Abstract: A branched polycarbonate resin prepared from a divalent phenol, a carbonate precursor, a branching agent, and a chain terminating agent is provided, in which the branching agent is composed of a trisphenol compound represented by the general formula (I). The use of the branching agent brings about excellent washability and permits molding which barely suffers from sagging (blow down) of the melt or stringiness thereof and is accompanied with high melt tension and excellent moldability, thus enabling efficient production of good molded products at high productivity.

Abstract: A transparent antimicrobial thermoplastic molding composition is disclosed. The composition contains aromatic polycarbonate resin and 0.01 to 3.8 of an antimicrobial compound conforming to formula (I) AgaM1bM22(PO4)3??(I) wherein M1 is at least one ion selected from the group consisting of alkali metal ion, alkaline earth metal ion, ammonium ion and hydrogen ion, M2 a tetravalent metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr and Sn, and where a and b are positive numbers where a+mb=1 where m is a valence of M1, the percent being relative to the weight of the polycarbonate. The composition is suitable for molding articles having good appearance and surface qualities.

Abstract: A method for preparing a molded article includes the steps of (a) obtaining a polycarbonate resin and (b) molding the polycarbonate resin. The polycarbonate resin is made by a transesterification reaction using an activated diaryl carbonate such that the polycarbonate is susceptible to the formation of internal ester linkages (IEL). The method occurs with the proviso that the polycarbonate resin, the molding conditions or both are selected to control the amount of IEL formed during the molding process to a level of less than 0.4 mol %.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a specific process that enables aromatic carbonates to be produced with high selectivity and high productivity stably for a prolonged period of time on an industrial scale of not less than 1 ton per hour from a dialkyl carbonate and an aromatic monohydroxy compound using two continuous multi-stage distillation columns. Although there have been various proposals regarding processes for the production of aromatic carbonates by means of a reactive distillation method, these have all been on a small scale and short operating time laboratory level, and there have been no disclosures whatsoever on a specific process or apparatus enabling mass production on an industrial scale.

Abstract: A polycarbonate such as aliphatic/aromatic polycarbonate comprises repeating structural carbonate units of the formula (H-1): in which Rh is a radical having the formula (H-2): wherein each of R11, R12, R13, R14, R15, R16, R17, R18, R19, R20, R21, R22, R23, R24, R25, R26, R27, and R28 is independently a hydrogen, a C1-C6 alkyl group, or a halogen substituted C1-C6 alkyl group. The polycarbonate, and a thermoplastic composition thereof, have improved thermal stability, cost-effectiveness, and exhibit improved manufacturability such as, for example, minimum cyclic carbonate formation and minimum amine acceptor requirement.

Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide a method which enables the production of a high quality, high performance aromatic polycarbonate (which is colorless and has excellent mechanical properties) from a molten aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer obtained from an aromatic dihydroxy compound and a diaryl carbonate, wherein the polycarbonate can be stably produced on a commercial scale at 1 to 50 t/hr for a long time without the need for a large amount of an inert gas. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by a method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate by the melt transesterification process, in which the prepolymer is caused to absorb a specific amount of an inert gas, followed by polymerization using a guide-wetting fall polymerizer device having a specific structure, whereby a high quality, high performance aromatic polycarbonate as mentioned above can be stably produced on a commercial scale at 1 to 50 t/hr for a long time (more than several thousand hours, e.g.

Abstract: A method for producing a transparent article comprises the steps of melt transesterifying a monomer mixture in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to produce a hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product comprising greater than 45 mole percent of structural units derived from the hydroquinone. The monomer mixture comprises a hydroquinone, at least one aromatic dihydroxy compound other than the hydroquinone, and a carbonic acid diester. The hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product is then heated to a highest processing temperature of 5° C. to 20° C. above a maximum melting melt temperature for the hydroquinone copolymer product for a sufficient period of time to render the hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product transparent upon cooling to ambient temperature; and cooling the hydroquinone polycarbonate copolymer product to produce the transparent article.

