Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising: a compound comprising two or more olefinically unsaturated groups comprising at least on electron-withdrawing functionality linked to a carbon atom of the unsaturated bond; a compound comprising at least two mercapto-functional groups; and a catalyst comprising at least one, optionally blocked, NH-group. The invention further relates to a method for the application of the composition and to the use of the composition as a coating composition or an adhesive.

Abstract: This invention relates to single-component and multi-component catalytic systems using aryl titanates. Aryl titanate compounds are useful as catalysts and co-catalysts in single-component and multi-component catalytic systems (e.g., for the polymerization of macrocyclic oligoesters and the depolymerization of polyesters). Multi-component catalytic systems using aryl titanates allow increased versatility in applications such as liquid molding.

Abstract: A microbial polyhydroxyalkanoate which comprises one or more of monomer units represented by Formula (1), 1

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant plasmids containing a gene coding for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) biosynthesis enzyme and a gene coding for intracellular PHA depolymerase, and a process for preparing (R)-hydroxycarboxylic acid employing the same. In accordance with the present invention, optically pure (R)-hydroxycarboxylic acid can be prepared by culturing E. coli transformed with a recombinant plasmid which expresses intracellular PHA depolymerase of Ralstonia eutropha and PHA biosynthesis enzyme of Alcaligenes latus to give (R)-hydroxycarboxylic acid. The process for preparing (R)-hydroxycarboxylic acid of the invention can be successfully employed in large-scale continuous process with a high productivity by carrying out PHA synthesis and degradation in a simultaneous manner, while enjoying the benefits of simple procedures for harvesting cells and disposing the cell wastes.

Abstract: This invention concerns a method for increasing the polymerization rate of polyester polymers in the solid state by adding a catalytic amount of zinc p-toluenesulfonate to a polyester polymer melt that is essentially free of antimony and germanium, before solid state polymerization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flame retardant polybutyleneterephthalate resin prepared by copolymerizing a phosphorus-based flame retardant represented by the following formula I and a butyleneterephthalate unit: 1

Abstract: A water slurry process is used to prepare a prepreg and to manufacture articles from macrocyclic polyester oligomers. In one embodiment, a process for preparing a water suspension of macrocyclic polyester oligomers includes the steps of contacting a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst with water and a surfactant, and mixing the macrocyclic polyester oligomer and polymerization catalyst with water and the surfactant thereby forming a suspension. In another embodiment, a process for impregnating macrocyclic polyester oligomers for polymerization includes the steps of providing a suspension of a macrocyclic polyester oligomer and a polymerization catalyst in water, applying the suspension to a base material, drying to remove water from the suspension, and pressing the dried suspension to a desired form. In yet another embodiment, a composition of macrocyclic polyester oligomer includes a macrocyclic polyester oligomer, a polymerization catalyst, and water.

Abstract: Functionalized homopolymers and copolymers of &agr;-amino acids of the general formula 1, wherein X is oxygen or sulphur; R1 could be alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl; structure [A]n represents a poly(amino acid) chain based on &agr;-amino acids or their derivatives with protected functional groups, wherein n could be in the range of 1-500; Y is either OH, or a structure of the formula 2, wherein R2 is H or an amino-acid residue, or a structure of the formula 3, wherein Z and Z′ are either NH or O; R3 is a chemical structure selected from alkyls, substituted alkyls, aryls, substituted aryls, or a polymer selected from a group comprising poly(ethylene oxide), poly(propylene oxide) and polybutadiene; P is hydrogen or an acyl group derived from a carboxylic acid selected from the group including alkanoic acids, succinic acid, maleic acid, acrylic acid, phthalic acids and cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids, or it is an acyl selected from a group consisting of compounds accor

Abstract: The present invention provides a PHA (polyhydroxyalkanoate) synthase useful in a process for preparing a PHA, a gene encoding the enzyme, a recombinant vector comprising the gene, a transformant transformed by the vector, a process for producing a PHA synthase utilizing the transformant and a process for preparing a PHA utilizing the transformant. A transformant obtained by introducing a PHA synthase gene from Pseudomonas putida P91 strain into a host microorganism is cultured to produce a PHA synthase or PHA.

