Abstract: A blend of polymers comprising from 5 to 95 weight % of a polymer having a high molecular weight made using a single site type catalyst and from 95 to 5 weight % of a polymer having a lower molecular weight made using a catalyst containing a phenoxide, preferably a salicylaldimine ligand, has an excellent toughness and would be suitable for use in applications such as polyolefin pipes.

Abstract: To provide an electrolyte polymer for polymer electrolyte fuel cells, made of a perfluorinated polymer having sulfonic groups, characterized in that in a test of immersing 0.1 g of the polymer in 50 g of a fenton reagent solution containing 3% of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution and 200 ppm of bivalent iron ions at 40° C. for 16 hours, the amount of eluted fluorine ions detected in the solution is not more than 0.002% of the total amount of fluorine in the polymer immersed. The electrolyte polymer of the present invention has very few unstable terminal groups and has an excellent durability, and therefore, is suitable as a polymer constituting an electrolyte membrane for polymer electrolyte fuel cells and a polymer contained in a catalyst layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta-type catalyst system and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing an ethylene-?-olefin-polyene copolymer by continuous multistage polymerization which can give an ethylene-?-olefin-polyene copolymer excellent in a form retention property during extrusion. The process for producing an ethylene-?-olefin-polyene copolymer comprises continuously polymerizing ethylene, ?-olefin, and the following polyene (A) and polyene (B) in a solvent in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst using a polymerization reaction apparatus comprising two tanks of polymerization reactors connected in series, wherein the polymerization is carried out under specific conditions: polyene (A): at least one polyene selected from norbornadienes and vinylnorbornenes, polyene (B): polyene other than the polyene (A).

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyethylene composition. The composition comprises single-site multimodal resin A and single-site multimodal resin B, wherein resin A differs from resin B in molecular weight, in monomeric composition, in density, in long chain branch concentration or distribution, or in combinations thereof. Disclosed is also a method for making the polyethylene composition. The method comprises polymerizing, in the presence of two or more single-site catalysts, ethylene or its mixture with a C3-C10 ?-olefin to form a first multimodal resin and continuing the polymerization in the presence of the same catalysts but in a different hydrogen concentration, in a different monomer composition, or at a different temperature to form a second multimodal resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a propylene random copolymer comprising polymerisation of propylene with a comonomer, said comonomer being ethylene or an ?-olefin comprising at least four carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalyst in a muiltistage process comprising polymerisation of propylene with a comonomer in a first reaction zone including at least one slurry reactor to give a first polymerisation product, transferring said first product to a second reaction zone including at least one gas phase reactor and polymerisations of propylene with a comonomer in said gas phase reactor in the presence of said first polymerisation product, wherein the temperature in the gas phase reactor is at least 10° C. higher than in the slurry reactor and to a polymer obtainable by this process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the high pressure polymerisation of ethylene which comprises a high pressure reactor; a conduit for the supply of ethylene to the reactor, the conduit being provided with a preheater for heating the ethylene; a waste heat boiler for the production of medium pressure steam; a source of high pressure steam; and a steam distribution system comprising a medium pressure steam net for the distribution of medium pressure steam from the waste heat boiler, in which the preheater comprises first, second and third sections and the steam distribution system is such that the first section can be supplied with steam from the medium pressure steam net, the second section can be supplied with steam from the medium pressure steam net or with high pressure steam and the third section can be supplied with high pressure steam.

Abstract: Process for removing unconverted residual monomers from polyoxymethylenes, wherein a devolatilization step is carried out in an extrudate devolatilizer.

Abstract: A process for producing a water-absorbing polymer by polymerizing a monomer solution and drying the resulting hydrogel by means of a heated gas stream comprises effecting the drying in two or more temperature zones, and/or the gas stream is flowed against the hydrogel upwardly in the upstream sector of the belt dryer and downwardly in the downstream sector of the belt dryer, the direction of flow being reversed at a water content of 15% to 45% by weight for the hydrogel, and/or the hydrogel layer is flowed against in a belt dryer upwardly to some extent at least, the gas velocity being 5% to 30% of the gas velocity required to lift the hydrogel off the belt, also apparatus for carrying out the process and use of the water-absorbing polymers produced by the process to produce hygiene articles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel materials particularly useful for ophthalmic applications and methods for making and using the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to relatively soft, optically transparent, foldable, high refractive index materials particularly suited for use in the production of intraocular lenses, contact lenses, and other ocular implants and to methods for manufacturing and using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the start up of polymerization or copolymerization of ethylene in a gas phase reactor, preferably a fluidized bed gas phase reactor.