Abstract: A polycarbonate copolymer comprising 90 to 100 mol % of units derived from a cyclohexylidene bisphenol of the formula wherein Ra? and Rb? are each independently C1-12 alkyl, T is a C5-16 cycloalkylene, a C5-16 cylcloalkylidene, a C1-5 alkylene, a C1-5 alkylidene, a C6-13 arylene, a C7-12 arylalkylene, C7-12 arylalkylidene, a C7-12 alkylarylene, or a C7-12 arylenealkyl, and r and s are each independently 1 to 4; 2 to 35 wt % of units derived from a polysiloxane diol of the formulas or a combination thereof, wherein Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted C6-36 arylene group, each R is the same or different C1-13 monovalent organic group, each R6 is the same or different divalent C1-C30 organic group, and E is an integer from 2 to 100; and 0 to 10 mol % of units derived from a dihydroxy aromatic compound of formula (3) wherein Ra and Rb are each independently halogen, p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 4, and the dihydroxy aromatic compound of formula (3) is not the same as the cyclohexy

Abstract: High-functionality highly or hyper-branched polycarbonates based on dialkyl or diaryl carbonates and on aliphatic diol or polyols, processes for preparing them, and their use for preparing printing inks.

Abstract: Windows and other articles made from dimethyl bisphenol cyclohexane (DMBPC) polycarbonate exhibit enhanced scratch resistance properties and Mw degradation resistance properties as compared to traditional polycarbonates. Such windows and other articles made from DMBPC polycarbonate can be used in various applications including buildings, particularly in agricultural environments and in electronic devices.

Abstract: A method of producing a polycarbonate, the method comprising: polymerizing a dihydric phenol and a carbonate precursor in the presence of oxalic acid to produce a polycarbonate with a yellowness index of less than or equal to 10 measured in accordance with ASTM E313 test method on molded samples having a thickness of about 2.5 millimeters; wherein the amount of oxalic acid ranges from about 20 parts per million to about 350 parts per million, relative to an amount of the dihydric phenol; wherein the dihydric phenol is represented by Formula (I): wherein R is a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and n is an integer having a value of 1 to 4.

Abstract: Provided a process for producing a polycarbonate which comprises reacting an aqueous alkali solution of a dihydric phenol with phosgene in the presence of an organic solvent to produce a polycarbonate oligomer and subsequently polycondensing the oligomer, wherein an emulsion solution of a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent obtained in the polycarbonate oligomer production step is introduced into a coalescer to separate the emulsion solution into a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent phase and an aqueous phase, and the polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent phase is subjected to polycondensation. Thus the emulsion solution of a polycarbonate oligomer-containing organic solvent obtained in the polycarbonate oligomer production step is efficiently separated to reduce the content of impurity-containing water in the oligomer for producing a polycarbonate having excellent quality and to a obtain wastewater having a low content of organic materials.

Abstract: Unexpected corrosion of downstream sections of a dialkyl carbonate manufacturing apparatus has been traced to alkyl chloroformate impurities, which slowly decompose to yield hydrochloric acid. An improved process and apparatus for dialkyl carbonate synthesis reduce corrosion by physically removing or chemically decomposing the alkyl chloroformate impurities within the corrosion-resistant upstream sections of the apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a phenolphthalein material and a primary hydrocarbyl amine in the presence of an acid catalyst to form a reaction mixture comprising 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine, wherein the phenolphthalein material comprises greater than or equal to 95 weight percent phenolphthalein, based on the total weight of phenolphthalein material; quenching the reaction mixture and treating the quenched reaction mixture to obtain a first solid. The first solid is then triturated with a trituration solvent and washed to obtain a second solid, wherein the second solid comprises greater than or equal to 97 weight percent 2-hydrocarbyl-3,3-bis(4-hydroxyaryl)phthalimidine, based on the total weight of the second solid. The second solid may be polymerized to form a polycarbonate.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed having a matte surface and high optical transmission characteristics. The composition comprises a polycarbonate and refractive index compatible polymer particles such as crosslinked polystyrene. The polycarbonate composition is useful for manufacture of anti-glare lenses, ATM screens, decorative articles, and housings for electronic appliances such as a computer.

Abstract: A method for producing a polycarbonate copolymer having structural repeating units represented by formulas (I) and (II): wherein each of R1 and R2, X, R3, R4, Y, a to d and n are defined in the application by reacting (A) a dihydric phenol, (B) a phenol-modified diol and (C) a carbonate precursor, wherein the phenol-modified diol is contains 500 ppm by mass or less of a hydroxybenzoic acid.

