Abstract: A method for reducing the permeation rate of a permeable species through a polymeric material includes identifying a solubility-increasing species in the polymeric material having a reversible affinity for the permeable species, and removing or altering at least a portion of the solubility-increasing species in the polymeric material. In one application, the permeable species is water, and the solubility-increasing species is hygroscopic. A example of a polymeric material is an elastomeric polymer. The solubility-increasing species may be removed in part from an existing piece of the polymeric material by leaching it out. The polymeric material may instead be manufactured with a reduced content of the solubility-increasing species.

Abstract: A multi stage process for the production of polycarbonates having low monomer content is disclosed. The process entails, in sequence, (i) transesterifying in the melt at least one dihydroxyaryl compound with at least one diaryl carbonate in the presence of at least one onium catalyst to produce a polycondensate that contains monomers, (ii) introducing into the polycondensate an inhibitor in an hypostoichiometric amount in relation to the catalyst and (iii) reducing in a finishing reactor the content of monomers in said polycondensate. The polycarbonate thus produced is characterized in that it contains less than 350 ppm of diphenyl carbonate, less than 40 ppm of 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and less than 150 ppm of phenol.

Abstract: A reaction product comprises a polyester-polycarbonate comprising a polyester unit and a polycarbonate unit, a polycarbonate polymer, and a transesterification catalyst. The reaction product has a haze of less than 1.7% as measured at a thickness of 3.2 mm according to ASTM D1003-00. A thermoplastic composition comprising the reaction product and articles formed from therefrom are disclosed. A method of forming the reaction product is also disclosed.

Abstract: Biocompatible polyarylates of tyrosine-derived diphenol compounds and poly(alkylene oxide) dicarboxylic acids, articles formed therefrom and therapeutic uses are disclosed.

Abstract: It is to provide a branched aromatic polycarbonate excellent in hue and excellent in melt properties such as melt strength.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. The multimetal cyanide compound has an ordered structure defined by a cationic catalytic center and an anionic backbone with the anionic backbone spatially arranged about the cationic catalytic center. The anionic backbone is modified with a supplemental anionic spacer to affect the spatial arrangement and catalytic activity of the cationic catalytic center. The supplemental anionic spacer is incorporated into the multimetal cyanide compound to establish the general formula, M1a[M2b(CN)cMd3Xe]f, wherein M1, M2, and M3 are various metal ions and X is the supplemental anionic spacer. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the modified multimetal cyanide compound to form the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: Poly(arylene ether)-polycarbonate block copolymers and methods for their preparation are provided. The block copolymers include structural units derived from a hydroquinone, a poly(arylene ether), and an activated aromatic carbonate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a controllable crosslinking polyaryletherketone with improved properties such as stiffness, heat resistance, and stability as shown by any one of the following structures:

Abstract: A water soluble polymer is provided having two or more oligomers linked to each other by hydrolytically degradable carbonate linkages. The polymer can be hydrolytically degraded into oligomers (e.g., oligomers of ethylene oxide) under physiological conditions. The polymer can be conjugated to biologically active agents such as proteins or peptides to impart improved water solubility, reduced immunogenicity, reduced rate of renal clearance, and increased stability. The polymer is useful in making hydrolytically degradable hydrogels which can be used in drug delivery and related biomedical applications. On example of the polymer is a poly (ether carbonate) of the formula X—O—[(—CH2CH2-O-)n—CO2—]n—(CH2CH2))n -y where X and Y are independently H, alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, or a reactive moiety, and at least one of X and Y is a reactive moiety.

Abstract: A process for the production of polycarbonate having increased end-cap levels, the process comprising adding a terminal blocking agent of the formula: wherein R1 is a propoxy or butoxy and R2 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C30 alkyl, C1-C30 alkoxy, C6-C30 aryl, C7-C30 aralkyl, and C6-C30 aryloxy.

Abstract: A method of making an aromatic dihydroxy diacid dihalide comprises forming a solution of an aromatic dihydroxy diacid in a solvent, contacting the aromatic dihydroxy diacid solution with a halogenating agent; heating the solution under an inert atmosphere to convert from 50 and 100 percent of the aromatic dihydroxy diacid to aromatic dihydroxy diacid dihalide, wherein the time required for the conversion is less than 4 hours, and removing at least a portion of the solvent.