Abstract: Properties of a polymer produced in gas phase or slurry phase using a dual catalyst such as polydispersity and comonomer incorporation, may be controlled by controlling reaction parameters such as temperature, (co)monomer pressure, hydrogen partial pressure and the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbon. This provides an easy method to control the bimodality of a polymer as well as comonomer incorporation.

Abstract: Properties of a polymer produced using a dual catalyst on the same support, such as polydispersity and comonomer incorporation, may be controlled by controlling reaction parameters such as temperature, monomer pressure, hydrogen partial pressure and the presence of non-polymerizable hydrocarbon. This provides an easy method to control the bimodality of a polymer as well as comonomer incorporation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to produce propylene polymers comprising contacting a metallocene catalyst compound and an activator in a reaction medium comprising propylene, from 0 to 30 volume % of one or more solvents and from 0 to 30 mole % of one or more comonomers, under temperature and pressure conditions below the melting point of the propylene polymer and where: a) the temperature is at or above the critical temperature for the reaction medium, and the pressure is at least 500 kPa above the critical pressure of the reaction medium; or b) the temperature is 1° C. or more above the critical temperature for the reaction medium, and the pressure is at or above the critical pressure of the reaction medium; or c) the temperature is 1° C. or more above the critical temperature for the reaction medium, and the pressure is at least 500 kPa above the critical pressure of the reaction medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of catalyst system or polymerization catalyst and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: A process including: heating to a first polymerization temperature a first mixture including a free radical polymerizable monomer, a free radical initiator, and a stable free radical compound to polymerize only a portion of the monomer, resulting in a prepolymer composition; shearing a second mixture including the prepolymer composition, a continuous phase liquid, and a stabilizing compound to create a miniemulsion; and flowing the miniemulsion within a polymerization reactor and heating the miniemulsion at a second polymerization temperature to form polymeric particles wherein the formation of the polymeric particles occurs while the miniemulsion flows within the reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for controlled radical polymerization using an organosulfur reversible chain transfer agent which consists in preparing polymers having a molar weight of greater than 100 000 g/mol, with a polydispersity index of less than 1.2 for molar weights of less than 200 000 g/mol and of less than 1.4 for molar weights of greater than 200 000 g/mol, with a degree of conversion of monomer of greater than 75% and a polymerization time of less than 8 h, characterized by the control of the flux of initiator radicals in the polymerization medium. The control of the flux of initiator radicals can be achieved by the use of two appropriate polymerization temperatures T1 and T2 or by use of an initiator having a decomposition rate constant which is greater than that of azobisisobutyronitrile at the same temperature.

Abstract: A process for preparing copolymer dispersions that includes subjecting A) one or more vinyl monomer mixtures containing a) OH-free (meth)acrylic esters and/or vinylaromatics, b) hydroxy-functional vinyl monomers and/or hydroxy-functional (meth)acrylic esters, c) ionic and/or potentially ionic monomers capable of free-radical copolymerization, and d)optionally further monomers, other than the compounds of components a)–c), capable of free-radical copolymerization; to free-radical polymerization in the presence of e) compounds according to formula (I) where R1 is an aliphatic, araliphatic or aromatic radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms, R2 is H or CH3, R3, R4 are identical or different aliphatc radicals having 1 to 7 carbon atoms and n is 1 to 4; and subsequently dispersing the resultant copolymer B) before or after addition of a neutralizing agent C) in water. The resulting dispersions can be used to coat substrates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an irradiated crosslinked polyethylene containing reduced free radicals, preferably containing substantially no residual free radical. Disclosed is a process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene by irradiating the polyethylene in contact with a sensitizing environment at an elevated temperature that is below the melting point, in order to reduce the concentration of residual free radicals to an undetectable level. A process of making irradiated crosslinked polyethylene composition having reduced free radical content, preferably containing substantially no residual free radicals, by mechanically deforming the polyethylene at a temperature that is below the melting point of the polyethylene, optionally in a sensitizing environment, is also disclosed herein.

