Abstract: The present invention provides a molecular blended polymer that includes two or more types of polymers blended at the molecular level. At least one monomer is polymerized in the presence of two or more kinds of catalysts supported on a mesoporous molecular sieve having a pore size of 20 Å to 500 Å. The polymerization occurs in the pore of the mesoporous molecular sieve and is controlled at the molecular level. Thus, the polymer material is controlled extremely well and the function and physical properties of the polymer material are greatly enhanced.

Abstract: Polymers comprising repeating units of the formula I 1

Abstract: A process for producing a styrenic resin with a small content of low molecular weight components, comprising a continuous anionic polymerization process wherein a raw material system having the following composition (A) is continuously fed, either collectively or in a divided manner, from one end of a reactor tank R1 having a back mixing flow and the product system is continuously discharged from the other end of the reactor tank R1, the internal temperature of the reactor tank R1 being controlled to a range of 40-120° C., the average proportion of styrene monomers to the sum total of the styrene monomers, hydrocarbon solvent and styrenic polymers present in the reactor tank R1 being controlled to less than 10 wt. %, and the resulting styrenic polymer solution being devolatilized and dried: 1 (A) Styrene monomer 1.0 kg Hydrocarbon solvent 0.1-3 kg Organolithium compound 0.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for controlling the architecture of copolymers of at least two unsaturated monomers, made by free-radical polymerization in the presence of a cobalt-containing chain transfer agent, including the control of molecular weight, degree of branching and vinyl end group termination, by varying at least one of the variables of molar ratio of monomers, their relative chain transfer constants, polymerization temperature and degree of conversion and amount of cobalt chain transfer agent; and polymers made thereby.

Abstract: A new polymerization process (atom transfer radical polymerization, or ATRP) based on a redox reaction between a transition metal (e.g., Cu(I)/Cu(II), provides “living” or controlled radical polymerization of styrene, (meth)acrylates, and other radically polymerizable monomers. Using various simple organic halides as model halogen atom transfer precursors (initiators) and transition metal complexes as a model halogen atom transfer promoters (catalysts), a “living” radical polymerization affords (co)polymers having the predetermined number average molecular weight by &Dgr;[M]/[I]0 (up to Mn>105) and a surprisingly narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn), as low as 1.15. The participation of free radical intermediates in ATRP is supported by end-group analysis and stereochemistry of the polymerization. In addition, polymers with various topologies (e.g.

Abstract: Non-tacky, base polymers are plasticized into pressure-sensitive adhesives and comprise: a) about 100 parts by weight of a base copolymer having a Tg greater than about 0° C., wherein the base copolymer is formed from and comprises: (1) about 50 to 70% by weight of a high Tg comonomer component, wherein the homopolymer formed from the high Tg comonomer component has a Tg of at least about 20° C.; (2) optionally, up to about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the base copolymer of an acidic comonomer; and (3) about 30 to 50% by weight of one or more low Tg (meth)acrylate comonomer, wherein the Tg homopolymer of the low Tg comonomer is less than about 20° C., and b) about 1 to about 100 parts based on the base copolymer of a nonreactive, non-volatile, non-acrylic-based plasticizing agent.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide cationic hollow crosslinked polymer particles that maintain a cationic property over a wide pH range, has adequate strength, and is favorable for use in filled paper, pigments for coating paper, additives for paints, fillers for resins, rubbers, and the like. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing the abovementioned cationic hollow crosslinked polymer particles with excellent characteristics in a stable manner. The hollow crosslinked polymer particles of the present invention are characterized in that (I) the zeta potential as measured in an aqueous medium of pH 2 to 9 is in the range of +5 to +100 mV, (II) the volume hollowness is in the range of 1 to 80%, and (III) the average particle diameter is in the range of 0.03 to 10 &mgr;m. This hollow crosslinked polymer particles are produced by a method that (a) 1 to 99.99 weight % of a crosslinking monomer, (b) 0.

Abstract: A method of making a copolymer composition containing a copolymer, which includes the steps of (a) providing a donor monomer composition that includes an isobutylene type monomer; (b) mixing the donor monomer composition with an ethylenically unsaturated monomer composition that includes one or more ethylenically unsaturated acceptor monomers, and is substantially free of maleate type monomers and fumarate type monomers, and (c) polymerizing the mixture resulting from step (b) in the presence of a free radical polymerization initiator. The polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of Lewis acids and/or transition metals. The isobutylene type monomer is present at a molar excess of at least 10 mol % based on the molar concentration of monomers in the ethylenically unsaturated monomer composition. The ethylenically unsaturated acceptor monomers are present in an amount of at least 15 mol % of the total monomer composition.