Abstract: A thermosetting polycarbodiimide copolymer of the present invention comprises in a molecule thereof, a soft segment containing at least one residue formed by removing opposite functional end groups of polytetramethylene ether glycol, polyether block amide and polyalkylene carbonate diol having at least two mixed alkylene chains selected from the group consisting of hexamethylene, pentamethylene and tetramethylene; and a hard segment made of polycarbodiimide bonded to the soft segment through at least one bond selected from the group consisting of an urethane bond, a urea bond and an amide bond. The thermosetting polycarbodiimide copolymer can exhibit not only a high heat resistance and a good flexibility, but also an excellent flexing resistance (resistance to 180° bending),and can be, therefore, suitably used in applications of various electronic parts, for example, as materials of base films or cover-lay films for flexible wiring boards, or adhesive films.

Abstract: An improvement to the melt transesterification process for the preparation of polycarbonate is disclosed. The improvement entails adding to the process between its medium viscosity reactor and a high viscosity reactor at least one bridged ester of organic sulphur-containing acid.

Abstract: There are provided a polycarbonate copolymer (A) which has excellent light resistance and heat resistance and comprises an aromatic dihydroxy component comprising 5 to 95 mol % of fluorene-skeleton-containing dihydroxy compound (1) having a specific structure and 95 to 5 mol % of ordinary bisphenol type dihydroxy compound (2), the content of fluorene-9-one in the copolymer being not higher than 15 ppm; and a polycarbonate composition comprising 0.01 to 5 parts by weight of ultraviolet absorber (B) based on 100 parts by weight of the copolymer (A), and the composition comprising the copolymer.

Abstract: A method is provided for making siloxane polycarbonate copolymers and blends of other polycarbonates with such copolymers wherein the copolymers and blends have excellent transparency and physical characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for synthesis of oligomeric cyclocarbonates from epoxy compounds and carbon dioxide in the presence of a catalyst. Star epoxy compounds and their preparation and use in making star cyclocarbonates, star hydroxy urethane oligomers, and star NIPU and HNIPU. Acrylic epoxy compounds, acrylic cyclocarbonates, acrylic hydroxy urethane oligomers, and acrylic NIPU and HNIPU and their methods of preparation.

Abstract: A uniaxially or biaxially oriented film which is made from a specific polycarbonate having a fluorene ring and a glass transition temperature of 165° C. or higher and which has a heat shrinkage factor when it is heated at 90° C. for 500 hours of 0.1% or less, and a ratio of retardation R(450) within the film plane at a wavelength of 450 nm to retardation R(550) within the film plane at a wavelength of 550 nm of 1 to 1.06. This film can be used in a high-quality liquid crystal display device such as a vertical alignment liquid crystal display device and is useful as a retardation film which almost solves a frame problem.

Abstract: Liquid crystal polycarbonates are made by forming a reaction mixture containing (a) an activated diaryl carbonate; (b) at least two species of aromatic diols selected from among resorcinol, 4,4?-biphenol, hydroquinone, methylhydroquinone, 4,4?-dihydroxyphenylether, dihydroxynaphthalene, including in particular the 2,6, 1,5, and 2,7 isomers, 4,4?-dihydroxybenzophenone and 2,6-dihydroxyanthraquinone (anthraflavic acid); and (c) optionally bisphenol A in a maximum amount of 10 mole %; and processing the reaction mixture in a melt transesterification reaction to form a liquid crystal polycarbonate. While the product composition has the same overall characteristics as compositions made using diphenyl carbonate as the donor moiety for the carbonate linkage, they are analytically distinguishable because of limited incorporation of intermediate or end-cap residues derived from the activated diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: Polymeric reagents comprising a polymer attached, either directly or through one or more atoms to a ketone or a related functional group such as ketone hydrate, thione, monothiohydrate, dithiohydrate, hemiketal, monothiohemiketal, dithiohemiketal, ketal, or dithioketal are provided. The polymeric reagents are useful for, among other things, forming polymer-active agent conjugates. Related methods, compositions, preparations, and so forth are also provided.

Abstract: A branched (co)polyformal is disclosed. The (co)polyformal contains structural units conforming to at least one the general formulae (1a) and (1b) wherein each of -E- and -D- independently of one another denote an aromatic radical having 6 to 40 C atoms, k is 1 to 4,000, o is 1 to 4,000, m is z/o and n is (o-z)/o, where z is 0 to o. The branched (co)polyformal is characterized by its reduced water uptake and improved hydrolytic stability. Also disclosed are processes for its preparation and use in the production of molded articles.

