Abstract: An aqueous dispersion with a pH of from 2 to 7, comprising (A) at least one swellable polymer or oligomer containing anionic and/or potentially anionic functional groups, (B) surface-modified, cationically stabilized, inorganic nanoparticles of at least one kind, (C) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amphiphiles and organic compounds which are capable of forming chelate ligands, and (D) at least one crosslinking agent; method for its production and its use for producing highly scratch-resistant coatings, moldings, and self-supporting films.

Abstract: Silanes of the formula: [(ZmRnSi—R1o—)pR2q—Y—C(X)—Y—]rG[—Y—(X)C—Y—R3]s??(I), in which m+n=3; m=1, 2 or 3; n=0, 1 or 2; o=0 or 1, and q=1 if o=0; p=1, 2, 3 or 4; q=0 or 1, and p=1 if q=0; r, s=1, 2 or 3; and Z is a hydrolyzable atom or group; R is a nonhydrolyzable group without an epoxide group; R1 is a divalent group; R2 is a (p+1)-valent group; R3 is a nonhydrolyzable, epoxy-containing group; X is an oxygen atom and/or sulfur atom; G is an (r+s)-valent cyclic group; Y is an oxygen atom, sulfur atom or imino group >NR4 where R4=hydrogen atom, group R, group (ZmRnSi—R1o—)pR2q—, group R3—, group (ZmRnSi—R1o—)pR2q—NH—C(X)— or group R3—NH—C(X)—; processes for their preparation, and their use.

Abstract: Autocatalyzed, thermally curable compositions free from external catalysts and comprising condensates of silanes which contain at least one of hydrolyzable atoms and hydrolyzable groups and processes for preparing them, and their use for producing thermally cured compositions.

Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles whose surface is covered completely or near-completely with (A) modifying groups which are attached covalently to the surface via linking functional groups (a) and contain inert spacer groups (b) and contain reactive functional groups (c) which are connected via the groups (b) to the groups (a) and are inert toward the reactive functional groups of the surface to be modified, (B) modifying groups which are attached covalently to the surface via linking functional groups (a) and contain inert groups (d) having a smaller hydrodynamic volume VH than the inert spacer groups (Ab), and (C) modifying groups which are attached to the surface via linking functional groups (a) which contain at least one silicon atom, contain inert groups (e), and have a smaller hydrodynamic volume VH than the modifying groups (A); dispersions comprising the nanoparticles, processes for preparing them, and their use.