Abstract: A high molecular weight water soluble acrylamide based polymer having improved flocculating and dewatering properties is provided. The polymer is prepared by a process in which a small quantity of a chain branching agent is added to the polymerization reaction mixture continuously or stepwise while the monomers are polymerized. The polymer is useful in solid/liquid separations such as flocculants and coagulants in wastewater treatment applications, and as thickening agents.

Abstract: The dialkyl peroxydicarbonates with short alkyl chains, preferably diethyl and diisopropyl peroxydicarbonates, are used for the aqueous suspension polymerization of vinyl chloride, in the form of a solution in a dialkyl alkanedicarboxylate which is liquid and insoluble in water. The preferred solvents are hexanedicarboxylates (adipates) derived from adipic acid and from C6-C10 alkanols. The peroxydicarbonate concentration of the said solutions is generally 15-40% by weight. The process according to the invention produces vinyl chloride polymers of improved quality resulting in shaped articles exhibiting markedly fewer fisheyes.

Abstract: A method of determining the quality of polymerization catalysts comprises

Abstract: A method for block copolymerization of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, which comprises the steps of carrying out homopolymerization of the conjugated diene in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising the following components: (A) a metallocene type complex of a rare earth metal compound, and (B) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinate anion and a cation and/or an aluminoxane, and then adding the aromatic vinyl compound, and a catalyst composition for polymerization of a conjugated diene or copolymerization of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, which comprises the following components: (D) a neodymium complex, and (B) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinate anion and a cation and/or an aluminoxane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the copolymerisation of conjugated diolefins with non-conjugated olefins in the presence of rare earth metal catalysts. The advantages of the process according to the invention are in particular the high selectivity, good space-time yield and the possibility of being able to vary the reaction conditions within a wide range.

Abstract: A film-forming polymer is prepared by polymerisation of: from 4 to 50 mol % of monomer units A selected from the group consisting of the trialkylsilyl esters of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, and mixtures thereof; from 5 to 45 mol % of monomer units B selected from the group consisting of the N-vinyl lactam monomers of general formula CH2═CH—NR′″″—CO—R′|, the N-vinyl amides of general formula CH2═CH—N—CO—R″, the monomers of general formula CH2═CR′″—COO—R″″—NR′″″—CO—R′|, the monomers of general formula CH2═CR′″—COO—R″″—N—CO—R″, 2-pyrrolidone-1-isoprenyl ketone, and mixtures thereof, wherein R′ is a n-alkylidene radical having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R″ is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl and arylalkyl radicals hav

Abstract: New ligands having a backbone comprised of NCCX can be combined with a metal or metal precursor compound or formed into a metal-ligand complex to catalyze a number of different chemical transformations, including polymerization.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for living free radical polymerization.

Abstract: Enhanced conversion rates are realized in a suspension polymerization process for styrene through the use of peroxide initiators having one hour half life temperatures from 101° to 111° C. are disclosed. Also disclosed are suitable initiator combinations which provide polymeric products with low residual monomer content at reduced process temperatures, polymerizable compositions containing such initiators and products produced by such processes and compositions.

Abstract: The melt of polyvinyl aromatic polymers comprising from 10 to 45 weight % of star branched polymer prepared using a combination of thermal and tetra functional peroxide initiation has an improved melt strength permitting better foam formation for extrusion foam blown with conventional blowing agents and inert gases including CO2 and an improved tensile strength for oriented polystyrene (OPS) articles, e.g. blown film or extruded sheet.

Abstract: Supported metal halides and metal halide solid acids are used as catalysts for the polymerization of a feed stream containing at least one of pure monomer, 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° C. to 170° 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: The present invention is directed to a single stage free radical precipitation polymerization process for producing a copolymer involving admixing a solvent, a free-radical-forming agent, (meth)acrylic acid, and at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of styrene, vinyl acetate, methylmethacrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, acrylonitrile, and isopropylacrylamide; initiating a free-radical precipitation polymerization to form a plurality of polymer radicals; precipitating a polymer from said polymer radicals; maintaining the admixture of reactants at a temperature above the lower critical solution temperature of said admixture; and controlling the temperature of said admixture to control the rate of propagation of the polymer. The process is useful for producing random copolymers of vinyl acetate or styrene with more than 4 percent and up to greater than 20 percent by weight of (meth)acrylic acid.