Abstract: An optical disk substrate and a light guide plate which are formed from a resin composition comprising 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of compound represented by the following formula (I): based on 100 parts by weight of polycarbonate resin. There can be provided an optical disk substrate formed from the resin composition of the present invention, particularly an optical disk substrate which allows the shape of a stamper to be transferred thereon with high precision and hardly undergoes warpage caused by environmental changes as a high density recording medium, and a light guide plate which has little uneven brightness and hardly undergoes warpage.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of polycarbonate by combining methane and inlet water to produce methanol, converting the methanol to propylene, gasoline aromatics, and gasoline olefins, converting the propylene and gasoline olefins to hydrogen, first benzene, and toluene, reacting the first benzene with propylene to form cumene, reacting the cumene with oxygen to form cumene hydroperoxide, cleaving the cumene hydroperoxide to produce acetone and phenol, reacting the phenol, additional phenol, and acetone to produce a dihydric aromatic compound, and reacting the dihydric aromatic compound with a carbonate precursor to form polycarbonate.

Abstract: A transparent sheet having improved optical properties is disclosed. The sheet that features a deviation angle ?? (min) according to DIN 52305-A-AS of ?2.0 and a refracting power D? (min) according to DIN 52305-A-AZ of ?0.05, is prepared by extruding a molding composition comprising linear (co)polycarbonate having weight average molecular weight of 25,000 to 31,000.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising a linear (co)polyformal is disclosed. The (co)polyformal corresponds to formulae (Ia) or (Ib), in which A independently denotes hydrogen or phenyl, —O-D-O— and —O-E-O— independently denote a diphenolate residue, in which -E- and -D- independently denote an aromatic radical having 6 to 40 C atoms, wherein at least one of —O-D-O— and —O-E-O— denotes 1,1-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane residue. The composition is characterized in its restricted water absorption. Also disclosed is a process for the preparation of the composition.

Abstract: A polycarbonate resin composition obtained by blending a polycarbonate resin (A) obtained by forming a carbonate bond from 95 to 5 mol % of a dihydroxy compound having a fluorene structure represented by the general formula (1) and 5 to 95 mol % of a dihydroxy compound having a dimethanol structure represented by the general formula (2) and a carbonic diester and a polycarbonate resin (B) obtained by forming a carbonate bond from bisphenol A and a carbonic acid diester or phosgene in a ratio of (100×(A)/((A)+(B))=1 to 99% by weight and a polarizing sheet used the same.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an aromatic polycarbonate resin composition having good rigidity and good hydrolysis resistance. The present invention is an aromatic polycarbonate resin composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of aromatic polycarbonate (component A) (B) 0.1 to 20 parts by weight of layer silicate (component B) having 50 to 200 milliequivalents/100 g of cation exchange capacity and ion-exchanged by an organic onium ion represented by the following general formula (I): (wherein M represents a nitrogen atom or a phosphorus atom, R1 and R2 represent an alkyl group having 6 to 16 carbon atoms and may be the same as or different from each other, and R3 and R4 represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms and may be the same as or different from each other), (C) 0.1 to 50 parts by weight of compound (component C) having an affinity for the component A and having a hydrophilic component, and (D) 0.

Abstract: Thermoplastic composition comprising a (meth)acrylic (co)polymer and particles of hollow glass spheres—or a mixture of particles of hollow glass spheres and particles of a mineral and/or organic compound—the said particles scattering light: having a mean size of 0.5 ?m to 200 ?m; possessing a refractive index different from that of the transparent thermoplastic by at least ±0.05; and being used in an amount of 5 ppm to 1000 ppm by weight with respect to the total composition. Corresponding fashioned articles, especially sheets for backlight units.

Abstract: A method of making polycarbonate comprises melt-polymerizing an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a carbonic acid diester in a presence of a polymerization catalyst in a reactor system producing a byproduct stream, wherein the polymerization catalyst comprises a quaternary phosphonium compound; and purifying the byproduct stream to separate the carbonic acid diester, wherein the separated carbonic acid diester has a phosphorous concentration of less than or equal to about 30 parts per million.

Abstract: A cosmetic and/or pharmaceutical composition containing: (a) a polycarbonate having a molecular weight of from about 300 to 100,000; (b) optionally, an oil component; (c) optionally, an emulsifier; and (d) optionally, water.

Abstract: A copolymer composition comprises an arylate polyester unit, an aromatic carbonate unit, and a soft-block moiety, wherein individual occurrences of the soft block moiety are linked by a spacer unit comprising one or more of the arylate polyester units, one or more of the aromatic carbonate units, or a combination comprising each of these. In one embodiment, a soft block moiety comprises a polysiloxane unit. A film of the composition has a percent transmittance of greater than or equal to 60% as determined according to ASTM D1003-00. A method of forming a copolymer composition is disclosed, comprising substantially forming the bis-haloformates of a dihydroxy compound comprising an arylate polyester unit, and a dihydroxy compound comprising a soft-block moiety, and reacting the bis haloformates with a dihydroxy aromatic compound.

