Abstract: A process for recycling polyoxymethylene polymers is disclosed. A polyoxymethylene polymer is at least partially dissolved in an aprotic compound. The resulting solution or suspension (liquid mixture) is then contacted with a catalyst which causes the polyoxymethylene polymer to be converted into a cyclic acetal. The cyclic acetal can be separated, collected and used in other processes. In one embodiment, the cyclic acetal may be used to produce a polyoxymethylene polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing a cyclic acetal is disclosed. According to the process, a formaldehyde source is combined with an aprotic compound and contacted with a heterogeneous catalyst which causes the formaldehyde source to convert into a cyclic acetal such as trioxane. The catalyst, for instance, may comprise a solid catalyst such as an ion exchange resin. In one embodiment, the process is used for converting anhydrous formaldehyde gas to trioxane. The anhydrous formaldehyde gas may be produced form an aqueous formaldehyde solution by an extractive distillation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing cyclic acetal comprising i) preparing a liquid reaction mixture comprising a) a formaldehyde source, b) an aprotic compound and c) a catalyst; wherein the total amount of protic compounds is less than 40 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the reaction mixture; and ii) converting the formaldehyde source into cyclic acetals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing cyclic acetal comprising i) preparing a reaction mixture comprising a) a formaldehyde source in a liquid medium and b) a catalyst; ii) converting the formaldehyde source into cyclic acetals, wherein the final conversion of said formaldehyde source to said cyclic acetal is greater than 10% on basis of the initial formaldehyde source.

Abstract: Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of oxymethylene polymers, the oxymethylene polymers obtained therefrom as well as their use.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of oxymethylene polymers and apparatus suitable for this purpose A process and an apparatus for the preparation of oxymethylene polymers is described. The process encompasses the polymerization of a monomer that forms oxymethylene groups, if appropriate in the presence of a cyclic acetal, together with an acetal of formaldehyde and with an initiator for cationic polymerization, preferably in a gas-tight kneader or extruder. The temperature profile of the polymerization here is designed in such a way that the polymerization mixture, which is initially heterogeneous by virtue of precipitating polymer, is converted to a homogeneous phase at the end of the polymerization. The homogeneous phase in which the polymer is present in liquid form is stabilized via addition of deactivators. After removal of volatile constituents, oxymethylene polymers are obtained with high thermal stability and with good mechanical properties.

Abstract: Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: Oxymethylene polymers having a bimodal distribution or having a distribution of higher modality and having a targeted content of a low molecular weight fraction of from 1 to 5 percent by mass are described. Moldings of these polymers are distinguished by high low-temperature notched impact strength associated with a high modulus of elasticity.

Abstract: Oxymethylene copolymers having a high proportion of terminal alkyl ether groups and having terminal hydroxyalkylene groups are described. These polymers are distinguished by high thermal stability and high hot water resistance.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for preparation of oxymethylene polymers. This process encompasses polymerization, in a homogeneous phase, of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups, as far as 90% of maximum conversion in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by deactivation of the reaction mixture. The resultant oxymethylene polymers have alkyl ether end groups and are extremely stable.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of oxymethylene polymers as well as oxymethylene polymers obtainable therefrom. The process includes polymerization of a monomer, which forms —CH2—O— units in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde or a polyhydric alcohol and an initiator for cationic polymerization. The initiator may be a heteropoly acid or an acid salt thereof which is dissolved in an alkyl ester of a polybasic carboxylic acid.

Abstract: A process is described for preparation of oxymethylene homo- and copolymers. This encompasses heterogeneous polymerization of a monomer which forms oxymethylene groups in the presence of an acetal of formaldehyde and of an initiator for cationic polymerization, followed by the deactivation of the polymer in a homogeneous phase via treatment with a basic aprotic solvent or with an aprotic solvent which comprises a base. Oxymethylene homopolymers with very high stability are also described.

Abstract: Processes are described which comprise: (a) providing a mixture comprising a cyclic formal and water, wherein the mixture has a cyclic formal concentration and a water concentration; (b) bringing the mixture into contact with an aqueously selective membrane; (c) creating a pressure differential across the membrane; and (d) obtaining a permeate having a higher water concentration and a lower cyclic formal concentration than the mixture, and a retentate having a lower water concentration and a higher cyclic formal concentration than the mixture.

Abstract: A process for preparing acetals from aldehydes and alcohols is carried out by generating a reaction/distillation zone charged with an acidic fixed bed catalyst in a distillation column, feeding the aldehyde and the alcohol to the reaction/distillatlon zone and at least partly converting them to the acetal, heating the column bottom disposed below the reaction/distillation zone in order to at least partly evaporate the bottom's mixture and to establish a defined temperature in the reaction/distillation zone, feeding an extractant into a rectifying section of the column, disposed above the reaction/distillation zone and condensing a product having more than 90% by weight of acetal at the top of the column.

Abstract: Processes are described which comprise: (a) providing a mixture comprising a cyclic formal and water, wherein the mixture has a cyclic formal concentration and a water concentration; (b) bringing the mixture into contact with an organically selective membrane; (c) creating a pressure differential across the membrane; and (d) obtaining a permeate having a lower water concentration and a higher cyclic formal concentration than the mixture, and a retentate having a higher water concentration and a lower cyclic formal concentration than the mixture.

Abstract: Process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions. The present invention relates to a process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions, with methanol being converted into formaldehyde dimethyl acetal by reactive distillation in the presence of an acidic fixed-bed catalyst, and the resultant mixture comprising methanol, formaldehyde dimethyl acetal and possibly other impurities being distilled off.

Abstract: Process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions. The present invention relates to a process for removing methanol from formaldehyde-containing solutions, with methanol being converted into formaldehyde dimethyl acetal by reactive distillation in the presence of an acidic fixed-bed catalyst, and the resultant mixture comprising methanol, formaldehyde dimethyl acetal and possibly other impurities being distilled off.

Abstract: A radiation-curable mixture is disclosed which contains a compound which forms an acid under the action of high-energy radiation, and contains an acid-curable compound, wherein the compound which forms an acid contains aliphatically bound halogen (chlorine or bromine) and has a pK.sub.a value of less than about 12. A radiation-curable recording material and a process for recording high-energy radiation using the material are also disclosed. The mixture, and in particular the recording material produced therefrom, has relatively high sensitivity and improved resolution and, in addition, does not exhibit image fogging after development.

Abstract: A positive radiation-sensitive mixture is disclosed comprising a compound which forms an acid under the action of high-energy radiation and an acid-cleavable compound, wherein the compound which forms an acid contains aromatically bound chlorine or bromine and has a pK.sub.a value of less than about 12 or is a derivative of a compound having such a pK.sub.a value. The mixture and the recording material produced therefrom have a relatively high-sensitivity and improved resolution and, in addition, exhibit no scumming after development.