Abstract: The present invention relates to electrically conducting thermoset compositions and methods for preparing them. In the compositions according to the invention, the conducting component is a polyaniline protonated with a protonic acid containing at least one hydroxyl group. The thermoset matrix can be, for instance, a phenol-formaldehyde resin, a melamine-formaldehyde resin, or a polyester resin.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conductive polymer complex which contains a polyaniline or derivative thereof doped with a protonic acid. By the method according to the invention, a conductive polymer is obtained having substantially reduced acidity, sufficiently high conductivity level, and which is suitable, for example, for being melt processed in conventional plastics processing apparatus. The acidity of the conductive polymer can be reduced by having the conductive polymer contain both a metal compound and an additionally neutralizing compound. The obtained conductive polymer material, having a pH value of approximately 3-8, can be mixed with an insulating polymer to produce a conductive plastics mixture. The invention also relates to a method of preparing a conductive polymer that is more processable by incorporating therein a plasticizing agent selected from the group consisting of water, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of 3-substituted thiophenes in which the substituent is a C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl group. According to the invention, the preparation is carried out by allowing an alkali metal salt of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl-succinic acid to react with a compound of sulfur and phosphorus, e.g. tetraphosphorus decasulfide, in an organic solvent at a temperature of 100.degree.-180.degree. C., the product obtained being 3-(C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkyl)thiophene. The said reaction may be the last step in a process in which the initial material is maleic acid anhydride with which .alpha.-C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkene is combined so that C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkenylsuccinic acid anhydride is obtained, whereafter this is hydrogenated catalytically to produce C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 -alkylsuccinic acid anhydride. This is thereafter reacted with an alkali metal hydroxide so that an alkali salt of the C.sub.4 -C.sub.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polyaniline having a desired molar mass. Control of the molar mass of the polyaniline is achieved in connection with an aniline polymerization reaction, by feeding aniline and an oxidizing agent participating in the polymerization reaction gradually into a polymerization vessel. By varying the feeding speeds of the aniline and the oxidizing agent, polyanilines having different molar masses are obtained.