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: Processes for the living polymerization of olefin monomers with terminal carbon-carbon double bonds are disclosed. The processes employ initiators that include a metal atom and a ligand having two group 15 atoms and a group 16 atom or three group 15 atoms. The ligand is bonded to the metal atom through two anionic or covalent bonds and a dative bond. The initiators are particularly stable under reaction conditions in the absence of olefin monomer. The processes provide polymers having low polydispersities, especially block copolymers having low polydispersities. It is an additional advantage of these processes that, during block copolymer synthesis, a relatively small amount of homopolymer is formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous gas phase process comprising polymerizing one or more hydrocarbon monomer(s) in a fluidized bed reactor in the presence of catalyst system or polymerization catalyst and a condensable fluid for a period of at least 12 hours where the bed temperature is less than the Critical Temperature and the dew point temperature of the gas composition in the reactor is within 25° C. of the bed temperature.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of polydienes with a low vinyl content and having a branched structure effected by means of the polymerization of conjugated dienes in the presence of catalysts based on rare-earth compounds. The resulting polymers are characterized in that they have a cis content varying from 80 to 96% and prove to be branched with consequent low viscosity values in solution.

Abstract: A process/apparatus is disclosed for continuously separating a liquid medium comprising diluent and unreacted monomers from a polymerization effluent comprising diluent, unreacted monomers and polymer solids, comprising a continuous discharge of the polymerization effluent from a slurry reactor through a discharge valve and transfer conduit into a first intermediate pressure flash tank with a conical bottom defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to that of horizontal equal to or greater than the angle of slide of the slurry/polymer solids and an exit seal chamber of such diameter (d) and length (l) as to maintain a desired volume of concentrated polymer solids/slurry in the exit seal chamber such as to form a pressure seal while continuously discharging a plug flow of concentrated polymer solids/slurry bottom product of said first flash tank from the exit seal chamber through a seal chamber exit reducer with inclined sides defined by substantially straight sides inclined at an angle to t

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing water-soluble or water-swellable polymer products from acrylic acid and/or acrylic acid derivatives partially or completely neutralized with nitrogen compounds and with exceedingly low levels of residual monomers, which process is characterized by subsequent heating of the polymer product at temperatures of from 120 to 240° C. The polymers produced accordingly are suitable for use as flocculants, dispersants and absorbers.

Abstract: An olefin/aromatic vinyl compound copolymer which is excellent in transparency and which satisfies flexibility and heat resistance simultaneously can be produced by carrying out polymerization in such a manner that at least one of conditions: (a) the polymerization is carried out to an aromatic vinyl compound monomer conversion ratio of at least 50 mol % when the polymerization is completed, and (b) the polymer concentration is at least 10 mass % relative to the polymerization solution when the polymerization is completed, is satisfied, and the olefin partial pressure is changed so that the olefin partial pressure when the polymerization is completed is from 1.3 to 20 times the olefin partial pressure at the initiation of the polymerization.

Abstract: A method for bulk polymerization of monomers having a polymerizable unsaturated bond consisting mainly of an alkyl acrylate, which comprises adding a polymerization initiator having a 10 hours half-life temperature of 41.0° C. or below to the monomers in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.5 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the monomers to initiate polymerization of the monomers, allowing after the reaction initiation the temperature of the reaction mixture to reach a maximum of 100 to 140° C. by the self-exotherm of the reaction system due to the consumption of the polymerization initiator, and thereby polymerizing 15 to 50% by weight of the monomers used.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of amine-functionalized vinyl polymer particles which process comprises suspension polymerizing aminostyrene together with at least one other vinylic monomer and optionally a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: The extremely rapid anionic polymerization rate of polystyrene has made polymerization difficult to control and has prevented large-scale development. This invention uses batch polymerization to utilize the rapid rate of polymerization to complete polymerization from zero to 100% conversion in minutes and turns this rapid rate into an advantage. Polystyrene itself is used as a heat sink to limit and control the maximum temperature reached during polymerization. Adiabatic polymerization increases the polymer temperature to the desired processing temperature of the polymer for either removal of volatile compounds or for direct pellet formation when no solvent is employed. The polystyrene to be used as a heat sink is added either as pellets or is first formed at a low controllable temperature. Extremely low levels of residual monomer are found in the product. This invention also demonstrates techniques to prevent gel formation or to reduce formation to an acceptable level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for purifying copolymer compounds having monovinyl aromatic blocks and conjugated diene blocks by reducing the residual monomer content of the finished polymer. The method and apparatus includes a combination of heat exchangers and devolatilizers used in conjunction with a copolymerization reactor system.

