Abstract: An improved composition and a method of scavenging oxygen using the composition which comprise oxidizable organic compounds, transition metal catalysts in combination with certain photoinitiators is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition to UV radiation. The present composition uses certain defined benzophenone derivatives which maintain effectiveness of photoinitiation while providing reduced migration of the photoinitiator from the resin matrix.

Abstract: A process for producing a microporous oil sorbent polymer comprising the steps of: dissolving a polyunsaturated monomer in a silicone organic solvent to provide a monomer mixture containing more than 90% by weight polyunsaturated monomer; polymerizing said monomers by precipitation polymerization, under an inert atmosphere to precipitate microporous, micro-particles in the form of micro-particles, agglomerates and aggregates having a bulk density of about 0.02 gm/cm3 to about 0.01 gm/cm3 and capable of adsorbing at least about 20% by weight organic materials based on the total weight of polymer plus adsorbed organic material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of polymeric resins which have a softening point ranging from about 50° C. to about 220° C. and a molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 42,000. The resins consist essentially of the polymers which result from the polymerization reaction between dicyclopentadiene and limonene. The polymeric resins are particularly useful in improving traction of the rubber when used in tire treads.

Abstract: Styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) is widely used as a chewing gum base in lieu of natural gums. It is necessary to protect chewing gum SBR with a food grade antioxidant stabilizer system. This invention discloses a chewing gum rubber composition (gum base) that utilizes carnosic acid from a Libiatae plant, such as rosemary or sage, as an antioxidant stabilizer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel class of polymeric resins which have a softening point ranging from about 50° C. to about 220° C. and a molecular weight ranging from about 500 to about 42,000. The resins comprise the polymers which result from the polymerization reaction between dimethyl dicyclopentadiene and limonene. The polymeric resins are particularly useful in improving traction of the rubber when used in tire treads.

Abstract: Ionic catalyst compositions can be prepared by combining two components. The first component is a bis(cyclopentadienyl) Group IV-B metal complex containing at least one ligand which will combine irreversibly with the second component or at least a portion thereof such as a cation portion thereof. The second component comprises a cation which will irrevesibly react with at least one ligand on the Group IV-B metal complex and a non-coordinating anion. The combination of the two components produces an ionic catalyst composition comprising a cationic bis(cyclopentadienyl) Group IV-B metal complex which has a formal coordination number of 3 and a 4+ valence charge and the aforementioned non-coordinating anion.

Abstract: A process for producing a monodisperse polymer which has a number-average molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw (weight-average molecular weight)/Mn (number-average molecular weight)=1.00 through 1.50 is disclosed. This process comprises: homopolymerizing or random copolymerizing an anionic polymerizable compound by living anionic polymerization using an organic alkali metal and/or an alkali metal as a polymerization initiator, wherein a target molecular weight is obtained by adding the compound divided into multiple steps.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, and an aluminoxane. This catalyst composition is useful for polymerizing conjugated diene monomers and is particularly useful for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: This invention provides a diene rubber capable of yielding a vulcanized rubber having improved heat build-up, tensile strength and abrasion resistance, processes for preparing the same, and rubber compositions containing the same. The diene rubber is composed of 40 to 99.99% by weight of conjugated diene monomer units, 0 to 50% by weight of aromatic vinyl monomer units, and 0.01 to 20% by weight of vinyl monomer units containing a tertiary amino group which is at least partially quaternized with a hydrocarbon radical, and has a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4, 100° C.) of 10 to 200.

Abstract: A method for producing a cross-linked polymer manifesting a high absorption capacity and having a small content of soluble component by a convenient and expeditious process with high productivity is provided. An absorbent resin such that disposable diapers and other products incorporating the absorbent resin manifest outstanding qualities and a method for the production of the absorbent resin are proposed.

Abstract: Modified polypropylenes of improved processability are produced by a continuous method by absorptively charging polypropylene particles at 20° to 120° C. with a gas mixture, which contains oxygen and bifunctional, unsaturated monomers, and melting the mixture. The modified polypropylenes of improved processability as well as mixtures with unmodified polypropylenes are suitable for the production of films, sheets, fibers, panels, coatings, pipes, hollow objects and foamed materials.

Abstract: Cyanoacrylate adhesives which have increased heat resistance, yet also exhibit good storage stability and acceptable cure times, are obtained by using 2-cyanopentadienoic acid esters in combination with alkylene bis-(2-cyanopentadienoates).