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition comprising a matrix of a polycarbonate polymer in which are embedded polysiloxane domains with an average domain size between 20 and 45 nanometers. Said compositions can be obtained by combining a first polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer; with a second polycarbonate/poly(diorganosiloxane) copolymer. A range of translucencies are obtainable by varying the relative amounts of the two copolymers without substantial loss in impact properties.

Abstract: Golf balls comprising thermoplastic, thermoset, castable, or millable elastomer compositions are presently disclosed. These elastomer compositions comprise reaction products of polyisocyanates and telechelic polymers having isocyanate-reactive end-groups such as hydroxyl groups and/or amine groups. These elastomer compositions can be used in any one or more portions of the golf balls, such as inner center, core, inner core layer, intermediate core layer, outer core layer, intermediate layer, cover, inner cover layer, intermediate cover layer, and/or outer cover layer.

Abstract: A process for producing an aromatic polycarbonate oligomer according to an interfacial polymerization method comprising reacting an aqueous solution of a bisphenol compound and phosgene in the presence of an organic solvent in a reactor, removing reaction heat by cooling, utilizing vaporization latent heat of the organic solvent to be used, cooling vaporized organic solvent through a condenser and returning an exhaust gas from the condenser to the reactor and a process for producing an aromatic polycarbonate resin used the same.

Abstract: A method for recovering a product mixture from a waste stream in a diaryl carbonate manufacturing process comprising reacting the waste stream with an alkyl alcohol to form a reaction mixture, and separating the product mixture from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of a high molecular weight polycarbonate resin, and more particularly to a method for preparing a high molecular weight polycarbonate resin using a solid state polymerization method after the preparation of a crystalline polycarbonate or-conducting the preparation of the crystalline polycarbonate and the solid state polymerization thereof simultaneously. According to the method for the preparation of a high molecular weight polycarbonate resin of the invention, it is possible to produce a high molecular weight polycarbonate resin having a narrow molecular weight distribution and uniform properties and that is applicable to injection and extrusion in large quantities with a low cost within a short time.

Abstract: A polycarbonate resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin (component A), 0.01 to 10 parts by weight of at least one ultraviolet light absorber (component B) selected from the group of a specific cyclic imino ester, and 0.01 to 1 part by weight of a fatty acid ester compound (component C) which is an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and an aliphatic carboxylic acid and has a molecular weight of 500 to 2,000 g/mol, as well as molded articles thereof. The polycarbonate resin composition provides molded articles having excellent transparency, color and resistance to ultraviolet radiation, is excellent in heat stability at the time of molding and releasability and fully suppresses the production of a deposit on a metal mold.

Abstract: A polycarbonate generated from the polymerization of a protected hydroxylated bisphenolic compound, a bisphenol, a monophenolic endcapping agent, a bisphenol haloformate, and a curing compound, and thereafter subjecting the obtained polymer to a reaction with an acidic compound. A hydroxylated charge transport compound may also be included in the polycarbonate.

Abstract: An upflow reactor for the production of bisphenol A from acetone and phenol includes a vessel, a catalyst bed disposed within the vessel, and a reactant distribution/product collection system disposed within the vessel. The reactant distribution/product collection system includes a perforated distributor disposed at a lower end of the reactor. The reactant distribution/product collection system further includes a perforated collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor. A method for producing bisphenol A from acetone and phenol Includes Introducing the reacting mixture containing acetone and phenol to the distributor, directing it upward through the catalyst bed, and recovering the reacted acetone and phenol as bisphenol A together with other isomers and non reacted species. A method for avoiding catalyst bead carryover from the bed in an upflow reactor Includes receiving a product of the upflow reactor into the collector disposed at an upper end of the reactor through a screen with proper slit size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously producing an alkyl aryl ether and a diaryl carbonate by reacting a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic alcohol in presence of a transesterification catalyst.

Abstract: The disclosure provides high quality, low yellowness index copolycarbonates comprising structural units derived from at least one aliphatic diol, at least an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a diaryl carbonate. Also disclosed herein is a method of making such copolycarbonates in presence of one or more catalysts.

Abstract: A continuous process for mixing polymer melts with additives, in particular polycarbonate melts with additives in liquid form, in solution or in dispersion is described. The additives are added to a main stream of polymer melt and are then mixed, preferably directly, with the main stream in a static mixer.