Abstract: The present invention provides such a production process that a low-cost water-absorbent resin having excellent quality can be obtained by reasonable steps in aqueous solution polymerization. The production process for a water-absorbent resin comprises a polymerization setup that includes the steps of: supplying an aqueous solution of a water-soluble unsaturated monomer component including a major proportion of acrylic acid and/or its salt into a polymerization vessel causing shearing action; and then carrying out polymerization, involving crosslinking, of the water-soluble unsaturated monomer and at the same time carrying out fine division of the resultant hydrogel; with the production process being characterized in that the aqueous solution of the water-soluble unsaturated monomer component as supplied into the polymerization vessel has a temperature of not lower than 40° C.

Abstract: A method for controlling resin properties during the production of polyolefins is provided. The method utilizes coordinated manipulation of reaction temperature in combination with a secondary process variable to control resin flow properties to rapidly respond to manufacturing upsets or specification changes to minimize off-grade or transition polymer material when moving from one polymer grade to another, or during a disturbance in a steady state production.

Abstract: Processes for transitioning among polymerization catalyst systems, preferably catalyst systems, which are incompatible with each other. Particularly, processes for transitioning among olefin polymerization reactions utilizing silyl-chromate catalyst systems and metallocene catalyst systems.

Abstract: The process for polymerizing olefins uses a plurality of series-connected polymerization reactors in which at least one of second and subsequent reactors is a vapor-phase polymerization reactor containing a multicomponent gas. The process comprises the steps of: taking the multicomponent gas out of the vapor-phase polymerization reactor; mixing the multicomponent gas with an inert gas which is lighter than at least one component of the multicomponent gas, thereby obtaining a mixed gas; compressing and/or cooling the mixed gas to liquefy a part of the multicomponent gas; discharging at least a part of a gaseous mixture comprising the inert gas and an unliquefied multicomponent gas out of a reaction system; and returning a fluid comprising the remainder of the gaseous mixture and the liquefied multicomponent gas to the vapor-phase polymerization reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a propylene polymer in a multistage polymerisation process comprising the polymerisation of propylene in the presence of a catalyst in a first reaction zone comprising at least one slurry reactor to give a first polymerisation product, transferring said first product to a second reaction zone comprising at least one gas phase reactor and continuing polymerisation of propylene in the gas phase in the presence of said first polymerisation product which is characterised in that the temperature in both the slurry and the gas phase reactor is at least 75° C. and the product of at least one reactor is having an ethylene content in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 wt %. Furthermore, the invention relates to a propylene polymer obtainable by the inventive process, to a propylene polymer which is characterised in that it comprises ethylene comonomer in an amount of 0.05 to 0.5 wt. %, is having a xylene solubles contents of 3.0 wt.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of preparing an acrylic copolymer using as a raw material a monomer mixture comprising 50 mole % or more of a monomer having a polymerizable double bond formed by a carbon atom to which no hydrogen atom is bonded and a carbon atom to which a hydrogen atom is bonded, wherein after the polymerization is carried out at a polymerization temperature of 150° C. or higher, further heating at 80-130° C. is done. The present invention can provide a method of preparing an acrylic copolymer with a low amount of unreacted monomers using high temperature polymerization at 150° C. or higher.

Abstract: A process for preparing aqueous dispersions or water-redispersible polymer powders of polyvinyl-alcohol-stabilized polymers based on vinyl ester(s), and ethylene, by continuous emulsion polymerization with no seed latex, and optionally drying the dispersion, by a) polymerizing in at least two pressurized reactors in series at a temperature of 40 to 100° C. and a pressure of 5 to 100 bar to a residual monomer content of less than 3% by weight, and continuing polymerizing in an unpressurized reactor at 20 to 60° C. and less than 1.

Abstract: A process including: heating to a first polymerization temperature a first mixture composed of a first free radical polymerizable monomer, a first free radical initiator, and a first stable free radical compound to polymerize only a portion of the first monomer, resulting in a prepolymer composition; shearing a second mixture including the prepolymer composition, a continuous phase liquid, and a stabilizing compound to create a miniemulsion; and heating to a second polymerization temperature the miniemulsion to form polymeric particles, wherein there is added to the second mixture, the miniemulsion, or both the second mixture and the miniemulsion at any time prior to the formation of the polymeric particles a second free radical initiator, a second free radical polymerizable monomer, and an optional second stable free radical compound, wherein at least one of the second initiator and the second monomer includes a functional group, wherein the polymeric particles each includes a compound with the functional

Abstract: Ion-exchange materials comprising a polymeric backbone and a plurality of pendent styrenic or fluoridated styrenic macromonomers covalently bonded thereto, wherein the plurality of pendent styrenic or fluorinated styrenic macromonomers comprise a uniform number of styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units, and wherein predominantly all of the styrenic or fluoridated styrenic monomer repeat units have at least one charged group. Processes for making such material, as well as products related thereto, are also disclosed. In a representative embodiment, the ion-exchange material is utilized as a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) for use in a PEM fuel cell.

Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene have from 1 to 30 mol % of alkyl(meth)acrylates and, if desired, other comonomers, and have a residual comonomer content of less than 0.5% by weight in the copolymer. A process for preparing copolymers of this type in a combination of stirred autoclave and tubular reactor is described, as is the use of the copolymers for preparing polyamide molding compositions.

Abstract: It is to provide a process for producing an olefin/aromatic vinyl compound copolymer which is excellent in transparency and which satisfies flexibility and heat resistance simultaneously, with a practically high productivity.

Abstract: A composition, in particular a cosmetic composition, comprising, in an appropriate medium, at least one polymer with a highly specific ordered structure is disclosed. These compositions find a specific application in the field of make-up and are capable of being applied to the skin, semi-mucous membranes and/or mucous membranes. In particular, these compositions can be provided in the form of a transfer-free make-up composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing two-phase polymers based on vinyl ester and ethylene in the form of their aqueous polymer dispersions or water-redispersible polymer powders by means of free-radical initiated emulsion or suspension polymerization of one or more vinyl esters of carboxylic acids having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and ethylene as monomers and, if desired, further monomers copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of one or more protective colloids and/or emulsifiers and, if desired, drying the resultant aqueous polymer dispersion, wherein a first polymerization phase takes place at a low ethylene pressure of P less than or equal to 20 bar and in a second polymerization phase raising the pressure to a level of greater than 20 bar to less than 60 bar, the polymer product having an ethylene distribution of less than or equal to 50% by weight of total ethylene from the first polymerization phase and greater than 50% by weight ethylene from the second polymerization phase.

Abstract: A method of lowering MFR response of a high-melt-flow-rate-polymer-producing metallocene catalyst is provided. The method includes contacting the metallocene catalyst with a sufficient quantity of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene monomer such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with polymerizable reactants under suitable polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 1000. Hydrogen and ethylene may also be present in the polymerization. Additionally a catalyst composition is provided which includes a high-melt-flow-rate-polymer-producing metallocene catalyst and a sufficient quantity of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene monomers such that when the catalyst composition is contacted with a monomer under polymerization conditions, the resulting polymer has an MFR rate in the range of 0.1 to 1000.

Abstract: A process of free-radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization, in which monomers are polymerized in the presence of a N-oxyl radical and by means of special free-radical polymerization initiators at more than 100° C. and at pressures above the vapor pressure of the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A composition, comprising, in a physiologically acceptable medium, at least one polymer with a highly specific ordered structure is disclosed. These compositions find a specific application in the field of caring for the skin, in particular of the face, and more especially for treating, that is to say decreasing, erasing and/or smoothing out, wrinkles and/or fine lines of the skin.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of one or more alpha-olefins having at least 3 carbon atoms, which comprises contacting the monomer or monomers in a polar or non-polar solvent under polymerization conditions with a homogeneous catalyst system including (a) a cationic form of a racemic mixture of a chiral octahedral transition metal complex or of a non chiral octahedral transition metal complex, comprising 1, 2 or 3 bidentate chelating ligands and no cyclopentadienyl ligands and having C1, C2, or C3 symmetry; and (b) an anion of a Lewis acid or a Brönsted acid; and adjusting the pressure so as to obtain either a highly stereoregular polymer or copolymer or an elastomer.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the use of certain ruthenium and osmium complexes that are substantially inactive at a first temperature (preferably about room temperature) but becomes progressively more active at a higher second temperature. This difference in reactivities allows the reaction mixture to be formed and manipulated at the first temperature until polymerization is desired. When appropriate, the reaction mixture is heated to a suitable temperature (preferably greater than 50° C.) to activate the catalyst and to initiate polymerization. Because both the initiation and the rate of polymerization may be controlled with temperature, the inventive methods are especially suitable for ring opening metathesis polymerization (“ROMP”) reactions and for molding polymer articles that require extended pot-lives.