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a method for forming a syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene product having a syndiotacticity of more than 66.5% and a melting temperature of more than about 100° C. The method includes polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in solution with a solvent, in the presence of catalytically effective amounts of: (a) an organomagnesium compound; (b) a chromium compound; and, (c) a dihydrocarbyl hydrogen phosphite. The present invention also contemplates a product of the method and an article made from the product.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel anionic polymerization amine initiators having a tertiary amine group pendant to the polymer chain and processes for making the same. The initiators can be useful in the preparation of tertiary amine containing polymers, including linear, homotelechelic, heterotelechelic and radial polymers.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resin is prepared by (1) thermally polymerizing a mixture consisting essentially of (a) about 40% to 90% by weight based on total monomers of a cyclic diolefin component comprising at least about 50% by weight dicyclopentadiene, and (b) about 60% to 10% by weight based on total monomers of a specified vinyl aromatic component, preferably alpha-methylstyrene; para-methyl-&agr;-methylstyrene; 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene, or mixtures thereof, and (2) recovering a product having a Ring and Ball softening point of about 70° to about 150° C. Hydrogenation of this resin produces light colored, thermally stable products that are useful as tackifiers in adhesives.

Abstract: There is provided a polymerization, especially a gas phase polymerization, of a sticky polymer in the presence of a catalyst under polymerization conditions using carbon black as an inert particulate material, the improvement comprises conducting said polymerization in the presence of a carbon black having a sugar-containing or sugar-derived binder, which carbon black is prepared by heating the carbon black to a temperature of at least about 280° C. for a time sufficient to decompose said sugar-containing or sugar-derived binder prior to polymerization.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) a cyclic hydrogen phosphite, and (c) an organoaluminum compound is disclosed for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. The use of the catalyst composition of this disclosure avoids the use of environmentally detrimental components such as carbon disulfide and halogenated solvents. The melting temperature of the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be varied from about 125 to about 175° C. by variations in the catalyst components and the component ratios. The ability to vary the melting temperature over such a broad range with a single catalyst composition is very desirable. The syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be used as a plastic or as an additive for rubber compositions wherein it can crosslink with conventional rubbers using conventional crosslinking agents.

Abstract: Thermoplastic elastomers can be prepared by (co)polymerization of monomers from the group consisting of C2-C8-&agr;-olefins, C4-C15-diolefins and other monomers in the bulk, solution, slurry or gas phase, the catalysts employed being metallocene compounds or the &pgr; complex compounds of the formulae in which CpI and CpII represent carbanions having a cyclopentadienyl-containing structure, &pgr;I and &pgr;II represent charged or electrically neutral &pgr; systems, D represents a donor atom and A represents an acceptor atom, where D and A are linked by a reversible coordinate bond such that the donor group assumes a positive (part) charge and the acceptor group assumes a negative (part) charge, M represents a transition metal of sub-group III, IV, V or VI of the Periodic Table of the Elements (Mendeleev), including the lanthanides and actinides, X denotes one anion equivalent and n denotes the number zero, one, two, three or four, depending on the charge of M.

Abstract: Elastomers can be prepared by (co)polymerization of monomers consisting of the group of C2-C8-&agr;-olefins, C4-C15-diolefins and other monomers in the bulk, solution, slurry or gas phase, the catalysts employed being metallocene compounds or the &pgr; complex compounds of the formula in which CpI and CpII represent carbanions having a cyclopentadienyl-containing structure, &pgr;I and &pgr;II represent charged or electrically neutral &pgr; systems, D represents a donor atom and A represents an acceptor atom, where D and A are linked by a reversible coordinate bond such that the donor group assumes a positive (part) charge and the acceptor group assumes a negative (part) charge, M represents a transition metal of sub-group III, IV, V or VI of the Periodic Table of the Elements (Mendeleev), including the lanthanides and the actinides, X denotes one anion equivalent and n denotes the number zero, one, two, three or four, depending on the charge of M.