Abstract: The process for the continuous preparation of homopolymers or copolymers by free-impinging-jet micromixing of fluids formed (1) of monomer(s) and (2) of an initiator system consists in micromixing the said fluids (1) and (2) and in recovering the mixture of these fluids in the form of a resultant jet Jr, originating from the point of impingement (I), the micromixture being obtained by:

Abstract: A process for polymerizing monomers in the gas phase, in fluidized bed reactors is described, where unsaturated, gas phase monomers are fed into the reactors in the presence of a mixture of inert diluents having a composition that allows the dew point to be adjusted, this leading to high production rates under stable operation in a non condensed operation mode.

Abstract: New compositions, titanium-ligand complexes and arrays with pyridyl-amine ligands are disclosed that catalyze the polymerization of monomers into polymers. These catalysts with titanium metal centers have high performance characteristics, including high styrene incorporation into ethylene/styrene copolymers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of forming a polymer composition having quaternary alkane units and aromatic hydrocarbon units. The aromatic hydrocarbon units have substituents of the general formula R1SiR2R3R4, wherein R1 is optional and is a hydrocarbon or ether linking the silicon and the aromatic hydrocarbon, and R2, R3, and R4 are one or more of hydrogen, alkyl, and alkoxy, with the provision that no more than two may be hydrogen or alkyl.

Abstract: A production process for a vinyl-based polymer is provided. The production process comprises a step for polymerizing a vinyl-based monomer by a radical reaction within an aqueous medium in a polymerization vessel, and a step for supplying a reaction inhibitor with a melting point of no more than 40° C. from a reaction inhibitor supply tank to the polymerization vessel via a reaction inhibitor supply pipe. The reaction inhibitor supply tank and the reaction inhibitor supply pipe are heated, and the reaction inhibitor is added to the polymerization vessel in a liquid state with a viscosity of no more than 200 mPa·s. The reaction inhibitor can be added to the polymerization mixture without the use of an organic solvent even at low temperatures, and problems such as the solidification of the reaction inhibitor inside the supply tank or piping, and subsequent blocking of the piping do not occur.

Abstract: Low color, aromatic modified C5 hydrocarbon resins are disclosed. The resins are predominantly an aromatic modified piperylene resin. The resins are useful as tackifiers in hot melt adhesives and hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: Processes for the controlled radical polymerization of acrylic and related polymers to produce improved low VOC coating materials, or powder coating compositions, the novel polymers so produced, the catalyst systems employed, processes for application of the improved coatings, coatings so produced and objects coated on at least one surface with the novel coatings are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention concerns inorganic deposit inhibitors, in particular in oil wells. Said inhibitors comprise a water soluble copolymer consisting of (in mol % of polymerised monomers): a) 5 to 95% of styrenesulphonic acid or one of its salts; b) 5 to 95% of vinylsulphonic acid or one of its salts; c) 0 to 20% of one or several non-ionizable unsaturated monomers. They are particularly efficient against calcium carbonate and/or barium sulphate deposits. They are capable of being used in accordance with a so-called squeeze process in HP/MT conditions with desorption compatible with the desired treatment duration.

Abstract: A polymer is produced by feeding a polymerization initiator, a cationically polymerizable monomer component and a catalyst continuously to a flow-through stirring vessel reactor to thereby allow the living polymerization to initiate and feeding a reaction solution from said flow-through stirring vessel reactor to a flow-through tubular reactor continuously to thereby allow the living polymerization to proceed, said reaction solution having a conversion rate of said cationically polymerizable monomer component of not less than 1% by weight to less than 90% by weight.

Abstract: Deaminatively generated carbocations to initiate addition polymerization are disclosed. The high reactivity of the carbocation allows initiation of polymerization with virtually all alkenes, alkynes, alicyclic and aromatic monomers, regardless whether multisubstituted or conjugated. In addition, the carbocation initiates a polymerization reaction that generates an extremely high molecular weight polymer. In particular polystyrene of viscosity average molecular weight of approximately 106 was obtained.

