Abstract: The invention relates to branched polymer comprising a support moiety and at least three homopolymer chains each covalently coupled to and extending from the support moiety, wherein the at least three homopolymer chains include a cationic homopolymer chain, a hydrophilic homopolymer chain, and a hydrophobic homopolymer chain.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a complex comprising a cationic block copolymer and a nucleic acid, the cationic block copolymer having at least a tri-block structure comprising a cationic block and two hydrophilic blocks, or a hydrophilic block and two cationic blocks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula (I) into derived polymers in which the —S—(C?S)— group is transformed. The process includes contacting the starting polymer containing groups Yb with one or more reagents containing groups Xa to produce the derived polymer and a byproduct containing the groups Yb, wherein the groups Xa is one or more reactive groups and the groups Yb is an extracting group and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as high refractive index spectacle lenses.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula —S—(C?S)— into derived polymers having thiol end groups of the formula —SH. The process includes contacting the aforedescribed starting polymers, with a reagent having the formula Xa Yb, wherein Xa is a nucleophilic group and Yb is an extracting group that results in the starting polymer and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from any odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as contact lenses.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for removing certain sulfur-containing groups from polymers, especially those made via RAFT polymerization processes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the cleavage of one or more starting polymers having thiocarbonylthio groups of the formula (I) into derived polymers in which the —S—(C?S)— group is transformed. The process includes contacting the starting polymer containing groups Yb with one or more reagents containing groups Xa to produce the derived polymer and a byproduct containing the groups Yb, wherein the groups Xa is one or more reactive groups and the groups Yb is an extracting group and a byproduct, which is then separated from the derived polymer by conventional separation processes. The derived polymer is free from odor or color that is sometimes associated with the starting polymer and it can be used in making optical lenses, such as high refractive index spectacle lenses.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2=CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q am as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2=CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q am as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z?, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for removing certain sulfur-containing groups from polymers, especially those made via RAFT polymerization processes.

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2?CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers; in the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator; the process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator; the ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: This invention concerns a free radical polymerization process, selected chain transfer agents employed in the process and polymers made thereby, in which the process comprises preparing polymer of general Formula (A) and Formula (B) comprising contacting: (i) a monomer selected from the group consisting of vinyl monomers (of structure CH2═CUV), maleic anhydride, N-alkylmaleimide, N-arylmaleimide, dialkyl fumarate and cyclopolymerizable monomers; (ii) a thiocarbonylthio compound selected from Formula (C) and Formula (D) having a chain transfer constant greater than about 0.1; and (iii) free radicals produced from a free radical source; the polymer of Formula (A) being made by contacting (i), (ii) C and (iii) and that of Formula (B) by contacting (i), (ii) D, and (iii); and (iv) controlling the polydispersity of the polymer being formed by varying the ratio of the number of molecules of (ii) to the number of molecules of (iii); wherein Q, R, U, V, Z, Z′, m, p and q are as defined in the text.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizingpolymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low pollydispersity and predictable specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizingpolymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictable specific polymer architecture amd molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming star shaped microgels which include a core of crosslinked polymer and multiplicity of substantially linear polymeric arms of macromonomers attached to the core. The process includes polymerizing monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of a chain transfer agent to form macromonomers each having a terminal polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated group and then polymerizing, in presence of the macromonomers, the monoethylenically unsaturated monomers and multi-olefinic crosslinking monomers. The microgels of the present invention can be used as rheology control agents in waterborne and solvent-borne coatings and in adhesives and cosmetics.

Abstract: A process for preparing microgel(s) that uses a wide range of activatable prepolymers. In the process, a polymer composition of crosslinked component A and soluble components B and C is formed from mono-olefinic and multi-olefinic monomers in the presence of catalyst and initiator. The process comprises: I) introducing mono-olefinic monomer, catalyst, and initiator into a reactor in the absence of multi-olefinic monomer and producing an activatable prepolymer, component B; II) contacting the product of I) with multi-olefinic monomer to produce components A and C, optionally in the presence of additional initiator; also optionally in the presence of additional mono-olefinic monomer and initiator. The ratio of components A/(B+C) can be controlled by varying the mole ratio of The Component B/multi-olefinic monomer from 0.05/1 up to 5/1, by decreasing the mole ratio to increase the ratio of A/(B+C), and increasing the mole ratio to decrease the ratio of A/(B+C).

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process suitable for synthesizing polymers is disclosed. The process utilizes novel sulfur based chain transfer agents and is widely compatible over a range of monomers and reaction conditions. Novel polymers having low polydispersity and predictably specific polymer architecture and molecular weight are produced by the process. The polymers produced by the process are suitable for use as binders in automotive OEM and refinish coatings.