Abstract: Amorphous copolymers of ethylene with .alpha.-olefins and optionally minor amounts of polyenes are disclosed, having the following characteristics:(A) the % by mole content of .alpha.-olefin in the copolymer (%.alpha.) and the ratio between the molar amount of .alpha.-olefin diads and the molar content of .alpha.-olefin in the copolymer (.alpha..alpha./.alpha.) satisfy the following relationship:(%.alpha.)-250(.alpha..alpha./.alpha.).gtoreq.10(B) less than 2% of the CH.sub.2 groups in the polymeric chain are in sequences (CH.sub.2).sub.n, wherein n is an even number.These copolymers are obtainable by operating in the presence of particular metallocene-based catalysts having two fluorenyl groups joined together through a bridging group.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, an organomagnesium compound, and a cyclic hydrogen phosphite. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into binary cis-1,4/1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: This invention relates to a multifunctional organic alkali metal initiator for the preparation of various kinds of star polymers by anionic polymerization, a process for making the initiator, a process using said initiator for making star polymers and the polymers obtained. The initiator can be represented by the formula: M.sub.a (RMe).sub.b, wherein M is selected from Sn, Ti, Al, Si and/or B; R is a hydrocarbyl group containing 8-100 carbon atoms, a=1-3, b=2.5-6.5, Me is an alkali metal which may be selected from Na and Li. The initiator was synthesized by reacting an organic alkali metal with a conjugated diene and/or a mono-olefin monomer, and then adding hetero-atom containing halide. The star polymer obtained has a radial molecular structure consisting of several macromolecular chain arms radiating from the initiator core, and its molecular weight distribution expressed by GPC presents a uniform singlet.

Abstract: Metal salts of saturated aliphatic alcohols can be used as modifiers in lithium initiated solution polymerizations of diene monomers into rubbery polymers. Sodium t-amylate is a preferred modifiers because of its exceptional solubility in non-polar aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents that are employed as the medium for such solution polymerizations. However, using sodium t-amylate as the polymerization modifier in commercial operations where recycle is required can lead to certain problems. These problems arise due to the fact that sodium t-amylate reacts with water to form t-amyl alcohol during steam stripping in the polymer finishing step. Since t-amyl alcohol forms an azeotrope with hexane, it co-distills with hexane and thus contaminates the feed stream. The present invention solves the problem of recycle stream contamination. This invention is based upon the discovery of highly effective modifiers that do not co-distill with hexane or-form-compounds during steam stripping which co-distill with hexane.

Abstract: Metal oxide solid acids are used as catalysts for the polymerization of a feed stream containing at least one of pure monomer (e.g., styrene based monomers), C5 monomers, and C9 monomers to produce hydrocarbon resins. Freely-associated water may be removed from the solid acid catalyst prior to use. Resins with softening points (Ring and Ball) in the range of about 5.degree. C. to 170.degree. C. can be prepared. These catalysts offer advantages over the traditional Friedel-Crafts polymerization catalysts since the acid sites are an integral part of the solid. The solid acid catalysts are relatively nonhazardous, reusable catalysts which eliminate or at least reduce contamination of the resulting resin products with acid residues or by-products.

Abstract: Complexes of lanthanides are described, which are effective in the polymerization of conjugated dienes, obtained by reacting LnX.sub.3 with at least one Lithium compound selected from:(i) Li(A), the molar ratio Li(A)/LnX.sub.3 being from 1.5 to 2.5;(ii) LiLn(A).sub.4, the molar ratio between LiLn(A).sub.4 and LnX.sub.3 being from 0.5 to 1.5;wherein Ln is selected from any of the Lanthanides; X is selected from halides, carboxylates, alcoholates, --N(R.sub.x) (R.sub.y) wherein R.sub.x and R.sub.y, the same or different, are C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl radicals;A is an allyl radical having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5, the same or different, are selected from hydrogen and C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl radicals.

Abstract: The instant invention teaches a method for forming a syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene product having a higher syndiotacticity and a higher melting temperature than syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene produced using chromium catalysts known in the prior art. The method includes polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in solution with a solvent, in the presence of catalytically effective amounts of: (a) a chromium compound; (b) an organomagnesium compound; and, (c) a cyclic hydrogen phosphite.

Abstract: The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize a highly random styrene-butadiene rubber having a high trans content by solution polymerization. The styrene-butadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit improved wear characteristics. This invention more specifically reveals a catalyst system for use in exothermal polymerizations which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide. The subject invention further discloses a process for synthesizing a random styrene-butadiene rubber having a low vinyl content by a process which comprises copolymerizing styrene and 1,3-butadiene under isothermal conditions in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide.

