Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic polyurethane includes reacting specific amounts of a hydrogenated polydiene diol, a poly(alkylene oxide) diol, a chain extender, and a diisocyanate in the presence of a solvent. The thermoplastic polyurethane exhibits a desirable balance of tensile strength and tensile elongation. It is useful for fabricating foams, films, fibers, fabrics, coatings, adhesives, automotive instrument panels, power tool casings, casings for mobile electronic devices, sporting goods, clothing, footwear, gloves, condoms, and medical devices, among other articles.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea, or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the soft segment includes a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine. Additionally disclosed is a method of forming a polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine with a diisocyanate to form a first reaction mixture; (b) combining a metal catalyst and a chain extender with the first reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture, a molar ratio of the metal catalyst to the diisocyanate being greater than 0.0:1 and less than or equal to 0.4:1; and (c) reacting the second reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: A method of preparing a thermoplastic polyurethane includes reacting specific amounts of a hydrogenated polydiene diol, a poly(alkylene oxide) diol, a chain extender, and a diisocyanate in the presence of a solvent. The thermoplastic polyurethane exhibits a desirable balance of tensile strength and tensile elongation. It is useful for fabricating foams, films, fibers, fabrics, coatings, adhesives, automotive instrument panels, power tool casings, casings for mobile electronic devices, sporting goods, clothing, footwear, gloves, condoms, and medical devices, among other articles.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of polybutene having an exo-olefin content of at least 50 mol. % by the polymerization of iso-butene, or a C4 feed containing iso-butene and other C4 olefins using (i) a Lewis acid.Lewis base catalyst complex and an alkyl halide initiator, in a substantially or completely apolar polymerization medium, in the presence of a hindered alcohol or alkoxyaluminum dichloride. In the above polymerization reaction, it has been found that a hindered alcohol or hindered alkoxyaluminum dichloride will function as an “exo enhancer” resulting in high isobutene conversion and the production of a polybutene product having a high terminal vinylidene content, while maintaining a target molecular weight.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, from an impurity-containing isobutylene or a mixed C4 hydrocarbyl feedstock containing isobutylene in which the water content of the feedstock is controlled to be at least equal to the content of polar impurities in the feedstock, and less than the concentration at which the water causes a decrease in vinylidene end-group selectivity.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, from an impurity-containing isobutylene or a mixed C4 hydrocarbyl feedstock containing isobutylene in which the water content of the feedstock is controlled to be at least equal to the content of polar impurities in the feedstock, and less than the concentration at which the water causes a decrease in vinylidene end-group selectivity.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea, or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the soft segment includes a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine. Additionally disclosed is a method of forming a polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine with a diisocyanate to form a first reaction mixture; (b) combining a metal catalyst and a chain extender with the first reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture, a molar ratio of the metal catalyst to the diisocyanate being greater than 0.0:1 and less than or equal to 0.4:1; and (c) reacting the second reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea, or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the soft segment includes a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine. Additionally disclosed is a method of forming a polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane, comprising the steps of (a) reacting a polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine with a diisocyanate to form a first reaction mixture; (b) combining a metal catalyst and a chain extender with the first reaction mixture to create a second reaction mixture, a molar ratio of the metal catalyst to the diisocyanate being greater than 0.0:1 and less than or equal to 0.4:1; and (c) reacting the second reaction mixture for a period of time sufficient to form the polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic urethane.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing the same includes contacting isobutene or an isobutene-containing monomer mixture, wherein a Lewis acid catalyst is complexed with an oxygen and/or sulfur-containing Lewis base, in an apolar solvent, and wherein an initiator is employed to initiate polymerization of the isobutene or isobutene-containing monomer mixture.

Abstract: A method of alkylating or acylating an arene includes reacting the arene with an organic halide in the presence of an aprotic solvent and a catalyst of formula (I) MR1mXn.Z(R2)(R3)??(I) wherein M is Al, Ga, or Fe; R1 is C1-C12 alkyl; m is 0 or 1; R2 and R3 are each independently unsubstituted or substituted C2-C12 alkyl; each occurrence of X is independently a halogen; n is 2 or 3; the sum of m and n is 3; and Z is S or O. When M is Al, then m is 1, n is 2, and R2 and R3 are each independently substituted with at least one electron-withdrawing group. When M is Ga or Fe, then m is 0 and n is 3.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to copolymers having one or more polyisobutylene segments and one or more biodegradable polymer segments, to methods of making such copolymers, to medical articles that contain such copolymers, and to methods of making such medical articles. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise a plurality of polyisobutylene segments and a plurality of biodegradable polymer segments. According to certain aspects of the invention, copolymers are provided, which comprise urethane linkages, urea linkages, amide linkages, ester linkages, anhydride linkages, carbonate linkages, linkages commonly described as “click” chemistry linkages, and combinations of two or more types of such linkages.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.

Abstract: A method of alkylating or acylating an arene includes reacting the arene with an organic halide in the presence of an aprotic solvent and a catalyst of formula (I) MR1mXn.Z(R2)(R3)??(I) wherein M is Al, Ga, or Fe; R1 is C1-C12 alkyl; m is 0 or 1; R2 and R3 are each independently unsubstituted or substituted C2-C12 alkyl; each occurrence of X is independently a halogen; n is 2 or 3; the sum of m and n is 3; and Z is S or O. When M is Al, then m is 1, n is 2, and R2 and R3 are each independently substituted with at least one electron-withdrawing group. When M is Ga or Fe, then m is 0 and n is 3.

Abstract: A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

Abstract: A polyolefin is functionalized with two, three, or more terminal coumarin groups. When irradiated with longer wavelength ultraviolet light (e.g., 365 nanometers), the coumarin groups cyclodimerize to form a chain-extended or crosslinked polyolefin. The cyclodimerization can be reversed by irradiation with shorter wavelength ultraviolet light (e.g., 254 nanometers). When the crosslinked polyolefin is used to form a barrier layer in a light emitting diode or a photovoltaic device, scratches in the barrier layer cleave the cyclodimer groups and can be “healed” by irradiation to reduce or remove the scratches.