Abstract: A plastic lens material comprising a compound in which a part or all of 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate structural units are a cis structure; a production process of the material; a plastic lens composition containing the material; a plastic lens obtained by curing the composition; and a production process of the plastic lens. A plastic lens material free of changing into a white and turbid material during storage for a long period of time is provided.

Abstract: Diesters of dianhydroglycitols can be prepared by esterification of dianhydroglycitols, anhydroglycitols and/or glycitols with alkylcarboxylic or arylcarboxylic acids in the presence of an acid catalyst, the acid catalyst being a macroporous acid ion exchange resin. If glycitols or monoanhydroglycitols are used as the starting material, the reaction temperature is initially of the order of 120° C. and after the dehydration is approximately 140° C.

Abstract: Coexpression of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase and either a fatty acid: acyl-CoA transferase or an acyl-CoA synthetase in cells enables the biosynthesis of polyester materials. Plasmids, bacteria, materials, and methods for the preparation of polyesters are disclosed.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate that comprises a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): 1

Abstract: A plastic lens material comprising a compound in which a part or all of 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate structural units are a cis structure; a production process of the material; a plastic lens composition containing the material; a plastic lens obtained by curing the composition; and a production process of the plastic lens. A plastic lens material free of changing into a white and turbid material during storage for a long period of time is provided.

Abstract: A catalyst for preparing a polyester for a toner, comprising an inorganic tin(II) compound; a polyester resin composition comprising a polyester and the catalyst; and a toner comprising the polyester resin composition. The catalyst for preparing a polyester is suitably used for a toner which is used for developing electrostatic latent images formed in electrophotography, electrostatic recording method, electrostatic printing method, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the salt-resistant Bacillus subtilis var. chungkookjang, accession no. KCTC 0697BP separated from “chungkookjang” a traditional Korean fermented soy bean paste and to its poly-gamma-glutamic acid (or poly-gamma-glutamate, &ggr;-PGA) an edible, soluble, anionic, and biodegradable high molecular-weight polymer.

Abstract: Microorganisms capable of producing novel polyalkanoates having 3-hydroxybenzoylalkanoic acids as monomer units by utilizing benzoylalkanoic acids as starting materials are cultured in media containing benzoylalkanoic acids and saccharides, and the polyhydroxyalkanoates produced in the culture cells are extracted and recovered.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate that comprises a unit represented by the following chemical formula (1): 1

Abstract: A novel polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase derived from a microorganism capable of producing a PHA having a novel side-chain structure and a DNA encoding the amino acid sequence for the synthase are provided. Two PHA synthase proteins (SEQ ID NOs. 1 and 3) derived from Pseudomonas cichorii YN2 (FERM BP-7375) and PHA synthase genes encoding these PHA synthases are provided, respectively (SEQ ID NOs. 2 and 4). A recombinant microorganism is endowed with a PHA producing ability.

Abstract: In the process of the present invention for producing an aliphatic poly(ester carbonate), maleic anhydride, a C2-20 glycol and hydrogen are reacted in the presence of a hydrogenating catalyst. By this process, an aliphatic poly(ester carbonate) having practically satisfactory moldability and physical properties is produced in a short period of time by a simplified method as compared to conventional production processes.

Abstract: The invention is to provide polyhydroxyalkanoate of a novel structure enabling application to wider fields, and a producing method therefor. The invention also provides a biodegradable charge control agent having excellent charging characteristics, excellent dispersibility in the toner resin and improved spent property. The polyhydroxyalkanoate of the present invention is featured by including, in the polymer molecule, a units represented by the general formulas (1) and (2) and at least one of the units represented by the general formulas (3) to (6).

Abstract: A composition that can be used as catalyst is disclosed. The composition comprises, or is produced by combining, (A) a titanium compound; (B) either (i) a complexing agent, (ii) a combination of a complexing agent, hypophosphorous acid or a salt thereof, and optionally a solvent, a zirconium compound, or both, (iii) combinations thereof; (C) a phosphorus compound; and optionally a solvent. Also disclosed is a process that can be used for producing a polyester. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of an esterification or transesterification or polycondensation catalyst composition and a phosphorus compound, a carbonyl compound and an alcohol under a condition suitable for esterification, transesterification, or polymerization. Further disclosed is a process to make polyester with reduced insoluble particles or solids using a phosphorus compound other than the commonly used phosphoric acid.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoate type polyester that comprises one unit % or more of 3-hydroxy-&ohgr;-(4-vinylphenyl)alkanoic acid units. A microbial production method is also provided.