Abstract: Colored aromatic polycarbonate resin compositions are prepared by dispersing a colorant (b) selected from phthalocyanine-based compounds, anthraquinone-based compounds and ultramarine blue in a polyalkyleneglycol compound (c) having a number-average molecular weight of 62 to 4000 of formula (2): HO—[—CHR1—CHR2—]m—OH??(2) where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are independently hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups, and m is not less than 1. The dispersion is added to an aromatic polycarbonate resin (a) kept in a molten state which has a viscosity-average molecular weight of not less than 16000 and contains a branched constitutional unit of formula (1): in an amount of 0.3 to 0.95 mol % where X is a single bond, an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, an alkylidene group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms, a cycloalkylene group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms, a cycloalkylidene group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms, or a divalent connecting group —O—, —S—, —CO—, —SO— and —SO2—.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermoplastic article having one or more decorative materials embedded therein which is obtained by applying heat and pressure to one or more laminates wherein at least one of said laminates comprises, in order, (1) an upper sheet material; (2) one or more decorative materials; and (3) a lower sheet material; wherein the upper and lower sheet materials are formed from a polyester/aromatic polycarbonate blend wherein the thermoplastic article comprises at least one polyester composition comprising at least one polyester which comprises terephthalic acid and 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol.

Abstract: This invention concerns a process for the preparation of semicrystalline polycarbonate compositions by synthesizing the polycarbonate in the presence of a sepiolite-type clay as a nucleating agent. The semicrystalline compositions produced are useful as starting materials for the production of high molecular weight polycarbonate by solid state polymerization.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing the color generated during production of copolycarbonate that includes quinone-type residues. The method includes the steps preparing a reaction mixture containing precursors of monomer residues, selecting a catalyst, introduction strategy and adding catalysts according to the strategy. The strategy is sufficient to result in a product copolycarbonate with improved color. The method further includes the steps of introducing the reaction mixture to a series of process units and allowing the reaction mixture to polymerize thereby forming a copolycarbonate. The resulting copolycarbonate has improved color as compared to a copolycarbonate formed in a process without the steps of selecting a catalyst introduction strategy and introducing catalysts according to the selected strategy.

Abstract: A copolycarbonate of the formula wherein 5 to 50 mole percent of the total number of R1 groups is derived from a monomer of formula (2) wherein each Rf is independently at each occurrence a halogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbons, or a halogen substituted hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbons, and n is 0 to 4; and 50 to 95 mole percent of the R1 groups are derived from a dihydroxy compound of formula HO—R5—OH, wherein at least 60% of the R5 groups are aromatic, and the dihydroxy compound of formula (3) is not a compound of formula (2), and wherein the copolycarbonate comprises at least 10% fewer carbonate linkages of formula (4) than would be theoretically obtained in a random copolymer made from the same ratio of the monomer of formula (2) and the dihydroxy compound of formula (3).

Abstract: A thermoplastic composition, contains a polycarbonate resin, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, an aromatic vinyl copolymer, an impact modifier, and a mineral filler, wherein the composition has least about 40% ductility under multiaxial impact strength test conditions per ASTM D3763 at ?30° C. Alternatively, a composition contains a polycarbonate resin, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer in an amount sufficient to provide at least about 2.5 wt. % siloxane by weight of the composition, an aromatic vinyl copolymer comprising SAN, an impact modifier comprising ABS, and a mineral filler. Such compositions may be made by combining, by weight of the composition, polycarbonate resin, a polycarbonate-polysiloxane copolymer, an aromatic vinyl copolymer, an impact modifier, and a mineral filler, wherein the composition has at least 40% ductility under multiaxial impact strength test conditions per ASTM D3763 at ?30° C.

Abstract: A polyacrylate-polycarbonate copolymer comprises a polycarbonate block comprising aromatic carbonate units, and a polyacrylate block derived from a difunctional polyacrylate polymer having the formula Z1-(M)x-Z2 wherein M is an acrylate block unit comprising a reaction residue of a (meth)acrylate monomer, a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, or a combination comprising a (meth)acrylate and a non-(meth)acrylate monomer, at least one acrylate block unit is a (meth)acrylate monomer; x is greater than one; and Z1 and Z2 are each independently functionalized terminal groups of the formula -(A3)y-B, wherein B is a reactive group comprising a hydroxy or non-hydroxy group, A3 an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or an aliphatic-aromatic group, y is 0 or 1, A3 is free of hydrogen atoms beta to B when B is a hydroxy group, and B and A3 are each free of sulfur atoms. A method of making, a thermoplastic composition, and articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polycarbonates incorporating terminal carbonate groups derived from ester-substituted activated carbonates in a transesterification process have unfavorable properties with respect to color, hydrolytic stability and thermal stability, particularly when the polycarbonate containing such end groups is molded. The number of activated carbonate end groups formed during the melt transesterification formation of polycarbonate can be reduced by reacting a dihydroxy compound with an activated diaryl carbonate in the presence of an esterification catalyst to produce a polycarbonate, in the presence of a monohydroxy chainstopper such as para-cumyl phenol in an amount that results in 35 to 65 mol % of the end groups being derived from the monohydroxy chainstopper. Suitably, the reactants are provided such that the molar ratio of activated diaryl carbonate to the total of dihydroxy compound plus ½ the chainstopping reagent that is less than 1.

