Abstract: A polyamide and a process for preparing the polyamide are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of pulverulent, cationic, crosslinked polymers based on monoethylenically unsaturated monomers containing a quaternized or quaternizable nitrogen atom comprises carrying out the polymerization in supercritical carbon dioxide as inert diluent with mixing at from 31° C. to 150° C. and above 73 bar.

Abstract: The present invention includes a two-layer imageable element, including: a substrate, a top layer including a first thermally imageable composition including (a) a first thermally sensitive supramolecular polymer or (b) a thermally imageable composition free of the first thermally sensitive supramolecular polymer; and disposed between the substrate and the top layer, a bottom layer including a second thermally imageable composition, which includes a second thermally sensitive supramolecular polymer. The present invention also includes a method of producing the imaged element.

Abstract: The present invention also includes an imageable element, comprising a substrate and a thermally imageable composition comprising a thermally sensitive polymer which exhibits an increased solubility in an aqueous developer solution upon heating. The thermally sensitive polymer includes at least one covalently bonded unit and at least one thermally reversible non-covalently bonded unit, which includes a two or more centered H-bond within each of the non-covalently bonded unit. The present invention also includes a method of producing the imaged element. The present invention still further includes a thermally imageable composition comprising comprising a thermally sensitive polymer according to the present invention and a process for preparing the thermally sensitive polymer, which is a supramolecular polymer.

Abstract: A polymer comprising monomeric units linked via 4 H-bridges and bound within said polymer via a different bond. The bond via the H-bridges is much stronger than with known supramolecular polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbodiimide-based block copolymers, a method of preparing them and also their use as hydrolysis stabilizers in ester-group-containing polymers.

Abstract: A two-step process for the production of polyamides from .alpha.,.omega.-dinitriles and .alpha.,.omega.-diamines involving the catalytic hydrolysis of the .alpha.,.omega.-dinitrile by addition of water with simultaneous purging of the reactor (i.e., venting of ammonia and water vapor) in the first step followed by polymerization by addition of the .alpha.,.omega.-diamine to the hydrolysate in the second step. Such a process is particularly useful in the production of poly(hexamethylene adipamide), i.e., nylon 6,6, from adiponitrile and hexamethylene diamine using lower catalyst levels during hydrolysis and resulting in reduced levels of bis(hexamethylene)triamine, BHMT, in the polymer.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of a dinitrile (e.g., adiponitrile) utilizing from 0.1 to 500 mmoles of catalyst (e.g., a mixture of phosphorous acid and calcium hypophosphite) per mole of the dinitrile and in the presence of from 0.01 to 0.5 moles of a dicarboxylic acid cocatalyst (e.g., adipic acid) followed by addition of a diamine (e.g., hexamethylenediamine) and heating to produce polymerization. Such a process is particularly useful in the production of nylon 6,6 having a low BHMT content and improved melt stability.

Abstract: A process for the hydrolysis of a dinitrile (e.g., adiponitrile) utilizing a dicarboxylic acid (e.g., adipic acid) as the sole catalyst followed by addition of a diamine (e.g., hexamethylenediamine) and heating to produce polymerization. Such a process is particularly usefull in the production of nylon 6,6 having a low BHMT content and improved melt stability.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer compositions comprising a fiber-containing composition derived from cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers or mixtures thereof which is at least partially coated with a partially hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing polymer derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: A method for the production and use of a catalytically-acting liquid system is offered, which has no or only a small proportion of free lactam, and which is of low viscosity and good storage stability and which directly initiates the anionic lactam polymerization.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing shaped parts by polymerization of lactams in a mold includes the steps of providing a melt consisting of at least one catalyst, at least one activator, and amino-terminated polyethers in a mold and providing as the catalyst a 17% by weight solution of sodium lactamate in an amount of 1.0 weight-% to 3.8 weight-%.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer having specific physiochemical properties by forming a first module having a structure which includes at least two structural diversity elements suitable to impart a desired physical property to a polymer which is made from said monomer; and reacting one or more modules to form a polymer having specific physiochemical properties. The base module can be formed by reacting a first compound having at least one structural diversity element and a first reactive group, with a second compound having at least one structural diversity element and a second reactive group, wherein the first and second groups combine by an addition reaction. Specifically, an aminimide compound, an oxazolone compound or derivatives thereof are useful as base modules in the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to polymerisable double-bond derived polyamides obtainable by reacting the polyamide in an aqueous solution with a compound which contains both a polymerisable double bond and an oxirane ring. These derived polyamides may be processed to provide graft polymers with improved properties.

