Abstract: Disclosed are epoxy resin compositions which include an alkali metal containing cure accelerator. The alkali metal containing cure accelerators are preferably alkali metal hydroxides, alkoxides, carboxylates, or alkali metal salts. Articles prepared from the resin compositions of the invention exhibit enhanced thermal properties, and similar non-thermal properties, when compared to articles prepared from compositions including other accelerators such as imidazoles. The resin compositions of the invention may be used for any purpose, but are particularly suited to be utilized in the manufacture of laminates for printed circuit boards and non-electrical structural applications.

Abstract: Epoxy resin compositions including a boron atom containing compound, and preferably a multiple boron atom containing compound, are disclosed. The resin compositions exhibit enhanced properties such as cure time and glass transition temperature “Tg” and are particular suited to be utilized in the manufacture of composites, especially prepregs used for the manufacture of composite structures.

Abstract: Aliphatic cyclobutene compositions according to the formula ##STR1## can be homopolymerized or copolymerized with a variety of comonomers, including bismaleimides, to produce tough, low dielectric constant resins.

Abstract: A modified bisimide resin is prepared by copolymerizing a bisimide monomer and a cyclic triene. The copolymerization of a bisimide with a cyclic triene such as 1,2,4-trimethylenecyclohexane provides a modified bisimide having good fracture toughness.

Abstract: A modified bisimide resin is prepared by copolymerizing a bisimide monomer and a cyclic triene. The copolymerization of a bisimide with a cyclic triene such as 1,2,4-trimethylenecyclohexane provides a modified bisimide having good fracture toughness.

Abstract: Cure of an epoxy resin by an aliphatic amine is accelerated by a calcium sulfonate or calcium hydrocarbyl sulfate salt. The calcium salt is preferably a salt of a detergent-range sulfonic acid or hydrocarbyl sulfuric acid which is soluble in either the amine or the epoxy resin.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties by first advancing one or more of the monomers. All or a portion of the monomers are advanced in the presence of an advancement initiator or a free-radical-producing radiation source for about 5% to about 95% of the time effective to form a solid. Then, a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion is formed with the advanced monomers and optionally additional monomers or the advanced monomers are added to a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion containing other monomers. The emulsions containing the advanced monomers are cured. The process provides an improved method to incorporate volatile monomers in the porous polymeric material.

Abstract: A solventless thermosettable composition comprising a dialkenylbenzene and an effective amount of an alkylbenzenesul fonic acid curina aqent exhibits reduced tendency to gel during cure with the addition of a polyarylamine. The cured material, which is particularly useful in electrical/electronic applications, exhibits low dielectric constant and good fracture toughness.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition containing an anhydride-functional cyclobutene which can be represented by the formula ##STR1## in which each R is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, aryl, halide and C.sub.1-10 heteroatomic.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a polyimide such as a bismaleimide, an epoxy resin and a curing agent for the epoxy resin can be thermally cured to a tough polymer blend having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a polyacrylate monomer and an optional polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties by first advancing one or more of the monomers. All or a portion of the monomers are advanced in the presence of an advancement initiator or a free-radical-producing radiation source for about 5% to about 95% of the time effective to form a solid. Then, a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion is formed with the advanced monomers and optionally additional monomers or the advanced monomers are added to a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion containing other monomers. The emulsions containing the advanced monomers are cured. The process provides an improved method to incorporate volatile monomers in the porous polymeric material.

Abstract: Copolymeric compositions derived from polydienophilic monomers and aliphatic cyclobutene monomers according to the formula ##STR1## in which each R is independently selected from hydrogen, halide, C.sub.1-10 alkyl, aryl and C.sub.1-10 heteroatomic such as alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio and dialkylamino; X is a divalent linking group; an n is 2.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a polyacrylate monomer and an optional polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a bisbenzocyclobutene and a polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A process and catalyst are disclosed for the catalyzed reaction of an organometallic reagent with a reactive halide in the presence of a diphosphine complex of a nickel carboxylate or sulfonate. The process can be employed in the synthesis of aromatic compounds such as bisbenzocyclobutenes.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a triene such as myrcene and a polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a diallyl compound and a polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.

Abstract: A composition comprising a curable epoxy resin, a reactive diluent, a curing agent for the epoxy resin, and an isocyanate compound is stable at room temperature for extended periods of time and cures to form a part which has good high-temperature properties.

Abstract: A curable composition containing a dicyanate ester, a bisimide and a bisbenzocyclobutene provides a processable cyanate ester which has improved toughness in the cured state.