Abstract: A method for preparing a surface-modified calcium carbonate useful in the synthesis of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, etc. to improve the polymer's friction coefficient, which method comprises the step of forming a dispersion comprising calcium carbonate particles and a bi-functional reagent having two functional linking substituents consisting of a first substituent linking to the calcium carbonate particles and a second substituent which can link to the polyester, thereby bonding the calcium carbonate to the polyester through the bifunctional linking reagent; and surface-modified calcium carbonate and polyesters containing same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing highly purified polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) with high yield, by removing cell components other than PHA from cells containing PHA. Moreover, the present invention provides a method for simply removing or reducing chlorine remained in the collected PHA particles, when a treatment with an oxidizing agent containing hypochlorite is performed in the production of PHA as described above. One of the above-described methods comprises a step of treating cells containing polyhydroxyalkanoate with an oxidizing agent containing at least hypochlorite, a step of separating the treated cells into a water-soluble fraction and a water-insoluble fraction, and a step of reducing chlorine remained in the water-insoluble fraction. The step of reducing chlorine may be a step of washing the water-insoluble fraction with a hot water, thiosulfate solution or polar solvent solution containing at least an organic polar solvent in which polyhydroxyalkanoate is insoluble.

Abstract: A novel dielectric composition is provided that is useful in the manufacture of integrated circuit devices and integrated circuit packaging devices. The dielectric composition is prepared by imidizing and curing an oligomeric precursor compound comprised of a central polybenzoxazole, polybenzothiazole, polyamic acid or polyamic acid ester segment end-capped at each terminus with an aryl-substituted acetylene moiety such as an ortho-bis(arylethynyl)aryl group, e.g., 3,4-bis(phenylethynyl)phenyl. Integrated circuit devices, integrated circuit packaging devices, and methods of synthesis and manufacture are provided as well.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester, the process comprising the steps of (1) fermenting a saccharide with a microorganism to obtain at least one substituted &agr;-hydroxy acid represented by the formula: HO—CHR—COOH (wherein R represents a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms), and (2) polymerizing the substituted &agr;-hydroxy acid or a derivative thereof.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process for the isolation of polyhydroxybutyrate of the formula 1 1

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition suitable for catalysis in a process for the manufacture of polyester containing as Component I a carrier substance on which catalytically effective metal compounds are adsorbed and as Component II a phosphonic acid compound.

Abstract: A curable nitrocellulose based coating composition having four essential components: nitrocellulose, polymerizable reactive diluents whose homopolymers have glass transition temperatures both above and below 25° C. and acrylated urethane. The composition may also contain an initiator whereby thermal or light curing of the composition can be achieved.

Abstract: Process of gelification of aqueous medium with a copolyester oligomer comprising essentially oxyalkylenated or ocycycloalkylenated or polyoxyalkylenated dicarboxylate units at least 35 mole % of said units being similar units of which the correspondent homolymer is crystalline, at least 7 mole % of said units being bearing units of hydrophobic(s) sulfonated functions, the molecular mass in weight of said copolyesters oligomer being less than 20,000. For example: the terephtalic polyoxyethylenated sulfonated oligomers of high content of polyethyleneterephtalate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a patterned layer of a polymer material having a cholesteric order, in which the material is oriented in such a way that the axis of the molecular helix of the cholesterically ordered material extends transversely to the layer, and in which the layer is patterned in that it comprises at least one region in which the pitch of the molecular helix differs from that of another region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a manufacturing method of copolyester for low acetaldehyde content of PET bottles. The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer is added with an appropriate modifier in order to decrease the production of acetaldehyde caused by pyrolysis side reaction during the blow molding process of PET bottles. The modifier comprises stabilizer and primary antioxidant, wherein the stabilizer is an inorganic phosphorous compound with an addition quantity of 0.003˜0.5 weight % based on the weight of the total copolyester copolymer and the primary antioxidant is a hindered phenolic antioxidant containing Ca+2 with an addition quantity of 0.005˜5.0 weight % based on the weight of the total copolyester copolymer. The present invention owns an improving effect of decreasing the production of side product—acetaldehyde at least 30% than those without the addition of said modifier.

