Abstract: A metal (M) alkyl acid phosphate catalyst for the reaction of an epoxy compound with a carboxyl compound to provide a coating formulation that is stable at room temperature; that is humidity resistant, and non-yellowing, wherein the alkyl acid phosphate has the formula: (RO)n—(P═O)—(OH)m and wherein: a. each R is selected from the group consisting of: i) a C1 to C18 alkly, cycloalkyl, or aryl; ii) a linear or branched C6 to C18 alkyl substituted with —(O—CH2—CH2—)o or —(O—CH—CH3—CH2—)p, wherein o or p is from 1 to 20; iii) a &bgr;-hydroxyethyl compound, R′—X—CH2—CH—OH—CH2—, wherein R′ is a C6 to C18 alkyl or cycloalkyl or aryl, X is either —CH2—, —O— or —COO—; b. n+m=3 and n is between 2 to 1; and c. M is Zn or Sn (II) in a mole equivalent of 0.7 to 1.5 moles per mole of alkyl acid phosphate.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing oxiranes, oxetanes, oxepanes, dioxolanes, trioxanes, and tetrahydrofurans to their respective polymers by contacting them with a selected metal compound is disclosed; and also a process for depolymerizing polytetrahydrofurans to monomeric tetrahydrofurans by contacting the polymer with a selected metal compound at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. The catalysts may be in solution or part of a heterogeneous solid, and selected organic compounds are used as accelerators in the polymerizations. The polymeric products, some of which are novel, may be used as polyether monomers for further polymerization, as by reaction with isocyanates to produce polyurethanes, and other useful polymers. Some of the polymeric products are relatively high in molecular weight and are suitable for direct use, for instance as spandex fibers.

Abstract: In preparing a polyacetal copolymer through copolymerization of trioxane as the principal monomer with a cyclic ether or cyclic formal having at least one carbon-carbon bond as the comonomer, 0.05 to 100 ppm (on the weight basis), based on the total amount of the monomers, of a heteropoly-acid or an acidic salt thereof is used as a polymerization catalyst, and a liquid mixture preliminarily prepared by mixing at least part or the whole of the comonomer with the polymerization catalyst is added to trioxane to effect copolymerization. According to such the process, the polymerization yield and the degree of polymerization (molecular weight) are enhanced, and a polyacetal copolymer having an improved stability can be obtained.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing oxepanes, dioxolanes, trioxanes, and tetrahydrofurans to their respective polymers by contacting them with a selected metal compound and an accelerator which is a selected vinyl ester or a selected phosphorous compound.

Abstract: Cyclic polyoxymethylene having a number-average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000 is obtained by solid state cyclization reaction of an alkalidegradative linear oxymethylene homopolymer in the presence of a medium containing a cationic catalyst.The cyclization is effected at 10.degree. to 150.degree. C. for 1 to 500 minutes in an organic liquid medium.The reaction mixture obtained by the cyclization is treated with an alkaline medium to hydrolyze and remove away unreacted linear polyoxymethylene homopolymer, and isolate the cyclic polyoxymethylene.The product has a sharp molecular weight distribution and is useful as a resin improver.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel compounds which are useful as initiators for cationically polymerizable monomers. The novel compounds comprise a carbon containing cation (e.g., trimethyloxonium) which is capable of initiating cationic polymerization and a non-nucleophilic counterion which is an at least partially fluorinated hydrocarbylsulfonato metallate (e.g. perfluoroethylsulfonato-aluminate). The disclosed initiators are capable of initiating the cationic polymerization of a wide variety of monomers such as epoxides, tetrahydrofuans, oxazolines, vinyls, lactones, and the like.

Abstract: Acetal polymer having a high degree of polymerization is obtained using a catalyst of a heteropoly acid or an acid salt thereof in a small amount. The catalyst is represented by formula:H.sub.x [M.sub.m .multidot.M'.sub.n O.sub.l ]yH.sub.2 O (1)whereinM: a central element constituted of at least one member selected from among P, B, Si, Ge, Sn, As, Sb, U, Mn, Re, Cu, Ni, Ti, Co, Fe, Cr, Th and Ce,M': at least one ligand element selected from among W, Mo, V and Nb, m: 1 to 10, n: 6 to 40, l: 10 to 100, x: an integer of 1 or above, and y: 0 to 50.

