Abstract: We disclose a composition containing a polyester comprising about 1 mole part diol units and from about 0.98 mole parts fumaric acid units to about 1.01 mole parts fumaric acid units. In one embodiment, the diol units are 1,3-propanediol units or 1,2-propanediol units. In one embodiment, the polyester is blended with polylactide. In another embodiment, the composition is in a form selected from the group consisting of a plate, a tray, a bowl, a cup, a bowl lid, a cup lid, a fork, a spoon, a knife, a jewel case, and a packaging article. We also disclose a method of manufacturing the composition. The method includes combining about 1 mole part diol, from about 0.98 mole parts fumaric acid to about 1.01 mole parts fumaric acid, and from about 0.0002 mole parts to about 0.0020 mole parts of a polyesterfication catalyst, to yield a combination of diol and fumaric acid; maintaining the combination of diol and fumaric acid under an inert atmosphere at a temperature from about 130° C. to about 190° C.

Abstract: Thermoplastic polycarbonate-ABS resin is rendered flame retardant by blending with the resin an O,O-diaryl-N-arylphosphoramidate, an arylene-N,N′-bis(O,O-diarylphosphoramidate) in which the nitrogen atoms are in the 1,3 or 1,4 positions on an arylene ring, or an N,N′-piperazinediylbis(O,O-diarylphosphoramidate). These flame retardants are halogen-free. They provide molded objects having high heat distortion temperatures, and high softening temperatures. Flame retardants of these types have been found to be thermally stable at temperatures of at least 260° C., and they did not discolor the polymer composition during exposure to molding temperatures.

Abstract: In an aqueous reaction medium, phenol is brominated with bromine under conditions forming an aqueous hydrobromic acid phase and an organic phase consisting essentially of molten 2,4,6-tribromophenol. The aqueous hydrobromic acid phase and the molten 2,4,6-tribromophenol are separated from each other, and optionally the molten 2,4,6-tribromophenol is washed with an aqueous decolorizing solution. An alkali metal base and water are mixed with the 2,4,6-tribromophenol to form an alkali metal salt of tribromophenol. Then, in a mixture consisting essentially of water and at least one liquid ketone, cyanuric chloride is reacted with at least a portion of the alkali metal 2,4,6-tribromophenolate of such that tris(2,4,6-tribromophenoxy)-s-1,3,5-triazine is produced.

Abstract: The semicrystalline polyimide prepared by reaction of 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA) and 1,3-bis(4-aminophenoxy-4'-benzoyl)benzene (1,3-BABB) is modified so that it can be more readily processed to form adhesive bonds, moldings and composites. The stoichiometric ratio of the two monomers, BTDA and 1,3-BABB is controlled so that the intermediate polyamide acid is of a calculated molecular weight. A polyamide acid with excess anhydride groups is then reacted with the stoichiometrically required amount of monofunctional aromatic or aliphatic amine required for complete endcapping. A polyamide acid with excess amino groups is reacted with the stoichiometrically required amount of monofunctional aromatic anhydride required for complete endcapping. The stoichiometrically offset, endcapped polyimide is processed at lower temperatures and pressures than the unmodified high molecular weight polyimide with the same repeat unit, and exhibits an improved melt stability.

Abstract: Substituted benzophenones are disclosed having the following formula ##STR1## where R.sub.A and R.sub.B are each independently COOH, C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 linear or branched alkyl or taken together to form an anhydride ring, R is nitro or amino unsubstituted or substituted with at least one C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, the substituents being one or more C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 linear or branched alkyl or C.sub.6 to C.sub.10 aryl, Y and Y' are the same or different and are a chemical bond ##STR2## and m is 0 or 1 with the proviso that both R.sub.A and R.sub.B can not be hydrogen.Processes to produce these benzophenones are also disclosed.

Abstract: Benzophenone-type polyimides having repeating groups of the formula ##STR1## where Y and Y' are the same or different and are a chemical bond, --O--, --S--, ##STR2## --CH.sub.2 --, --C(CH.sub.3).sub.2 --, --CF.sub.2, --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 -- or --Si(CH.sub.3).sub.