Abstract: A composition that can be used as catalyst is disclosed. The composition comprises, or is produced by combining, (A) a titanium compound; (B) either (i) a complexing agent, (ii) a combination of a complexing agent, hypophosphorous acid or a salt thereof, and optionally a solvent, a zirconium compound, or both, (iii) combinations thereof; (C) a phosphorus compound; and optionally a solvent. Also disclosed is a process that can be used for producing a polyester. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of an esterification or transesterification or polycondensation catalyst composition and a phosphorus compound, a carbonyl compound and an alcohol under a condition suitable for esterification, transesterification, or polymerization. Further disclosed is a process to make polyester with reduced insoluble particles or solids using a phosphorus compound other than the commonly used phosphoric acid.

Abstract: A method to regulate copolymer structure using lipase catalyzed transesterification reactions, by selecting a first reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, selecting a second reactant from the group consisting of polymers and monomers, and combining the first reactant, the second reactant, and a lipase in a reaction vessel and allowing the ensuing transesterification reaction to proceed resulting in a polymer. The method allows one to regulate the copolymer repeat unit sequence distribution, and may take place with chain-length specificity such that activation of chains for exchange reactions with other chains or monomers can occur preferentially at certain locations along the chain.

Abstract: Processes for preparing linear polyesters by reacting a dicarboxylic acid having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, a polyol having from 2 to 15 carbon atoms, a low-boiling primary alcohol and a catalytic-effective amount of a lipase, wherein the reaction mixture is free of additional solvents; are described. The use of such linear polyesters in cosmetics is also described.

Abstract: A composition that can be used as catalyst is disclosed. The composition comprises, or is produced by combining, (A) a titanium compound; (B) either (i) a complexing agent, (ii) a combination of a complexing agent, hypophosphorous acid or a salt thereof, and optionally a solvent, a zirconium compound, or both, (iii) combinations thereof; (C) a phosphorus compound; and optionally a solvent. Also disclosed is a process that can be used for producing a polyester. The process comprises contacting, in the presence of an esterification or transesterification or polycondensation catalyst composition and a phosphorus compound, a carbonyl compound and an alcohol under a condition suitable for esterification, transesterification, or polymerization. Further disclosed is a process to make polyester with reduced insoluble particles or solids using a phosphorus compound other than the commonly used phosphoric acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to resin intermediates and their preparation. The invention also relates to hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polymers formed from the intermediates and compositions containing the water-dispersible polymers. A preferred composition of the invention is a zero volatile organic content (VOC), ambient-cure enamel composition which contains a hydroxyl-functional, water-dispersible polyester.

Abstract: A process for producing a polyester. The process comprises polymerizing a polymerization mixture comprising (i) a carbonyl compound or an oligomer of a carbonyl compound and (ii) a glycol, in the presence of a titanium catalyst composition, to produce the polyester, wherein a coated titanium dioxide comprising a titanium dioxide and a coat is added before or during the polymerizing.

Abstract: Macrocyclic oligoesters and compositions comprising macrocyclic oligoesters are prepared from intermediate molecular weight polyesters. In one embodiment, a diol is contacted with a dicarboxylic acid or a dicarboxylate in the presence of a catalyst to produce a composition comprising a hydroxyalkyl-terminated polyester oligomer. The hydroxyalkyl-terminated polyester oligomer is heated to produce a composition comprising an intermediate molecular weight polyester which preferably has a molecular weight between about 20,000 Daltons and about 70,000 Daltons. The intermediate molecular weight polyester is heated and a solvent is added prior to or during the heating process to produce a composition comprising a macrocyclic oligoester. An optional step is to separate the macrocyclic oligoester from the composition comprising the macrocyclic oligoester.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for preparing modified condensation polymers wherein the steps include: preparing a polymer colloid system comprising a first polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; introducing the polymer colloid system into a condensation reaction medium prior to or during the condensation reaction, wherein the condensation reaction medium comprises (1) a diacid, di-isocyanate, dialkyl carbonate, diaryl carbonate, dihalo carbonate or a mixture thereof, wherein the condensation reaction medium optionally comprises a diol component; and polymerizing the diol component and component (1), thereby forming a modified condensation polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing aliphatic polyester wherein a crystallized aliphatic polyester prepolymer formed from an aliphatic dihydric alcohol and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid and having a weight-average molecular weight of 2,000 to 100,000 is caused to undergo solid-phase polymerization in the presence of a volatile catalyst to make an aliphatic polyester having a weight-average molecular weight of 50,000 to 1,000,000. This process is more efficient than any prior process calling for a complicated step for catalyst removal, since it enables the removal of the catalyst from the reaction system during and/or after solid-phase polymerization. The polyester is comparable in stability to any aliphatic polyester having any catalyst removed therefrom.