Abstract: New photosensitive polyamic acid precursors are disclosed which have the formula: ##STR1## where Z is a tetravalent organic radical which contains at least one aromatic ring, Z' is a divalent organic radical which contains at least one aromatic ring, and R* is a photo polymerizable group. Particularly preferred compounds include BPDA-PDA and BPDA-ODA polyamic acid precursors. The precursor compositions within the practice of this invention are i-line, g-line, and i-/g-line active and show good photoresolution. The films formed exhibit excellent self-adhesion and adhesion to glass ceramic and silicon wafer substrates have low internal stress, a very low degree of solvent swelling, high thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties such as high modulus/tensile strength and high elongation at break.

Abstract: A liquid system for executing the anionic lactam polymerization is proposed, which contains activator as well as catalyst and selectively additives and which is liquid at room temperature and remains stable when stored.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of caprolactam to nylon-6 polymer, comprising the use of a polymerization accelerator having the structural formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are alkyl, aryl and aralkyl radicals and mixtures thereof, and X is a halogen ion other than iodide and the temperature of said polymerization process is carried out at between about room temperature and about 115.degree. C.

Abstract: A para-oriented polyamide porous film comprising a fibril having a diameter of not more than 1.mu., with fibrils planarly arranged as a network or nonwoven fabric and laminated in a layer, the thermal linear expansion coefficient at 200.degree.-300.degree. C. within .+-.50.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree.C. and 30-95% vacant spaces. Also, a battery separator using the porous film. Also, a production process of: (a) forming a film-like material from a solution containing 1-10% of a para-oriented aromatic polyamide having an inherent viscosity of 1.0-2.8 dl/g and 1-10% of a chloride of an alkali metal or an alkali earth metal in a polar amide or polar urea solvent; (b) maintaining the film-like material at not less than 20.degree. C. and not more than -5.degree. C.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a polyamide by polymerizing a diacid and a diamine, aminocarboxylic acid or lactam in the presence of excess of either acid or amine such that the ratio of acid to amine end groups or the ratio of amine end groups to acidend groups in the polymer is at least 2.0:1.0.

Abstract: The purification process comprises removing carboxylic acids and/or carboxylic acid salts contained as impurities in a fluorinated polyether having at at least one end thereof a terminal vinyl group linked thereto through an amide group-containing linkage by heating, in the presence of an amine compound such as triethylamine and dimethylaminotrimethylsilane, the fluorinated polyether containing said impurities or a reaction mixture obtained after the completion of reaction in a process of producing said fluorinated polyether. According to the purification process, the impurities can be easily removed from said fluorinated polyether. When the thus purified fluorinated polyether is used as a starting material for an addition type curable composition together with a SiH group-containing organosilicon compound, a liquid rubber material excellent in curability and storage stability can be obtained.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of polyamino acids, with controlled molecular weights, by polymerization of N-carboxyanhydrides (NCAs) of at least one amino acid, using at least one initiator of the strong base type and in liquid medium, characterized in that it consists in including, in the liquid reaction medium, given amounts of water and/or of alcohol. Application: synthesis of polyamino acids with mechanical and rheological characteristics adapted to applications as biomaterials.

Abstract: There are proposed a method and a device for manufacturing polyamides, in which polyamide granulate manufactured by polycondensation in the molten mass is after-condensed in the solid phase, being heated. The polyamide granulate is heated in one step to a first temperature of between 70.degree. C. and 150.degree. C., and held for a predetermined period of time at this temperature, and then, in a second step, is heated to a second higher temperature, however lying beneath the melting point, and is after-condensed at this temperature, until the desired average degree of polycondensation is achieved.

