Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-curable composition comprising (1) a polyepoxide, (2) a polyacrylate or polymethyacrylate ester of a polyol, (3) an unsaturated aromatic monomer, (4) an aromatic amine, (5) a free-radical initiator, and optionally (6) an accelerator for the epoxy curing reaction.

Abstract: A modified bisimide resin is prepared by copolymerizing a bisimide monomer and a bisoxazoline. The copolymerization of a bisimide with a bisoxazoline such as 2,2'-(1,3-phenylene)bisoxazoline provides a modified bisimide having improved fracture toughness.

Abstract: A modified bisimide resin is prepared by copolymerizing a bisimide monomer and a reactive triene which contains a conjugated double bond capable of Diels-Alder reaction with the bisimide and an isolated double bond. The copolymerization of a bisimide with a reactive triene such as myrcene provides a modified bisimide having good fracture toughness.

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 class of benzocyclobutene/bisimide copolymers having superior toughness are disclosed. The copolymers are derived from bisbenzocyclobutene monomers by one of structures ##STR1## in which R is selected from unsubstituted and non-electrophilic substituted phenylene, naphthalenediyl and ##STR2## X is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, --CH.sub.2 -- and --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --; and X' is selected from O, S, N and --CH.sub.2 --. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a bisbenzocyclobutene/bisimide copolymer having a Tg greater than 200.degree. C. and a Mode I fracture toughness greater than 2 MPa.m.sup.1/2.

Abstract: A pressure containing vessel is provided which incorporates a means, of restricting flow from the vessel, the means being internal to the vessel. This means to restrict flow reduces the resultant hazards in the event that fittings external to the vessel are inadvertently severed from the vessel.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the pyrolytic production of a cyclobutenoarene from an o-alkylarylmethyl halide, the process involving the condensation of the pyrolysis product stream in the presence of water vapor. Water can be added to the process with the starting material so that it is present during pyrolysis and/or it can be added to the mixed product stream from the pyrolysis zone. The presence of water vapor in the product stream enables the condensation of aqueous hydrogen halide and provides a relatively simple way to reduce corrosion of downstream equipment.

Abstract: A class of benzocyclobutene/bisimide copolymers having superior toughness are disclosed. The copolymers are derived from bisbenzocyclobutene monomers characterized by one of structures ##STR1## in which R is selected from unsubstituted and non-electrophilic substituted phenylene, naphthalenediyl and ##STR2## X is selected from oxygen, sulfur, nitrogen, --CH.sub.2 -- and --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --; and X' is selected from O, S, N and --CH.sub.2 --. Also disclosed is a method for preparing a bisbenzocyclobutene/bisimide copolymer having a Tg greater than 200.degree. C. and a Mode I fracture toughness greater than 2 MPa.multidot.m.sup.1/2.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed containing an epoxidized fatty acid ester, an aromatic amine curing agent and an acid or metal salt accelerator. The composition can optionally contain a polyglycidyl ether of a polyhydric alcohol, an unsaturated monomer and a monoepoxy diluent. The composition has long pot life at room temperature and good flexibility and elongation.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a cyclobutenoarene such as benzocyclobutene from a mixed reaction product is disclosed. The mixed reaction product is contacted with an aqueous acid solution so as to convert impurities to species such as oligomers and water addition products which have sufficiently reduced volatility that they can be separated from cyclobutenoarene by distillation. The cyclobutenoarene is then recovered from the organic phase.

Abstract: A process is described for purification of a reaction product mixture of cyclobuteno-4-haloarene containing aliphatic halide impurities. The product mixture is contacted with a tertiary amine under conditions effective for conversion of aliphatic halides to soluble species which can be removed from the mixture by extraction. The process can be used, for example, in the recovery of 4-bromobenzocyclobutene from a reaction product mixture containing aliphatic halide by-products such as 1-bromo-2-(2-bromoethyl)benzene.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a bisbenzocyclobutene, a bismide and a free radical inhibitor. The free radical inhibitor is preferably phenothiazine. The presence of the free radical inhibitor enhances the toughness and high-temperature viscosity stability of bisbenzocyclobutene/bismaleimide copolymers.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of cyclobutenohaloarenes is described in which a cyclobutenoarene such as benzocyclobutene is reacted with a halogen in the organic phase of a two-phase organic/aqueous system to form a cyclobutenohaloarene and hydrogen halide, the latter which migrates into the aqueous phase. The process has the advantages of low acidity of the reaction phase, and the consequent reduced side halogenation product formation and necessity for the introduction of caustic in the recovery step, and relatively simple recovery of the cyclobutenohaloarene from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising the reaction product of a brominated phenhol and epichlorohydrin having a bromine content of at least about 30 percent and a weight per epoxide within the range of about 450 to about 800, an optional non-brominated epoxy resin, a curing agent for the epoxy resins, and a reactive diluent. The use of the defined brominated epoxy resin enables the preparation of a flame-retardant epoxy laminating system which has improved stability against crystallization with storage.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an epoxy resin, a cationic curing agent for the epoxy resin and a polyalkylene glycol present in the composition in an amount effective to increase the cure rate reproducibility of the curing agent.

Abstract: A composition comprising an epoxy resin and an aromatic azopolyamine curing agent is described. The use of azopolyamine curing agents in reactive monomer-diluted systems results in a high-modulus cured epoxy system.

Abstract: According to the invention, a relatively low molecular weight epoxy resin is reacted with a hydroxyl group-containing compound in the presence of a bis(trihydrocarbyl phosphine)iminium salt catalyst to produce a high molecular weight fusion reaction product. The process is particularly useful in reacting an epoxy resin having a molecular weight of less than about 500 with bisphenol-A in the presence of a bis(phosphine)iminium halide to produce a fusion reaction product having a molecular weight within the range of about 500 to 7000. The catalyst is relatively water-insensitive, and the reaction can therefore be carried out in the presence of water.

Abstract: An epoxy resin composition containing a cationic curing agent and a cure-retarding amount of a diarylamine. The diarylamine lengthens the pot life of the epoxy-curing agent composition.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an epoxy resin, a curing agent for the epoxy resin, and a halogenated aromatic vinyl monomer. The composition exhibits sufficiently low viscosity to be suitable for fiber-reinforced composites applications, high Tg and flame retardancy.

Abstract: A composition is provided comprising an epoxy resin, a cationic curing agent for the epoxy resin and a surfactant. The surfactant improves the reproducibility of cure rates of the cationic curing agent, particularly when the cationic curing agent is used in the form of an aqueous solution.