Abstract: The invention pertains to methods for preparing modified condensation polymers wherein the steps include: (a) preparing a polymer colloid system comprising a first polymer dispersed in a liquid continuous phase; (b) introducing the polymer colloid system into a glycolysis reaction medium prior to or during a glycolysis reaction wherein the glycolysis reaction medium comprises a polyester, copolyester, polyesteramide, polycarbonate or a mixture thereof; wherein the glycolysis reaction medium optionally comprises a diol component; and polymerizing the fully or partially glycolyzed polyester, copolyester, polyesteramide, polycarbonate or mixture thereof, thereby providing a condensation polymer/first polymer matrix.

Abstract: For the preparation of powders formed of copolyesteramides by anionic polymerization, at least one lactam and at least one lactone are copolymerized in solution in a solvent in the presence of a catalyst and of an activator, the solvent being a solvent of the lactam and the powders being insoluble in the solvent. Preferably at least two lactams and at least one lactone are copolymerized, and the copolymerization is preferably carried out in the presence of a finely divided organic or inorganic filler. The copolymerization is preferably carried out in the presence of an N,N′-alkylenebisamide, such as ethylenebisstearamide (EBS) disclosed in EP 192 515, or generally amides of formula R1—NH—CO—R2, in which R1 can be replaced by an R3—CO—NH— or R3—O— radical and in which R1, R2 and R3 denote an aryl, alkyl or cycloalkyl radical.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermosetting composition which comprises: (A) a polyhemiacetal ester resin having a repeat unit represented by formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are a bivalent organic group, and Y is an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, and (B) a compound having in the molecule two or more reactive functional groups which can form a chemical bond with the carboxyl group, and optionally, (C) an acid catalyst. The thermosetting composition gives cured products having excellent chemical properties, physical properties, adhesion, smoothness and weathering resistance at relatively lower temperatures and have excellent storage stability, and can be utilized as solvent cutback type, solventless liquid type of 100% effective component or powder thermosetting compositions.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a succinimide copolymer by the catalytic co-polymerization of aspartic acid with a selected polyfunctional monomer in the presence of a cyclic carbonate solvent. Succinimide copolymers of relatively high weight average molecular weight and high purity can be produced in relatively high yields while employing a relatively low catalyst loading.

Abstract: A method is provided for isolating and purifying PHA from microbial or plant biomass that contains PHA. The method includes the step of extracting PHA from the biomass using at least one solvent while simultaneously subjecting the biomass to a filtration process to remove cells. In a preferred embodiment of the method, an aqueous slurry of the biomass is directly extracted by diafiltration using an organic solvent. In a preferred diafiltration process, an aqueous slurry of microbial cells comprising PHA is recirculated through a filtration membrane, wherein the membrane has a pore size sufficiently small to reject individual cells or such aggregates of cells as may exist in the slurry.

Abstract: A method for producing a liquid crystalline polyester comprising the steps of

Abstract: This invention is an improvement upon the known process for polymerization of PTT by esterification of TPA or DMT with PDO, precondensation of the esterification product to produce a precondensation product, and polycondensation of the precondensation product to produce PTT and, optionally, solid stating of this product to produce higher intrinsic viscosity PTT.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for producing a polyester from a dicarboxylic acid and a diol, which comprises polycondensing the dicarboxylic acid and the diol under the presence of a distannoxane catalyst. Also, the present invention is a process for producing a polyester which comprises melt polycondensing the dicarboxylic acid and the diol under normal pressure in the presence of the distannoxane catalyst, wherein an organic solvent which dose not dissolved any of the dicarboxylic acid, the diol and the polyester produced from the dicarboxylic acid the diol is present and, whereby, two phases are mainly present.