Abstract: An agent for improving surface quality of paper comrising an acrylamide resin composition obtained by hydrolyzing an acrylamide resin which is obtained by polymerizing an acrylamide monomer in the presence of a urea compound, or copolymerizing an acrylamide monomer and an acrylonitrile monomer; an acrylamide monomer and a cross-linking agent; or an acrylamide monomer, an acrylnitrile monomer and a cross-linking agent in the presence of a urea compound. This agent provides paper with excellent surface strength, tensile strength and internal strength far better than conventional paper quality improving agents.

Abstract: A continuous process for activated anionic lactam polymerization is proposed, wherein a liquid system is employed, which simultaneously contains activator and anionic catalyst for the polymerization of lactam.

Abstract: Disclosed are cosmetic melanins of different colors produced by procedures involving oxidative polymerization of monomeric precursors of melanin and/or co-monomers that enhance substantivity or adherence of the melanins to the skin and hair. Also disclosed are methods for preparing cosmetic melanins and methods for using these compositions topically to produce a natural-appearing tan and to prevent damage to skin caused by UV exposure.

Abstract: Isomaleimides and polyisomaleimides can be prepared by a method comprising the steps in sequence: admixing a maleamic acid or polymaleamic acid with an acid halide, reacting the admixture with a tertiary amine at a temperature sufficiently low to suppress the formation of a maleimide, and isolating the resulting isomaleimide or polyisomaleimide. Polymerization of a polyisomaleimide with a polynucleophilic monomer (polythiol, polyol, polyamine) produces novel polymers.

Abstract: A random copolymerized polyamide resin is prepared by reacting a lactam of the formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.2-11 alkylene group optionally substituted with a substituent having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with a hexamethylenediamine-adipic acid salt while concentrating the aqueous solution of the salt to a concentration of at least 70% by weight and while maintaining a uniform reaction phase at all times by controlling the pressure over and the temperature of the reaction medium such that the hexamethylenediamine-adipic acid salt does not precipitate, said pressure being up to not greater than 2 kg/cm.sup.2 .multidot.G and said temperature being up to not greater than 150.degree. C., and then mixing in the solution of the lactam of formula (I) thereby effecting copolymerization and forming a polyamide resin having a relative viscosity measured by the sulfuric acid solution method (1% at 25.degree. C.) of 1.5 to 8.0.

Abstract: A curable resin system in supercritical carbon dioxide as diluent includes an epoxy resin, a co-reactant selected from poly N-substituted aziridines, and a catalyst to promote cure at ambient temperature. The system is compatible with various epoxy resins such as bisphenol A epoxy, bisphenol F epoxy, novolac epoxy, cycloaliphatic epoxy, triglycidyl-aminophenol, and triglycidyl isocyanurate. The aziridine co-reactant may be selected from reaction products of NH aziridines with acrylates and methacrylates of trimethylolpropane, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, bisphenol A, bisphenol F, pentaerythritol, glycerol, and their alkoxylated derivatives; reaction products of NH aziridines with epoxy compounds; and 1-aziridine ethanol and its reaction products with epoxy and isocyanate functional compounds. Suitable catalysts include acid salts and complexes, strong electron accepting compounds, combinations of silicon hydrides and metal complexes, and non-halogen containing boron derivatives.

Abstract: To prepare nitrogen-containing aromatic polymers, for example polyamides, polyimides and polybenzimidazoles, polyvalent aromatic carboxylic acids and aromatic diamines and/or aminocarboxylic acids or reactive derivatives thereof are reacted in a high-boiling inert solvent with the addition of a heat-stable dispersing auxiliary, and volatile by-products formed in this reaction are distilled off. When the reaction has ended, the batch is cooled and the polymer formed is filtered off.

