Abstract: Provided is a low-cost, environmentally friendly living radical polymerization catalyst having high activity. The catalyst is used for a living radical polymerization method, and contains a central element consisting of oxygen and at least one halogen atom bound to the central element. Furthermore, an alcohol compound can be used as a catalyst precursor. By polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the catalyst, a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained, and the cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. The present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages of the catalyst such as low toxicity of the catalyst, low amount of the catalyst necessary, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, and no coloration/no odor (which do not require a post-treatment for a molded article), and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a resin-treated pigment characterized in that the resin-treated pigment comprises a pigment and a polymer of an unsaturated bond-containing monomer, a weight ratio of the pigment to the polymer (pigment:polymer) is from 50 to 95 to from 5 to 50, and the polymer is a block copolymer comprising from 5 to 70 mass % of an addition-polymerizable monomer having a UV-absorbing group; a production process of the resin-treated pigment; and a pigment dispersion using the resin-treated pigment.

Abstract: Disclosed are an alkoxysilyl-containing A-B block copolymer formed from (meth)acrylate monomers as constituent monomers, characterized in that a polymer block of A chain has a number average molecular weight (Mn) of from 1,000 to 50,000 and a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) of not greater than 1.6, a polymer block of B chain comprises alkoxysilyl-containing (meth)acrylate units as constituent monomer units, and the A-B block copolymer as a whole has a molecular weight distribution of not greater than 1.6, a process for the production of the block copolymer, a resin-treated pigment, and a pigment dispersion.

Abstract: The invention provides n electrochemical device containing a negative electrode having a negative electrode material layer at least on a surface; a positive electrode having a positive electrode material layer at least on a surface; and a solid polymer electrolyte of fine composite particles disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode. Each of the fine composite particles comprises a polymer brush layer of polymer graft chains. The fine composite particles form a substantially three-dimensional ordered array structure, and a continuous ion-conductive network channel is formed in each gap of the fine particles. The negative or positive electrode or electrode material layer have gaps filled with the fine composite particles.

Abstract: Provided is a low-cost, highly active, environmentally friendly living radical polymerization catalyst which does not require a radical initiator. An organic compound having an oxidation-reduction capability is used as a catalyst. Even if a radical initiator is not used, a monomer can be subjected to a radical polymerization to obtain a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution. The cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. It is made possible to prevent adverse effects of using a radical initiator. The present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages of the catalyst such as low toxicity of the catalyst, low amount of the catalyst necessary, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, and no coloration/no odor (which do not require a post-treatment for a molded article), etc.

Abstract: Provided is a method of living radical polymerization which does not necessitate complicated and intricate synthesis of a dormant species and which is highly efficient. A halogenated derivative compound is used as a dormant species for initiating living radical polymerization. The derivative compound is obtained by halogenating an alcohol compound having a non-conjugated structure or an amine compound having a non-conjugated structure with a halogenating agent capable of halogenating an alcohol or amine. A radical produced by elimination of halogen from the halogenated derivative compound is allowed to react with the unsaturated bond of the monomer. Thus, the monomer, which has a radical-reactive unsaturated bond, is polymerized by living radical polymerization. Preferably, the halogenating agent is a compound (NIS or the like) which also has a function as a catalyst.

Abstract: Provided is a catalyst used for a living radical polymerization method, which contains a central element consisting of carbon and at least one halogen atom binding to the central element. Further, a hydrocarbon compound can be used as a catalyst precursor. A monomer having a radical-reactive unsaturated bond is subjected to a radical polymerization reaction in the presence of the catalyst, consequently a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained, and thus the cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. The present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages such as low toxicity of the catalyst, low amount of the catalyst used, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, and no coloration/no odor (no need of any post-treatments for a molded article), and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are an aqueous pigment dispersion containing at least a pigment, water, a high-molecular dispersant, and an alkali. The high-molecular dispersant is a diblock polymer having a formula (1) of A-B or a triblock polymer having a formula (2) of A-B-C. The diblock or triblock polymer is a diblock or triblock polymer obtained by polymerizing addition-polymerizable monomers with a radical generator while using an organic iodide as a polymerization initiating compound and an organic phosphorus compound, organic nitrogen compound or organic oxygen compound as a catalyst. Also disclosed are a production method and use of the aqueous pigment dispersion. With the high-molecular dispersant obtained by a simple living radical polymerization process free of the problems of conventional living radical polymerization and having a precisely-controlled molecular structure, the aqueous pigment dispersion can be obtained with the pigment dispersed in it.

Abstract: A polymer represented by Formula (7): wherein all variables are defined in the specification, including P1 which is a polymer chain obtained by polymerizing an addition-polymerizable monomer, which makes it possible to control the structure of the polymer as a molecular aggregate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pigment dispersion containing at least a pigment, a liquid medium and a high-molecular dispersant. The high-molecular dispersant is a block polymer represented by A-B or A-B-C, in which A, B and C each represent a polymer block and the A and C blocks may be the same or different. The block polymer and its production process are also disclosed. The high-molecular dispersant is free of problems of a smell, coloration, a heavy metal and cost, and its use can provide a pigment dispersion excellent in the dispersion stability of a pigment.