Abstract: The preparation of di- or polyfunctional polymers by anionic polymerization using functionalized initiators having the structure R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--A--B, wherein each R is methyl and A is a hydrocarbon bridging group containing from 1 to 25 carbon atoms, and B is an alkali metal, is improved when polymerization occurs in the presence of a polymerization termination inhibitor which is a metal alkyl which has been added at a concentration to afford a molar ratio of the termination inhibitor to living polymer chain ends of about 0.1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: A non-crosslinked polymer having pendant zwitterionic groups and pendant functional groups can be coated from a coating composition onto a surface having pendant coreactive functional groups and, after coating, may be cured so that covalent bonds are formed between the coreactive functional groups on the polymer and the surface. Alternatively the polymer can be crosslinked after coating, by formation of covalent intermolecular cross-links between coreactive pendant functional groups on the polymer. The zwitterionic pendant groups preferably have, as the anion, a phosphate ester group, and as the cation, a quaternary ammonium group. The polymer coating is stable and provides improved biocompatibility, especially haemocompatibility.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer prepared by a process comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a cyclic amine compound, an organolithium compound, and from 3 to about 300 equivalents, based upon one equivalent of lithium, of a monomer selected from the group including diene monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, and mixtures thereof, where the cyclic amine compound is defined by the formula where R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups, N is a nitrogen atom, and H is a hydrogen atom, thereby forming a polymerization initiator having the formula where Li is a lithium atom, SOL is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 3 to about 300 polymerized monomeric units, y is from 0.5 to about 3, and A is a cyclic amine radical derived from the cyclic amine, charging the solution containing (A)Li(SOL)y with from about 0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for feeding powders such as fine, cohesive, or powdery particulate materials from a low pressure system to a high pressure system. In a preferred embodiment a process and apparatus of pressurizing and feeding carbon black fluff to a polymerization reactor is provided particularly a gas phase fluidized polymerization reactor to provide for a close-coupling of a carbon black reactor to a polymerization reactor.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polymer compositions which are multimodal in nature. The process involves contacting, under polymerization conditions, a selected addition polymerizable monomer with a metallocene catalyst having two or more distinct and chemically different active sites, and a catalyst activator.

Abstract: This invention provides a process to produce a composition that comprises diluent and copolymer and also provides the composition. The process of this invention comprises: (a) producing a composition that comprises diluent and copolymer; and (b) removing a portion of said diluent from said composition. This produces a composition that has a lower amount of diluent and a lower amount of imperfections.

Abstract: Primary polymer particles having a size at least 90% below 10 .mu.m and which contain water soluble and water insoluble polymer are made by reverse phase polymerisation of a water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend with cross linking agent, and the emulsion is then spray dried to form spray dried granules which disintegrate upon addition to water, thereby forming an aqueous composition of the insoluble particles having activity similar to the starting emulsion. This aqueous composition of insoluble particles is particularly useful for flocculation, for instance flocculation of sewage sludge followed by centrifugation or belt pressing, or for viscosification.

Abstract: A liquid phase polymerization process is provided for producing a polyolefin elastomer, e.g., one derived from ethylene, another .alpha.-olefin such as propylene and, optionally, a diene, employing a metallocene catalyst. The process comprises contacting monomer under liquid phase polymerization conditions with a catalyst composition obtained by combining (a) a metallocene procatalyst, preferably one containing a bridging group possessing at least two bulky groups, and (b) a cocatalyst such as aluminoxane, preferably a cation-generating cocatalyst, in partial on total replacement of aluminoxane.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of aliphatic solvent needed for maintaining aminoalkyllithium initiators in solution comprising the step of combining at least one aminoalkyllithium compound with a second, dissimilar lithioamine.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain carrying at least one functional group selected from alkyl, dialkyl and cycloalkyl amine radicals having the general formula ##STR1## and cyclic amine radicals having the general formula ##STR2## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups. The invention also provides products based upon such polymers.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst composition, comprising: (a) an organolithium compound; and, (b) an organic acid salt of lanthanide series element; wherein: (1) only components (a) and (b) are required to promote the synthesis of 1,4-trans-polybutadiene; (2) the ratio of component (a) to component (b) is selected to maximize formation of the trans structure of said 1,4-trans-polybutadiene; and, (3) components (a) and (b) are selected for enabling further diblock synthesis. The invention further contemplates a process for using the catalyst to synthesize 1,4-trans-polybutadiene and other polymers and copolymers having trans configuration in the conjugated diene monomer contributed units.

