Abstract: The method is described herein for forming a polymer, comprising providing a first monomer comprising a polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups; providing a second monomer comprising a polyalkyl ester of a polycarboxylic acid having at least two alkyl ester groups; mixing the first monomer and the second monomer to form a reaction mixture; and reacting the first monomer and the second monomer in the mixture by transesterification to form a polyester polymer, which may, if desired be crosslinked. The polymers may also be copolymerized with other monomers. Polymers and copolymers formed from the method herein, as well as articles formed therefrom are also described. Such polymers and articles may be biocompatible and/or bioresorbable.

Abstract: A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon.

Abstract: A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon.

Abstract: The method is described herein for forming a polymer, comprising providing a first monomer comprising a polyol having at least two hydroxyl groups; providing a second monomer comprising a polyalkyl ester of a polycarboxylic acid having at least two alkyl ester groups; mixing the first monomer and the second monomer to form a reaction mixture; and reacting the first monomer and the second monomer in the mixture by transesterification to form a polyester polymer, which may, if desired be crosslinked. The polymers may also be copolymerized with other monomers. Polymers and copolymers formed from the method herein, as well as articles formed therefrom are also described. Such polymers and articles may be biocompatible and/or bioresorbable.

Abstract: Articles for increasing lubrication of a joint are described herein. The articles include resorbable, biocompatible particles which may include at least one polymer and are capable of increasing fluid movement within the joint compared to synovial fluid, viscosupplemental fluid, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the at least one polymer has a glass transition temperature within a joint of less than about 37° C. A composition for increasing lubrication of a joint is also disclosed. The composition includes the resorbable, biocompatible particles and a carrier fluid. Methods of lubricating a joint and treating disease affecting the joint such as osteoarthritis are also described herein. The methods include introducing the resorbable, biocompatible particles into a joint.

Abstract: A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon.

Abstract: A method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer for use in making oligomers and polymers that can be used to improve surface properties of polymer-derived systems, such as coatings. The method of making a functionalized fluorinated monomer includes reacting at least one fluorinated nucleophilic reactant, such as a fluorinated alcohol, with at least one compound containing at least one epoxide group. Other methods include reaction of a fluorinated alcohol with a cyclic carboxylic anhydride. In another embodiment, a method includes reacting a fluorinated mesylate, tosylate or triflate with an amine, alkoxide or phenoxide. In other embodiments, the method includes reacting a fluorinated alcohol with an alkyl halide, or reacting a fluorinated alkyl halide with an amine. The functionalized fluorinated monomers may be used as intermediates and reacted to modify the functional groups thereon.

Abstract: A multi-layer composition comprises (a) a first layer comprising semi-crystalline copolymer comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic hydrogen-containing olefin monomer (e.g., propylene), wherein less than 10% of the total heat of fusion is attributable to a secondary melt-transition above 300.degree. C. as shown by the heating curve from Differential Scanning Calorimetry; and (b) a second layer comprising melt-processable polymer (e.g., polyethylene) which is both substantially thermally stable and capable of being melt-processed at temperatures below the decomposition temperature of the semi-crystalline copolymer. The multi-layer composition can be used to form shaped articles (e.g., films, sheets, tubing, coated wires, cable jacketing, or bottles) for use in a variety of applications.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing fluorine-containing ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin monomer is provided. The method involves the use of fluoroaliphatic-group containing sulfinate. Novel polymers are also disclosed, comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin, for example, propylene.

Abstract: Briefly, in one aspect, this invention provides a melt-processable composition comprising, in admixture: (1) one or more melt-processable thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymers as the major component of the composition by weight, and, as a minor component of the composition by weight, (2) an effective amount of a chemically-resistant, fluoropolymer process aid to improve the processability of the composition and (3) one or more poly(oxyalkylene) polymers.

Abstract: This invention provides a melt-processable composition comprising, in admixture: (1) one or more melt-processable thermoplastic hydrocarbon polymers as the major component of the composition by weight, and, as a minor component of the composition by weight, (2) an effective amount of a chemically-resistant, fluoropolymer process aid to improve the processability of the composition. The fluoropolymer process aid contains at least about 50 weight percent of fluorine and comprises one or more fluoropolymers which are essentially completely ethylenically saturated.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing fluorine-containing ethylenically-unsaturated monomer and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin monomer is provided. The method involves the use of fluoroaliphatic-group containing sulfinate. Novel polymers are also disclosed, comprising interpolymerized units derived from tetrafluoroethylene and allylic-hydrogen containing olefin, for example, propylene.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of cobaloximes and related cobalt(II) complexes which have essentially planar equatorially coordinated ligands and a pair of axially coordinated ligands which have at least one carbon-cobalt bond, as photoinitiators for free radical polymerizations. By selection of the appropriate cobaloximes and related complexes, it is possible to prepare polymers which have useful terminal functionality at both the head and the tail ends of the growing polymer chain. The process also teaches the photochemical polymerization and copolymerizations whereby the alkyl cobaloximes and related compounds, which are used as the photoinitiators, have alkyl groups, which may in essence, be polymers with carbon-cobalt chain ends, thereby allowing grafting reactions to occur to the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A method for producing a water-swellable, water-insoluble carboxyalkyl starch. The steps of the method involving forming an aqueous dispersion of starch; adding to said aqueous dispersion carboxyalkylating reactants under conditions sufficient to form a water-soluble carboxyalkyl starch having an average degree of substitution between about 0.25 and 1.5; and recovering the carboxyalkyl starch by evaporative drying at a temperature within the range of from about 50.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C.