Abstract: A composition includes a polycarbonate-polysiloxane block copolymer that has at least one polycarbonate block and at least one polysiloxane block, and a surface modifying agent that includes at least one polysiloxane segment. Increased levels of the surface modifying agent can be incorporated without compromising high transmittance and low haze. The compositions also exhibit improved hemocompatibility and are therefore useful for a variety of articles that may contact blood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing polycarbonate comprising the steps of: (i) introducing to an extruder through a feed port a plurality of reaction components comprising a polycarbonate oligomer, an activated carbonate residue, and a transesterification catalyst, wherein the extruder comprises the feed port, a first back vent port, and a polycarbonate exit port, wherein the feed port is located between the first back vent port and the polycarbonate exit port, and wherein the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the first back vent port is less than or equal to the resistance to flow of the reaction components from the feed port to the polycarbonate exit port; and (ii) extruding the reaction components at one or more temperatures in a range between 100° C. and 400° C., wherein during the extrusion of the reaction components, activated carbonate residue is removed through the first back vent port, thereby preparing a polycarbonate.

Abstract: An aromatic dihydroxy compound conforming to formula 1 is disclosed. Also disclosed are (co)polycarbonates derived from the compound. The novel (co)polycarbonates are characterized by their reduced water uptake and improved flowability.

Abstract: A process for the isolation of polycarbonate produced by the interfacial polymerization process is disclosed. Accordingly, the process entails (a) evaporating the organic solvent from the solution that contains solvent and polycarbonate to obtain a material system that contains 90 to 99.95% polycarbonate, the percent being relative to the weight of the system, and (b) passing the material system through inlet openings of a separating vessel to obtain a plurality of streams of polycarbonate, on entry into the inlet openings said material system being supersaturated with volatile constituents to an extent of at least 1 bar and having a temperature of 250° to 340° C. and a flow rate of 0.1 to 20 kg/hour, and (c) degassing the streams in the separating vessel wherein the pressure is 0.1 to 20 mbar to effect degassing of the polycarbonate.

Abstract: The invention relates to bisphenol monomers containing one or more biaryl units and related polymers, derivatives and resins thereof and more particularly to Bisphenol monomers containing two biaryl units separated by a spacer group X, and to bisphenol monomers containing a biaryl unit and an aryl unit separated by a spacer group X, and to polymers, derivatives, resins and related products prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A method of making a polyether polymer comprises reacting a salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon with a substituted aromatic compound of formula (I) Z(A1—X1)2 ??(I) in the presence of a catalyst to form an intermediate polymer having endgroups, wherein the molar ratio of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon to the substituted aromatic compound is less than 1, Z is an activating radical, A1 is an aromatic radical and X1 is fluoro, chloro, bromo or nitro; determining the additional amount of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon needed to form a final polyether polymer with a predetermined molecular weight and adding the additional amount of the salt of a dihydroxy-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon to the intermediate polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of activated polyethylene glycols, or PEG(NPC)2s, comprising reacting polyethylene glycol with an activator while in the presence of an aromatic nitrogen containing heterocyclic base. The process is carried out at temperatures ranging from about 20 to about 30° C., more preferably at room temperature, and under stoichiometric conditions.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of a polycarbonate which comprises reacting a carbonate precursor with a dihydroxy compound in the presence of an aqueous base in an inert organic solvent optionally containing a molecular weight regulator to form an oligomeric polycarbonate, wherein the reaction between the dihydroxy compound and the carbonate precursor is about 80 to about 99% completed; removing the inert organic solvent and the aqueous base to isolate the oligomeric polycarbonate; and transesterifying the isolated oligomeric polycarbonate to form a polymeric polycarbonate at a temperature and pressure effective to remove trace amounts of residual solvent. This method eliminates some of the problems of the prior art such as the removal of solvent from high molecular weight polycarbonate, which is both cumbersome, energy intensive and expensive.

Abstract: A retardation film comprised of a single oriented polymer film, characterized in that the retardation at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm satisfies the following formulae (1) and/or (2), and the water absorption is no greater than 1%. R(450)/R(550)<1 ??(1) K(450)/K(550)<1 ??(2) where R(450) and R(550) represent the in-plane retardation of the oriented polymer film at wavelengths of 450 nm and 550 nm, respectively, and K(450) and K(550) are the values calculated by K=[nz?(nx+ny)/2]×d (where nx, ny and nz represent the three-dimensional refractive indexes of the oriented polymer film as the refractive indexes in the direction of the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis, respectively, and d represents the thickness of the film) for the oriented polymer film at a wavelength of 450 nm and 550 nm, respectively. There are provided laminated retardation films and liquid crystal display devices employing the retardation film.