Abstract: The present invention relates to a synthetic method comprising contacting at least one diaryl carbonate with one or more dihydroxy aromatic compounds in the presence of a transesterification catalyst under melt polymerization conditions to afford a product polycarbonate. The transesterifcation catalysts used according to the method of the present invention are alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts of organic polyacids in combination with tetraalkyl ammonium or tetraalkyl phosphonium compounds which serve as co-catalysts. The transesterification catalysts are derived from polyacids containing both CO2H groups and SO3H groups and from polyacids containing exclusively CO2H groups or exclusively SO3H groups. The catalysts employed according to the method of the present invention provide polycarbonates having reduced levels of Fries rearrangement product relative to conventionally employed catalysts such as sodium hydroxide.

Abstract: Rapid, sensitive detection of analytes in small-scale samples is achieved with an analytical method in which samples are adsorbed on a sorbent material and probed spectroscopically. The method is suitable for monitoring the progress of reactions in combinatorial screening experiments.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for conducting and evaluating chemical reactions within the confines of a sealed experimental system. The invention allows for quantitative and qualitative analyses of contained reactions combinatorially or in a parallel array, with total conservation of mass throughout the reaction process. The analytical studies thus performed may be qualitative and/or quantitative, and may be obtained in real time during and/or following the reactive process.

Abstract: In a rapid and non-invasive method for characterizing aromatic polycarbonates, fluorescence intensities are determined at least two wavelength ranges and used to calculate a compositional or physical property of the sample. The method is suitable for determining the relative amounts of linear and branched polycarbonates, and it is fast enough to monitor the progress of polymerization reactions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of a branched polycarbonate composition, having increased melt strength, by late addition of branch-inducing catalysts to the polycarbonate oligomer in a melt polycondensation process. Surprisingly, it has been found that by adding branch-inducing catalysts, such as alkali metal compounds and/ or alkaline earth metal compounds, to the melt polycarbonate oligomer at a later stage of the melt polycondensation process, preferably after the oligomer has reached an average molecular weight of between about 3,000 and 30,000 g/mole, a unique branched polycarbonate composition is formed that has improved properties. It is believed that the addition of the branch-inducing catalysts at the later stages of the process produces a branched polycarbonate composition having longer chains between the branching points, and thus a new composition is produced. The invention also relates to various applications of the branched polycarbonate composition.

