Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polymer-tethered ligands, metal complexes comprising these ligands, and the use of these complexes as chain transfer catalysts to control the molecular weight of oligomeric and polymeric materials produced in a radical polymerization process. The materials made by the processes disclosed herein have significantly reduced color, making them suitable for a wide range of color-critical end-uses, including automotive coatings.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrocyanation, comprising: contacting 2-pentenenitrile with hydrogen cyanide at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 150° C. in the presence of at least one Lewis acid promoter and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphite ligand selected from a member of the group represented by Formula I and Formula II, in which all like reference characters have the same meaning, except as further explicitly limited: wherein R1 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1 to C5 hydrocarbyl; and R2, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1 to C4 hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel polymer-tethered ligands, metal complexes comprising these ligands, and the use of these complexes as chain transfer catalysts to control the molecular weight of oligomeric and polymeric materials produced in a radical polymerization process. The materials made by the processes disclosed herein have significantly reduced color, making them suitable for a wide range of color-critical end-uses, including automotive coatings.

Abstract: Mixtures or adducts of N-heterocyclic carbenes with metal amides or metal alkoxides are effective catalysts for the polymerization of cyclic amides. The catalysts are stable at polymerization temperatures, and the polymerization is rapid, resulting in high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: N-heterocyclic carbenes are effective catalysts for the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts provide rapid polymerization, high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: A mobile handset call testing system and method. Mobile wireless handsets are tested under the control of a controller. The controller causes an autodialler to dial a call request on a transmitting handset. The call request is received by a wireless network and communicated to a receiving handset. RF sensors at the transmitting and receiving handsets provide the controller with signals indicative of the RF transmissions emanating from the handsets. The controller determines whether the outgoing call request and/or the incoming call request are successful based upon the detected RF transmissions.

Abstract: Metal amide and metal alkoxide species have been found to catalyze the ring opening polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts provide rapid polymerization, high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: N-heterocyclic carbenes are effective catalysts for the ring opening polymerization of cyclic amides. The catalysts provide rapid polymerization, high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: Hydrolytic enzymes capable of catalyzing amidation reactions can be used to produce cyclic amide oligomers from diesters and diamines. The cyclic amide oligomers are useful for the production of higher molecular weight polyamides.

Abstract: Mixtures or adducts of N-heterocyclic carbenes with metal amides or metal alkoxides are effective catalysts for the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts are stable at polymerization temperatures, and the polymerization is rapid, resulting in high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for hydrocyanation, comprising: contacting 2-pentenenitrile with hydrogen cyamide at a temperature in the range of about 0° C. to about 150° C. in the presence of at least one Lewis acid promoter and a catalyst precursor composition, wherein the catalyst precursor composition comprises a zero-valent nickel and at least one bidentate phosphite ligand selected from a member of the group represented by Formula I and Formula II, in which all like reference characters have the same meaning, except as further explicitly limited: wherein R1 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of C1 to C5 hydrocarbyl; and R2, R3, R4, R6, R7 and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1 to C4 hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: This invention relates to the preparation of polyamide block copolymers by sequential monomer addition. More particularly, it relates to catalysts capable of copolymerizing not only cyclic amides, but other monomers such as cyclic esters and epoxides as well, using sequential addition so as to produce useful and novel block copolymers.

Abstract: N-heterocyclic carbenes are effective catalysts for the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts provide rapid polymerization, high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: A mobile handset call testing system and method. Mobile wireless handsets are tested under the control of a controller. The controller causes an autodialler to dial a call request on a transmitting handset. The call request is received by a wireless network and communicated to a receiving handset. RF sensors at the transmitting and receiving handsets provide the controller with signals indicative of the RF transmissions emanating from the handsets. The controller determines whether the outgoing call request and/or the incoming call request are successful based upon the detected RF transmissions.

Abstract: A unified architecture for a multipoint VC session and interactive broadcasting system is provided that includes a server, one or more video accessing points, reflectors and client machines. The server sets up the video communication sessions (VC sessions), each of which is hosted by one video accessing point. The server downloads the A/V client software to client machines. Reflectors direct audio/visual signals to client machines. The reflectors are coupled to the video accessing point and receive a control signal from the video accessing point in order to direct the A/V signals from the client machines participating in the VC session. The client machines process all of the A/V signals. This system for distributing the VC session tasks across these components reduces any bottleneck effect from using a single, central control point to direct the VC session and route the A/V signals.

Abstract: Hydrolytic enzymes capable of catalyzing amidation reactions can be used to produce cyclic amide oligomers from diesters and diamines. The cyclic amide oligomers are useful for the production of higher molecular weight polyamides.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyester oligomers can be manufactured in relatively high yields by contacting, a solution of a low oligomer of an organic diester and a diol, with an N-heterocyclic carbene-containing catalyst.

Abstract: Metal amide and metal alkoxide species have been found to catalyze the ring opening polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers. The catalysts provide rapid polymerization, high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.

Abstract: Metal amide species have been found to catalyze the ring opening polymerization of cyclic amides. The reactions do not require high vacuum or a highly reactive activating species and can be carried out at high temperatures.

Abstract: Mixtures or adducts of N-heterocyclic carbenes with metal amides or metal alkoxides are effective catalysts for the polymerization of cyclic amides. The catalysts are stable at polymerization temperatures, and the polymerization is rapid, resulting in high monomer conversion, high molecular weight, and a mechanically sound material.