Abstract: Provided is a low-cost, environmentally friendly living radical polymerization catalyst having high activity. The catalyst is used for a living radical polymerization method, and contains a central element consisting of oxygen and at least one halogen atom bound to the central element. Furthermore, an alcohol compound can be used as a catalyst precursor. By polymerizing a monomer in the presence of the catalyst, a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution can be obtained, and the cost of the living radical polymerization can be remarkably reduced. The present invention is significantly more environmentally friendly and economically excellent than conventional living radical polymerization methods, due to advantages of the catalyst such as low toxicity of the catalyst, low amount of the catalyst necessary, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, and no coloration/no odor (which do not require a post-treatment for a molded article), and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed are a production process of a dye polymer having a dye content of from 1 to 50 wt %, and the dye polymer and its use. The production process includes subjecting an addition-polymerizable monomer to living radical polymerization by using, as a polymerization initiator, a dye having a polymerization initiating group enabling the living radical polymerization. The dye polymer and a composition of the dye polymer and a pigment are useful as good coloring agents for various products or articles. The colored products or articles are high in transparency, and are provided with high added value. The dye polymer can also be used as a dispersant for pigments, thereby making it possible to afford pigment dispersions excellent in dispersion properties and dispersion stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon compound represented by Formula (1) and a polymer obtained by using the same, and this makes it possible not only to obtain an organic-inorganic composite material having a distinct structure but also to control the structure of the above polymer as a molecular aggregate. wherein R1 is a group independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, substituted or non-substituted aryl and substituted or non-substituted arylalkyl; in this alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O—, —CH?CH—, cycloalkylene or cycloalkenylene; in alkylene in this arylalkyl, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O— or —CH?CH—; and A1 is a group having an ?-haloester group.

Abstract: A highly active and environment-friendly catalyst for use in a living radical polymerization is provided. A catalyst for use in a living radical polymerization method is provided. The catalyst comprises a central element, which is selected from nitrogen and phosphorus, and at least one halogen atom, which is bound to the central element. A monomer having a radical reactive unsaturated bond is subjected to a radical polymerization reaction in the presence of the catalyst, thereby it is possible to obtain a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution. The present invention has the merits such as low toxicity of the catalyst, a small amount of the catalyst being required, high solubility of the catalyst in the polymerization media, mild reaction conditions, no coloration, no odor (unnecessary post-treatment of molded products). The method of the present invention is more environment-friendly and economical than other living radical polymerization methods.

Abstract: A production process for a silicon compound represented by Formula (6), characterized by reacting a compound represented by Formula (4) with a compound represented by Formula (5): wherein all of the variables are defined in the specification.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon compound represented by Formula (1) and a polymer obtained by using the same, and this makes it possible not only to obtain an organic-inorganic composite material having a distinct structure but also to control the structure of the above polymer as a molecular aggregate. wherein R1 is a group independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, substituted or non-substituted aryl and substituted or non-substituted arylalkyl; in this alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O—, —CH?CH—, cycloalkylene or cycloalkenylene; in alkylene in this arylalkyl, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O— or —CH?CH—; and A1 is a group having an ?-haloester bond.

Abstract: The present invention provides a silicon compound represented by Formula (1) and a polymer obtained by using the same, and this makes it possible not only to obtain an organic-inorganic composite material having a distinct structure but also to control the structure of the above polymer as a molecular aggregate. wherein R1 is a group independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, substituted or non-substituted aryl and substituted or non-substituted arylalkyl; in this alkyl having a carbon atom number of 1 to 40, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O—, —CH?CH—, cycloalkylene or cycloalkenylene; in alkylene in this arylalkyl, optional hydrogens may be substituted with fluorine, and optional —CH2— may be substituted with —O— or —CH?CH—; and A1 is a group having an ?-haloester bond.

Abstract: A highly active and environment-friendly catalyst for use in a living radical polymerization is provided. A catalyst for use in a living radical polymerization method is provided. The catalyst comprises a central element, which is selected from germanium, tin and antimony, and at least one halogen atom, which is bound to the central element. A monomer having a radical reactive unsaturated bond is subjected to a radical polymerization reaction under the presence of the catalyst, thereby it is possible to obtain a polymer having narrow molecular weight distribution. The present invention has the merits such as low toxicity of the catalyst, a small amount of the catalyst can be used, high solubility of the catalyst, mild reaction conditions, no coloration, no odor (unnecessary post-treatment of molded products). The method of the present invention is more environment-friendly and economical than a conventional living radical polymerization method.

Abstract: A large part of conventional organic-inorganic composite materials is obtained by mechanical blending silsesquioxanes with organic polymers, and therefore it has been very difficult to control the structure thereof as the molecular aggregate of the composite materials. An object of the present invention is to provide a novel silicon compound having a living radical polymerization-initiating ability for an addition-polymerizable monomer and a polymer obtained using the same to thereby solve the problem described above regarding the conventional organic-inorganic composite materials. The present inventors have found that a novel silsesquioxane derivative to which a group having an ability to initiate polymerization of a monomer is useful as means for solving the problem described above.

Abstract: Since the majority of conventional organic/inorganic composite materials are obtained by mechanical blending of a silsesquioxane and an organic polymer or other means, it was extremely difficult to control the structure of the composite as a molecular agglomerate. In order to solve such a problem, the invention is to provide a silicon compound represented by Formula (1). This novel silicon compound has a living radical polymerization initiating ability for addition polymerizable monomers of a wide range.