Abstract: An improved method for the preparation of ester-substituted diaryl carbonates prepared by reacting phosgene with recycle streams of ester-substituted phenols from reaction processes using a tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide catalyst, a tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxide catalyst, or both, where at least one alkyl group of the tetraalkyl ammonium hydroxide or the tetraalkyl phosphonium hydroxide is a methyl group. The improvement includes the step of treating the recycle stream to reduce the concentration of a trialkyl amine, trialkyl phosphine, or both, if present, from the recycle stream prior to reacting it with phosgene to form the ester-substituted diaryl carbonate.

Abstract: Polyalkylene glycol compositions having reduced low molecular weight oligomers are disclosed. Some compositions, particularly polyethylene glycol compositions, have a number average molecular weight range from about 3000 to about 10,000 g/mol and have a total oligomer concentration of less than about 400 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 812 g/mol and a total oligomer concentration of less than about 50 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 240 g/mol. Other polyalkylene compositions, particularly polyethylene glycol compositions, are characterized by a total oligomer concentration of less than about 90 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight less than or equal to 460 g/mol and are obtained without further processing to remove oligomers having a molecular weight of less than about 460 g/mol. Methods for making such compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing a polycarbonate resin having improved thermal stability is provided. The method includes: mixing polycarbonate having hydroxy terminal groups and a end terminator, a compound of formula (1) (refer to the detailed description section) at normal temperature and pressure to obtain a mixture; and performing a melt reaction on the mixture at 250-320° C. and reduced pressure to highly reduce the final concentration of the hydroxy terminal groups of the polycarbonate resin.

Abstract: A method of producing a polycarbonate is provided. In an embodiment of the present invention the method includes the steps of: (i) introducing to a melt polymerization reactor system a reaction mixture having a first dihydroxy compound and an acid stabilizer, a carbonate source, and a polymerization catalyst system containing K2HPO4; and (ii) allowing the reaction mixture to polymerize thereby forming polycarbonate.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyester processes that utilizes a pipe reactor in the esterification, polycondensation, or both esterification and polycondensation processes. Pipe reactor processes of the present invention have a multitude of advantages over prior art processes including improved heat transfer, volume control, agitation and disengagement functions.

Abstract: Moldings can be produced from a polymer powder containing at least one block polyetheramide containing an oligoamide dicarboxylic acid and a polyetheramine; wherein the powder is suitable for use in a layer-by-layer process in which regions of a powder layer are selectively melted via introduction of electromagnetic energy.

Abstract: Polycarbonate is prepared by reactive extrusion on a reactive extruder. A method incorporates the steps of introducing a polycarbonate oligomer, an activated carbonate residue, and a transesterification catalyst to the extruder through a feed section. The extruder has the feed section, a polycarbonate exit section, and a reaction section between the feed section and the polycarbonate exit section. The reaction section is made up of at least one conveying section, kneading sections, and venting sections. The configuration of the reaction section requires that at least one venting section be disposed between each pair of kneading sections, and that the kneading sections and venting sections are selected such that the number of venting sections minus the number of kneading sections is greater than or equal to one. The method further contains the step of extruding the reaction components at a temperature in a range between 100° C. and 500° C.

Abstract: Polycarbonate is prepared by reactive extrusion on a reactive extruder. A method incorporates the steps of introducing a polycarbonate oligomer, an activated carbonate, and a transesterification catalyst to the extruder through a feed section. The extruder has a feed section, a polycarbonate exit section, and a reaction section between the feed section and the polycarbonate exit section. The reaction section has one or more devolatilization units, wherein each devolatilization unit incorporates an array of vent-conveying sections and conveying sections arranged in a configuration of: (C V C)x(V)n, and/or (V C V)x(C)n. (V) is a vent-conveying section, (C) is a conveying section, x is 1 or more, and n is 1 or 0. The extruder screw in the vent-conveying sections and the conveying sections in each devolatilization unit have conveying elements or conveying elements and mixing elements and no elements that create a melt seal in the devolatilization unit.