Abstract: Cyclic formals, other than trioxane, form macromers with an olefinically unsaturated alcohol which functions as a propagating species to form a macromer of polyformal having a molecular weight generally less than about 10,000. A cationically ring-openable ether may be used to provide a polyether spacer in the alkenyl alcohol so that the macromer of polyformal formed contains a polyether block. Thus, the polyformal macromer may have a acryloyl, allyl, or styryl head group. Macromers of polyformal block copolymers are formed sequentially by first forming the block of first formal and then without isolating the macromer so formed, sequentially polymerizing a second formal monomer to form the second formal block. A macromer of randon copolymer may be formed with one or more cyclic formals or a cyclic ether. Macromers of random copolymers may also be formed with formaldehyde or trioxane.

Abstract: Cationic paint binders, particularly binders of the type used in cathodic electrodeposition coatings which crosslink through transesterification, transamidation, transurethanization, or through the reaction of chain end double bonds catalyzed with a condensation product of a dialkyltinoxide and a compound carrying at least one hydroxyl group are described. The hydroxyl compounds are the aliphatic alcohols, phenols, alkanolamines, or the reaction products of primary amines with monoepoxy compounds. The catalysts of the invention provide very good stability and good compatibility in aqueous cationic paint materials.

Abstract: Furfuryl alcohol-formaldehyde resins which can be prepared by using a water soluble multivalent metal salt as the catalyst, thereby eliminating the use of an acid catalyst and the necessary attention it requires.

Abstract: The object of the invention are new thermoset polymers and prepolymers, a process for their preparation, and their uses. The new thermoset prepolymers consist, at least in part, of the polycondensation products of one or more pyridine derivatives containing at least two activated methyl groups with one or more aromatic monoaldehydes containing at least one hydroxyl group. These prepolymers are used to prepare composite materials, in particular laminates, that can be used at high temperatures.

Abstract: There are provided metal containing polymeric coordination compounds which are prepared by a process which comprises reacting metal salts with polydentate ligand molecules obtained by the condensation of aromatic dialdehydes with .beta.-hydroxy-.alpha.,.gamma.-diamines. The above are electrical semiconductors. Such polymers containing platinum have a biological activity.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyacetal copolymer, which comprises copolymerizing formaldehyde and a compound selected from the group consisting of alkylene oxides, poly(alkylene oxides), cyclic formals and poly (cyclic formals) in the presence of a Lewis acid and an anionic polymerization catalyst with the exception of metal chelate compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of low molecular weight polyesters directly from hydroxypivaldehyde. The process comprises reacting dry hydroxypivaldehyde with a diester, a multifunctional ester, a diacid, a polyester, or a mixture thereof at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 230.degree. C. in the presence of a transesterification catalyst. Optionally, modifying glycols, triols, or polyols may also be added. Suitable catalysts include tetraisopropyl titanate, dibutyltin oxide, lithium hydroxide, and lithium alkoxide, with tetraisopropyl titanate being especially preferred. The reaction is preferably accomplished in two stages by heating the reaction mixture to about 130.degree. C. for about three hours and subsequently heating the reaction mixture to about 190.degree.-230.degree. C. until the reaction is essentially complete.

Abstract: Undesirable deposition of polyoxymethylene onto the inner wall of a polymerization vessel and onto a stirrer, which deposition is observed in the slurry polymerization of formaldehyde carried out in an inert organic liquid medium in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, can be minimized by carrying out the slurry polymerization in the presence of at least one polyvalent metal salt selected from polyvalent metal salts of alkylsalicylic acids and polyvalent metal salts of dialkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid. Optionally, a polyethylene glycol monoether may be used in addition to the polyvalent metal salt.