Abstract: In a process for the transition-metal-catalyzed preparation of polymers having a syndiotactic or predominantly syndiotactic structure from vinylaromatic monomers and a process for preparing block copolymers from vinylaromatic monomers and olefinically unsaturated polar monomers, use is made of transition metal compounds of the formula (I) where the substituents and indices have the following meanings: M is scandium, yttrium, lanthanum or a lanthanide metal, R′″ is &mgr;-C3-C20-alkyl, L is a low molecular weight organic compound having Lewis basicity, where n=1 or 0 and at least one n in (I) is 0, m is 1 or 2.

Abstract: A conjugated diene rubber gel comprising 80-99 weight % of conjugated diene monomer units and 20-1 weight % of aromatic vinyl monomer units and having a swelling index of 16 to 70 as measured in toluene. A rubber vulcanizate made from a rubber composition comprising this conjugated diene rubber gel and a rubber capable of being crosslinked with sulfur exhibits good abrasion resistance and low heat-build up without deterioration of mechanical properties, and thus, is suitable for tire materials. This conjugated diene rubber gel can be produced with high efficiency by emulsion-polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.9 weight % of a conjugated diene monomer, 0-30 weight % of an aromatic vinyl monomer, 0-20 weight % of other ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process for the control of the microstructure of polymers and to novel copolymers. An embodiment of the present invention relates a process of polymerizing first and second monomers in the presence of a complex comprising at least one of the monomers. The presence of the complex modifies the relative reactivity, or cross propagation rate constants, of the monomers in copolymerization reactions. Embodiments of the present invention allow the synthesis of polymers with novel stereochemistry and monomer sequence distribution, for example, but not limited to, copolymers with at least one segment of alternating monomers, a controlled molecular weight and narrow molecular weight distribution, or a segment of high concentration of the first monomer.

Abstract: A catalyst system useful to polymerize and co-polymerize polar and non-polar olefin monomers is formed by in situ reduction with a reducing agent of a catalyst precursor comprising

Abstract: Vinyl group-containing diarylethene monomers and photochromic polymers made there from. The diarylethene monomers may be suitable for controlled polyermerization. Polymers formed from the diarylethene monomers may have optical properties such as, for example, optical signal control properties, photochromic properties, and/or optical reflectivity properties.

Abstract: Olefins are polymerized by novel transition metal complexes of selected iminocarboxylate and iminoamido ligands, sometimes in the presence of cocatalysts such as alkylaluminum compounds or neutral Lewis acids. Olefins which may be (co)polymerized include ethylene, &agr;-olefins, and olefins containing polar groups such as olefinic esters for example acrylate esters. Also described are certain “Zwitterionic” transition metal complexes as polymerization catalysts for making polar copolymers. The resulting polymers are useful as thermoplastics and elastomers.

Abstract: A composite article includes a paper substrate, at least a portion of which is saturated with either a polymerizable ring-strained olefin monomer or the polymerization product of such a monomer. The polymerization of such monomers are catalyzed by transition metal-containing species. These paper saturated articles are useful as, inter alia, packaging materials, release liners, and backings.

Abstract: A polymer composed overall of from 50 to 99.98 % by weight of C1-C12 alkyl (meth)acrylate a), from 0.02 to 10 % by weight of a vinylaromatic compound b), from 0 to 10 % by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated acid or of an ehtylenically unsaturated acid anhydride c),  and from 0 to 40% by weight of further monomers d), the percentages by weight being based on the polymer and the polymer being obtainable by polymerizing the monomers a) to d) in at least two stages which differ in their content of vinylaromatic compounds in such a way that the content of vinylaromatic compounds in the vinylaromatics-rich stage is at least 5 times as great as in the low-vinylaromatics stage.

Abstract: An oriented pressure sensitively adhesive system comprising a pressure sensitive adhesive which is comprised of at least one block copolymer composed at least in part of (meth)acrylic acid derivatives, and at least one block copolymer comprising the unit P(A)-P(B)-P(A), where

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions from which radically initiated oligomers/polymers having a controlled molecular weight, low polydispersity and a vinyl or dienyl end group are prepared. Further subjects of the invention are a process for controlled radical polymerization, oligomers/polymers obtainable by said process and the use of specific addition fragmentation agents for the polymerization process. The addition fragmentation agents are new in part and these are also subject of the present invention. The addition fragmentation agents are of the formula (Ia), (Ib) or (Ic) where Y is a group which activates the double bond towards Michael addition.