Abstract: Polycarbonates incorporating terminal carbonate groups derived from ester-substituted activated carbonates, for example terminal methyl salicyl carbonate (TMSC) derived from the use of BMSC as the activated carbonate in a transesterification process, have unfavorable properties with respect to color, hydrolytic stability and thermal stability, particularly when the polycarbonate containing such end groups is molded. The number of activated carbonate end groups formed during the melt transesterification formation of polycarbonate can be reduced, however, without sacrificing the benefits of using an activated diaryl carbonate, and without requiring a separate reaction or additional additives by reacting a dihydroxy compound with an activated diaryl carbonate in the presence of an esterification catalyst to produce a polycarbonate, wherein the molar ratio of activated diaryl carbonate to dihydroxy compound is less than 1 when expressed to at least three decimal places, for example 0.996 or less.

Abstract: It is a task of the present invention to provide a method for producing a high quality, high performance aromatic polycarbonate (which is colorless and has excellent mechanical properties) from a molten aromatic polycarbonate prepolymer obtained by reacting an aromatic dihydroxy compound with a diaryl carbonate, wherein the polycarbonate can be stably produced on a commercial scale at 1 to 50 t/hr for a long time. In the present invention, this task has been accomplished by a method for producing an aromatic polycarbonate by the melt transesterification process, in which the prepolymer is polymerized by a guide-wetting fall polymerizer device having a specific structure, whereby a high quality, high performance aromatic polycarbonate as mentioned above can be stably produced on a commercial scale at 1 to 50 t/hr for a long time (more than several thousand hours, e.g., more than 5,000 hours) without fluctuation of the molecular weight thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to low-viscosity oligocarbonate polyols, their preparation and use. The oligocarbonate polyols are based on diols of formula I below, which are used in combination with a further aliphatic polyol.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions are described which comprise at least one organic sulfoxide, sulfone or sulfide and at least one ketone, ether, ester, amide or carbonate or a mixture thereof. The adhesive compositions also may contain one or more water insoluble polymers such as ABS, PVC and CPVC. Methods of adhesively bonding or welding a first plastic surface to a second plastic surface using these adhesive compositions also are described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of multilayered, shaped articles having high transparency and low haze and in which at least one layer contains at least one polyester comprising 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol and a separate layer which contains a transamidized, homogeneous blend of a least two polyamides. The polyester component and the polyamide component have refractive indices which differ by about 0.006 to about ?0.0006. The small difference in the refractive indices enable the incorporation of regrind into one or more of the layers of the article while maintaining high clarity. These articles can exhibit improved excellent barrier properties and good melt processability while retaining excellent mechanical properties. Metal catalysts can be incorporated into one or more layers to impart oxygen-scavenging properties.

Abstract: A polymer comprising structural units derived from a polycyclic dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a halogen, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons, and an aromatic functionality having 6 to 10 carbons; wherein each occurrence of “n”, “m”, and “p” independently has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and wherein the polymer is substantially linear.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a catalyst for polymerization of aliphatic polycarbonates and a method of polymerizing an aliphatic polycarbonate. This method includes reacting a zinc precursor and organic dicarboxylic acid in a non-ionic surfactant-included solution.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyarylate wherein a bivalent phenol compound having the structure of Formula 1 and an aromatic dicarboxylic acid halogen compound react to prepare a polyarylate, and wherein a nonionic surface-active agent is added. This decreases residual salts and improves the transmittance and the heat-resistance. In Formula 1, R1, R2, R3 and R4 denote the same as illustrated in the description.

Abstract: A thermoplastic molding composition comprising (co)poly(ester)carbonate, and a cyclic oligoformal is disclosed. The composition that is characterized in its lowered water absorption and improved flowability is suitable for a variety of application including in particular optical data storage media.

Abstract: Provided are a catalyst for producing polycarbonate comprising a reaction product obtained by reacting (a) a catalyst carrier containing nitrogen or phosphorus with (b) a palladium compound and (c) a metal compound having a redox catalytic ability and a production process for polycarbonate, comprising a first step in which an aromatic dihydroxy compound and monovalent phenol are reacted with carbon monoxide and oxygen to produce a polycarbonate prepolymer and a second step in which the above polycarbonate prepolymer is subjected to solid state polymerization to produce polycarbonate, wherein the above catalyst is used in the first step described above.