Abstract: A method of making and screening an array of catalysts, said method comprising: (a) combining a first polymerization precursor material, a second polymerization precursor material and a first catalyst in a first region on a substrate; (b) combining a first polymerization precursor material, a second polymerization precursor material and a second catalyst in a second region on a substrate; (c) reacting the first and second polymerization material in said first and second regions; and (d) screening said first and second regions of said substrate for a measurable property or properties.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts which are derivatized pyridyl triazinyl pyridyl macromolecules with the general formula Ax+y[(Triazinyl-Pyridyl)By−x], where A is certain alkali metals, B contains a charge balancing sulfonate, carboxylate, or phosphonate group. We have found that this new class of catalysts provide excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts of the formula Cs+An−, wherein An− represents anions such as CH3SO3−, NH2SO3−, C2H2O4−, BF4−, B(C6H5CH3)4−, and CH3C6H4SO3−. We have found that this new class of catalysts provides excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid parallel determination of non-volatile analytes in multiple samples is provided. The method utilizes analyte-enhanced fluorescence of a solvatochromic dye, and thus is not dependent on fluorescence of the analyte itself. An evaporation step removes volatile sample components that might otherwise interfere with analyte determination. The method is sensitive to a wide range of analyte concentrations and robust to variations in sample volume.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts of the formula Ax+MF6−x, wherein A is an alkali metal or alkaline earth cation; M is a transition metal of group IVA or VA, or M is a p-block metal of group IIIB, IVB or VB; and x is 1, 2, or 3. We have found that this new class of catalysts provide excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts which are compounds or complexes of Ruthenium (II) and (III). Preferred catalysts are compounds of the formula [Ru(aryl)3]2+2X−, where X is a counterion. We have found that this new class of catalysts provides excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of providing an array of reaction vessels and providing a plurality of homogenous reaction mixtures within the reaction vessels. Each mixture comprises monomers at least partially embodied in a liquid and is provided in an amount sufficient to form a film having a thickness sufficient to allow the reaction rate of the polymerization reaction to be essentially independent of mass transport. Polymerization then takes place in the presence of a catalyst at reaction conditions effective in substantially maintaining the homogeneity of the reaction mixture. In this manner, polymerization can take place quickly and efficiently without stirring the reactants. The method is highly useful for testing reactants, catalysts, and associated reaction parameters.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts which are salts of certain phenanthroline compounds. We have found that this new class of catalysts provide excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing polycarbonates, which utilizes polycondensation catalysts which are salts of macrocyclic polypyrroles with the general formula Ax+y[(Porphine−Tm)By−x] or Ax+y[(Phthalocyanine−Tm)By−x], where A is certain alkali metals, B contains a charge balancing sulfonate, carboxylate, or phosphonate group and Tm is a transition metal are useful as polycarbonate melt polymerization catalysts. We have found that this new class of catalysts provide excellent polymerization rates for the preparation of Bisphenol A polycarbonate from the melt polymerization of diphenyl carbonate and Bisphenol A. Moreover, the catalysts of the invention were found to be very selective in substantially reducing the level of branching side reaction, i.e., formation of Fries product, normally associated with the melt polycarbonate process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directly determining the concentration of a target species, such as Fries product, in a composition comprising aromatic carbonate chain units. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes the steps of irradiating a portion of the composition with electromagnetic radiation at an excitation wavelength sufficient to cause the target species to emit a fluorescence spectrum; detecting at least a portion of the fluorescence spectrum; and determining the concentration of the target species from the fluorescence spectrum. In addition to detecting Fries product in formed polycarbonate materials, the method can also be utilized to directly determine the concentration of a target species in parallel polycarbonate reactor systems.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source, an optical analyzer, and a fiber optic bundle. The fiber optic bundle has an excitation fiber in optical communication with the electromagnetic radiation source and a plurality of emission fibers in optical communication with the optical analyzer. The optical analyzer can have multiple channels, including a fluorescence-emission channel in optical communication with the emission fibers. Optionally, the fiber optic bundle can further contain at least one reflection fiber in optical communication with an absorbance/reflectance channel. In addition to detecting Fries product in formed polycarbonate materials, the method and apparatus can also be utilized to directly determine the concentration of a target species in parallel polycarbonate reactor systems.

Abstract: A Custom Construction System consisting of a novel structural member in combination with as required, spreader members and equalizer members which are assembled together by various nuts, bolts and other hardware to produce various pieces of furniture and other home improvement projects. The basic structural member consists of a rectangular shaped member having rounded edges and a plurality of bores passing through both its wider and narrower surfaces. The basic structural member and the spreader members can be constructed utilizing a template. The template consists of piece of material having two flanges at approximately a 90.degree. angle with respect to each other. One of the flanges has a rounded end. Both flanges have bores located on their surfaces which are used for marking the location of the bores on workpieces to be converted into structural members and spreader members.

Abstract: Poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly[oxymethylene-oligo(oxyethylene)](PEM) disks are cross-linked by exposure to UV radiation. The rate of formation of cross-links is greatly enhanced by the presence of benzophenone, and an average cross-link density of up to 6 mol% of ethoxy units can be obtained after irradiation. The highly cross-linked polymers are insoluble in water or organic solvents and show improved physical properties for handling and the formation of free-standing films. Dynamic modulus measurements and polymer swelling are employed to characterize the polymers. Dynamic modulus measurements show that, upon irradiation, PEO and PEM become cross-linked elastomeric solids.