate precursor, thereby forming a reaction mixture, wherein the pH of the reaction mixture is maintained in an initial pH range of from about 8.5 to about 9.5 for about 50% to about 95% of the total carbonate precursor addition, and a second pH range of from about 10 to about 12 for the remainder of the carbonate precursor addition.

Abstract: A melt condensation polymerization process for preparing polyester carbonate is provided. The process includes the steps of pre-reacting a carbonic acid diester and catalyst with a diacid and reacting at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound with the reacted pre-reaction mixture.

Abstract: Novel phenolic compounds are disclosed which bear at least two functional groups, at least one of which is a phenolic moiety. In one of its aspects the invention relates to phenolic compounds which may be derived from naturally occurring essential oils such as citronella oil. Polymers derived from novel phenolic compounds are also disclosed. In one embodiment polycarbonates and polyestercarbonates are made through copolymerization of novel phenolic compounds with at least one dihydric phenol and a carbonate precursor under reactive conditions.

Abstract: A melt condensation polymerization process for preparing siloxane copolycarbonates is provided. The process includes reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound, carbonic acid diester, hydroxyaryl terminated polydiorganosiloxane and catalyst with a salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to polycarbonates comprising: (a) carbonate structural units corresponding to structure (I) where R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, R5 is C1-C3 alkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2, and (b) carbonate structural units corresponding to structure (II):  where R6, R7, R10 and R11 are independently C1-C6 alkyl, R8 and R9 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl, R12 is H or C1-C3 alkyl and n is 0, 1 or 2; where the polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature of from about 120° C. to about 185° C. and a water absorption of less than about 0.33%. This invention further relates to method of making these polycarbonates, optical articles made from these polycarbonates, and methods of making optical articles from these polycarbonates.

Abstract: A melt condensation polymerization process for preparing polyester carbonate is provided which comprises the reaction of an aromatic dihydroxy compound, carbonic acid diester and catalyst with a diacid.

Abstract: The invention relates to polycarbonates suitable for use in optical articles, and methods for making such polycarbonates. The polycarbonates may comprise residues of m,p-BPA and SBI.

Abstract: Flame retardant blends comprising a polycarbonate portion containing spirobiindane units, at least one addition polymer such as a styrene-acrylonitrile or ABS copolymer, and at least one phosphoryl flame retardant have high temperature stability properties superior to those of similar blends not containing the spirobiindane units. Blends in which the polycarbonate portion contains such units in amounts up to 5 mole percent also have excellent ductility.

Abstract: This invention relates to polyestercarbonates comprising residues of at least one branched aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, and methods for preparation of polyestercarbonates comprising residues of at least one branched aliphatic dicarboxylic acid. This invention further relates to articles and methods of making articles from the polyestercarbonates.

Abstract: The level of anhydride linkages in copolyestercarbonates is decreased by preparing the copolyestercarbonate interfacially in a two-step method from at least one dihydroxyaromatic compound and at least one dicarboxylic acid. The first step is conducted at a pH in the range of about 4.5-9.5, employing the combination of a phase transfer catalyst such as a tetraalkylammonium halide and a tertiary amine such as triethylamine. The proportion of the phase transfer catalyst is in the range of about 3-12 mole percent based on total dihydroxyaromatic compound and dicarboxylic acid employed. In the second phosgenation step, the pH is raised to at least 10 and a stoichiometric phosgene excess of at least 5% is introduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to polycarbonates containing residues derived from alicyclic bisphenols or derivatives of alicyclic bisphenols; and optical articles formed from these polycarbonates. The polycarbonates have suitable properties for use in optical data storage media.