Abstract: A polymer comprising at least one structural unit derived from a dihydroxy compound of Formula (I) wherein R1 is an aromatic divalent functionality having 6 to 60 carbons, R2 can be the same or different at each occurrence and is independently at each occurrence selected from the group consisting of a cyano functionality, a nitro functionality, a halogen, an aliphatic functionality having 1 to 10 carbons, a cycloaliphatic functionality having 3 to 10 carbons and an aromatic functionality having 6 to 10 carbons and “n” is an integer having a value 0 to 3.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a film or sheet comprises deforming a polymeric alloy at a temperature effective to impart to the deformed alloy a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers. A method eliminating comets and veins in an optical film or sheet comprises annealing the film or sheet to a temperature greater than the lowest glass transition temperature of the polymeric resins contained in the alloy. A composition comprises a first polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %; and a second polymeric resin in an amount of about 1 to about 99 wt %, wherein the polymeric resins are blended with a deforming force effective to produce a polymeric alloy having a birefringence retardation of greater than or equal to about 750 nanometers.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing a high-molecular weight modified polycarbonate resin. The method includes a melt condensation polymerization process in which transesterification and quick condensation polymerization are sequentially performed, a spray crystallization process, and a solid state polymerization process. When this method is used, solid state polymerization can be performed without additional drying, milling and fractionation processes so that the operation time and costs are highly reduced. In addition, crystallinity and size of crystallized modified polycarbonate particles can be efficiently controlled to produce a high-molecular weight modified polycarbonate having uniform physical properties in the solid state polymerization.

Abstract: A polycarbonate containing an ether diol residue producible from a polysaccharide and expressed by the following formula (1), and a diol residue expressed by the following formula (2) —O—(CmH2m)—O— ??(2) (here, m is an integer of 2 to 12), wherein said ether diol residue amounts to 65-98 wt. % of all the diol residues, and having a glass transition temperature of 90° C. or higher.

Abstract: A surface of a melt polymerization reactor system having residual reaction components of a melt polymerization reaction thereon can be cleaned by introducing a cleaning agent having a phenolic compound to the polymerization reactor system and into contact with the surface of the melt polymerization reactor system having the residual reaction components of a melt polymerization reaction thereon. The residual reaction components of the melt polymerization reaction include polycarbonate oligomers or polymers or their degradation products. Further, the cleaning agent is maintained in contact with the surface for a period of time and at a temperature sufficient to substantially remove the residual reaction components from the surface.

Abstract: A surface coating composition for providing a self-assembling monolayer, in stable form, on a material surface or at a suitable interface, as well as a method of preparing such a composition and a method of using such a composition to coat a surface, such as the surface of an implantable medical device, in order to provide the surface with desirable properties. The method provides the covalent attachment of a SAM to a surface in a manner that substantially retains or improves the characteristics and/or performance of both the SAM and the surface itself. Covalent attachment is accomplished by the use of one or more latent reactive groups, e.g., provided by either the surface and/or by the SAM-forming molecules themselves.

Abstract: Thermally stable polymers comprising resorcinol arylate chain members are prepared using an interfacial method comprising the steps of: (a) combining at least one resorcinol moiety and at least one catalyst in a mixture of water and at least one organic solvent substantially immiscible with water; and (b) adding to the mixture from (a) at least one dicarboxylic acid dichloride while maintaining the pH between 3 and 8.5 through the presence of an acid acceptor, wherein the total molar amount of acid chloride groups is stoichiometrically deficient relative to the total molar amount of phenolic groups.

Abstract: This invention relates to an extrusion method preparing polycarbonates from a solution of an oligomeric polycarbonate. A mixture of bis(methyl salicyl)carbonate (BMSC), BPA and a transesterification catalyst are first equilibrated at moderate temperatures to provide a solution of polycarbonate oligomer in methyl salicylate. The solution is then fed to a devolatilizing extruder, where the polymerization reaction is completed and the methyl salicylate solvent is removed. The solution comprising the oligomeric polycarbonate can also be pre-heated under pressure to a temperature above the boiling point of methyl salicylate and subsequently fed to a devolatilizing extruder equipped for rapid flashing off the solvent. The method provides polycarbonate with greater efficiency than the corresponding process in which unreacted monomers are fed to the extruder. Additionally, the method of the invention does not require the isolation of a precursor polycarbonate comprising ester-substituted phenoxy terminal groups.