Abstract: Various benefits can be attained by utilizing trans-1,4-polybutadiene in tire rubber compounds. For instance, the green strength of tire rubber compounds can be improved by including trans-1,4-polybutadiene therein. The inclusion of trans-1,4-polybutadiene in tire rubber compounds is also beneficial because it is strain crystallizable. However, due to its high melting point, it is normally necessary to heat trans-1,4-polybutadiene in order for it to be processed using conventional mixing equipment. This heating step is typically carried out by storing the trans-1,4-polybutadiene in a "hothouse" for a few days prior to its usage. During this storage period, the polymer typically undergoes undesirable oxidative crosslinking which is caused by residual cobalt catalyst and leads to gelation. In fact, the gelation can render the trans-1,4-polybutadiene unprocessable.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing polydienes, such as polybutadiene and polyisoprene, in a gas phase fluidized bed reactor using a pre-activated nickel catalyst which is highly active for cost effective production of these dienes in gas phase.

Abstract: Long chain branched syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymers can be obtained by polymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a small amount of a multifunctional monomer under conditions such that a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer is produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hyperbranched polymers comprising heating a polymerizable reaction charge comprising (a) a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.1% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.1-50% by weight of one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) if at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the monomer mixture is not a thermally initiating monomer, a free radical polymerization initiator, to a temperature in the range from about 250.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. in a continuous reactor which allows mixing of the reactor contents for a residence time of from about 2 minutes to about 60 minutes, provided that if the total amount of multiethylenically unsaturated monomer is less than 3% by weight of the monomer mixture than at least one of said one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers must be tri- or greater ethylenically unsaturated. The hyperbranched polymers prepared by this process are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polymers having the formula: ##STR1## wherein: M, Q, X, Y, Z, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are as defined in the text.

Abstract: Protected, functionalized telechelic polymers, hydrogenated and/or deprotected analogues thereof, and processes to prepare these polymers are disclosed. In the invention, a lithium initiator is added to a compound having at least two independently polymerizable vinyl groups to form a dilithium initiator. Monomer is then added to grow or polymerize polymer arms having living ends and the living ends functionalized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst system based on monoazadiene metal complexes of the formula ##STR1## and a co-catalyst suitable for activating the metal complex, and to the use of the catalyst system for the polymerization of unsaturated compounds, especially for the polymerization and copolymerization of olefins and/or dienes.The novel catalyst system is characterised in particular by its ease of access, its lack of sensitivity to external influences and its ease of handling.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing a gaseous conjugated diene by bringing it in contact with a catalyst consisting of a rare earth allyl compound, an organic aluminum compound, an inorganic support and optionally, the same or a different conjugated diene. The resulting polymers possess elevated proportions of cis-1,4 units.

Abstract: An acyclic alkane soluble anionic polymerization initiator includes a mixture of from about 90 to about 10 parts by weight of a lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.1 Li and from about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of at least one other lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.2 Li. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are selected from the dialkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl and dicycloalkyl amine radicals and cyclic amine radicals. There is also provided a method of forming a mixture of anionic polymerization initiators, a functionalized polymer and a method of forming a functionalized polymer.

Abstract: An elastomer has a modulus intermediate between that of a conventional rubber and a gel. The elastomer includes (a) between 20 and 45 parts by weight of a semicrystalline elastomer having between 1 and 15% crystallinity and (b) between 80 and 55 parts by weight of a compatible liquid elastomer having a number-average molecular weight of between 1,500 and 8,500. The elastomer's modulus is sufficiently high to enable it to be fabricated into handleable articles, but is sufficiently low so that it provides effective sealing of substrates it covers without the need for introducing a separate sealing material such as a mastic or adhesive.

Abstract: The present invention provides adhesive compositions which include free radical polymerizable compounds and a redox catalyst system to accelerate polymerization thereof. The redox catalyst includes an aniline derivative substituted in the para position by halogen as an accelerator. The use of para-halogenated aniline derivatives as an accelerator in the cure of free radical polymerizable compounds results in good bond strength and greatly improved surface cure of the adhesive composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to an elastic-plastic element comprising an isoprene-based matrix and at least one filler, the element being suitable for filling root canals of humans or animals and being characterised by calcium hydroxide, incorporated into the matrix, as filler. The invention relates also to a method of preparing the element according to the invention.