Abstract: Process for the polymerization of unsaturated vinyl and/or vinylidene monomers which comprises reacting one or more monomers in the presence of heterocyclic initiators having a nitrogen atom bound to an oxygen atom at a temperature ranging from 100 to 130° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerizable composition comprising a) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and b1) at least one multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl and a free radical initiator or b2) at least one multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-ether. Further aspects of the present invention are a process for polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers, the (co)polymers obtainable by this process and the use of multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyls in combination with a free radical initiator, or a multifunctional triazinyl based 2,2,6,6 tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl-ethers for controlled polymerization. In a particularly preferred embodiment at least one additional heating step at a temperature from 140 to 280° C. is applied after polymerization is completed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer produced by polymerizing a vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a small amount of furfuryl (alkyl)acrylate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the preparation of functionalized telechelics based on vinyl polyrners, the telechelics prepared in this way and their use in the plastics, fibers or coating sector.

Abstract: Provided are flow-and-leveling agents for powder coatings which provide the coated surfaces with a flow-and-leveling property by blending into powder coatings taking a serious view of finishing and which improves coating defects such as ruptures and craters to contribute to a rise in the appearance in powder coating. The above flow-and-leveling agents are (meth)acrylic acid ester base copolymers containing a trimethylsilyl group in a proportion of 2 to 65% by weight and having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 60000.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the discovery of certain anionic initiator systems can be used to initiate the solution polymerization of conjugated diolefin monomers into rubbery polymers having a low vinyl content. For instance, such initiator systems can be used in the copolymerization of styrene and isoprene to produce low vinyl styrene-isoprene rubber having a random distribution of repeat units that are derived from styrene. These initiator systems are comprised of (a) a lithium initiator and (b) a member selected from the group consisting of (1) a sodium alkoxide, (2) a sodium salt of a sulfonic acid, and (3) a sodium salt of a glycol ether. It is important for the initiator system to be free of polar modifiers, such as Lewis bases.

Abstract: The invention concerns alkoxyamines derived from &bgr;-phosphorous nitroxides corresponding to formula (I). Said compounds can be used as (co)polymerization initiators of at least a monomer polymerizable by radical polymerization.

Abstract: Reagents to cause swelling of coarsely ground vulcanized rubber, and a method of using the reagents is disclosed. Reagents which cause rubber to swell but which do not attack or react with rubber include various hydrocarbons, ketones and lactones. Specifically useful are benzene, cyclohexanone, cyclohexane, toluene, xylene, hexane, heptane, acetone, gasoline, paramethadione, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone and amyl acetate. It is taught that specific reagents work most effectively with specific types of rubbers, and that mixtures of reagents, preferably reagents having the same polarity, may be used. The reagent of the present invention is mixed with the coarsely ground rubber powder for about five minutes or more, causing the rubber particles to approximately double in size. Preferably, the reagent is substantially fully absorbed by the rubber. The swollen rubber is then suitable for further processing, namely, grinding into a superfine powder.

Abstract: Glycidyl and alkylcarbonyl functional nitroxide radical polymerization initiator compounds of formula (Ia) or (Ib), where R1, R2 and A are as defined within, R3 is a radical of formula (II)  where X is phenylene, naphthylene or biphenylene, which are unsubstituted or substituted by NO2, halogen, amino, hydroxy, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4alkylthio, C1-C4alkylamino or di(C1-C4alkyl)amino; the R12 are independently of each other H or CH3; D is a group  a group C(O)—R13 or a group C(O)—R9—C(O)—R13; R13 is C1-C18alkyl and m is a number from 1 to 4, provide polymeric resin products having low polydispersity, polymerization processes that proceed with good monomer to polymer conversion efficiencies and polymers that contain a glycidyl or alkylcarbonyl group.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises contacting one or more olefinic comonomers in the presence of at least a high molecular weight catalyst and at least a low molecular weight catalyst in a single reactor; and effectuating the polymerization of the olefinic comonomers in the reactor to obtain an olefin polymer. Preferably, both catalysts have the ability to incorporate a substantially similar amount of comonomers in the olefin polymer. The polymers produced by the process may have a relatively higher level of long chain branching while maintaining a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution, i.e., MWD less than about 6. These interpolymers may exhibit processability similar to or better than LDPE but have physical properties similar to metallocene catalyzed polymers.