Abstract: A process for the batch preparation of polylaurolactam in the melt, involving introducing molten, anhydrous laurolactam at a temperature of up to 280.degree. C. into a pressure-resistant reactor heated externally to a maximum of 290.degree. C.; introducing steam having a temperature in the range from 170.degree. to 280.degree. C. and a pressure in the range from 8 to 64 bar into the laurolactam until the laurolactam is heated under pressure to a temperature in a range from 280.degree. to 290.degree. C., to give a ring opened precondensed product; and, if desired, after release of pressure, polycondensing the ring opened precondensed product.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polyimides or of their polypeptide hydrolysates which are at least 80% biodegradable, by thermal polycondensation of at least one amino acid, optionally followed by hydrolysis, the thermal polycondensation step being carried out in the presence of at least one "acid catalyst" chosen fromsulphuric, nitric, phosphorous, sulphurous, hydrofluoric, silicic and sulphonic acids, organic sulphonic acids containing less than 50 carbon atoms, amino acids bearing a non-carboxyl strong acid function, organic phosphonic acids, organic carboxylic acids having a pK.sub.

Abstract: Polymeric tetraaroxyperylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic diimides of the formula I ##STR1## (R.sup.1 : denotes identical or different aryl radicals which may be substituted by cyano, nitro, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkoxy, C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 -cycloalkyl and/or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkyl and may each contain up to 24 carbon atoms;R.sup.2 : denotes C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 -alkylene groups whose carbon chain may be interrupted by from 1 to 10 oxygen atoms in ether function or by a phenylene or cyclohexylene group, or optionally C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkylene- or oxygen-bridged C.sub.6 -C.sub.30 -arylene or cyclohexylene radicals;n: is from 2 to 100),preparation thereof and use thereof and also tetraaroxypery-lene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydrides as intermediates therefor.

Abstract: A method of making a polymer having specific physiochemical properties by forming a first module having a structure which includes at least two structural diversity elements suitable to impart a desired physical property to a polymer which is made from said monomer; and reacting one or more modules to form a polymer having specific physiochemical properties. The base module can be formed by reacting a first compound having at least one structural diversity element and a first reactive group, with a second compound having at least one structural diversity element and a second reactive group, wherein the first and second groups combine by an addition reaction. Specifically, an aminimide compound, an oxazolone compound or derivatives thereof are useful as base modules in the invention.

Abstract: There are described water-soluble condensation products of amino-containing compounds and crosslinkers, obtainable by reacting(a) polyalkylenepolyamines, polyamidoamines, ethylene-imine-grafted polyamidoamines, polyetheramines and mixtures thereof, with(b) monethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, salts, esters, amides or nitriles of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, chlorocarboxylic acids and/or glycidyl compounds such as glycidic acid, glycidamide or glycidyl esters, and(c) at least bifunctional crosslinkers having a halo-hydrin, glycidyl, aziridine or isocyanate unit or a halogen atom as functional group,to form water-soluble condensation products having a viscosity of at least 100 mPas in a 20% strength by weight aqueous solution at 20.degree. C., processes for preparing the water-soluble condensation products by reacting the abovementioned compounds of groups (a), (b) and (c), and the use of the condensation products as drainage, flocculation and retention aids in papermaking.

Abstract: Abstract of the Disclosure: Insoluble, only slightly swellable polymers containing amino groups, which can be obtained from popcorn polymers containing units of the structure ##STR1## where R and R.sup.1 are H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl, by eliminating the group R--CO-- from at least 2% of the incorporated units of the structure I, with the formation of units of the structure II ##STR2## a process for the preparation of the amino-containing popcorn polymers by polymerizing N-vinylcarboxamides and, if desired, other monoethylenically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith with from 0.

Abstract: Macrocyclic oligomer mixtures, particularly polyimide oligomer mixtures, are prepared by the treatment of a dihalo-substituted organic compound or the like under reducing conditions, preferably by a complex of a zerovalent Group VIII metal. Cyclization takes place by reductive dehalogenation.

Abstract: The use of copolyamides as melt adhesive for heat sealing is disclosed. At least three monomer components are copolymerized in the copolyamide. These monomer components are selected from the following group: an equimolar mixture of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,6 salt), lauric acid lactam, 11-aminoundecanoic acid, an equimolar mixture of azelaic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,9 salt), an equimolar mixture of sebacic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,10 salt) and an equimolar mixture of dodecane dicarboxylic acid and hexamethylenediamine (6,12 salt), the melting point of the copolyamide being lower than 140.degree. C. and at least 10% by weight of lauric acid lactam and/or 11-aminoundecanoic acid being copolymerized.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyimide oligomers are converted to linear polyimides by heating with a primary amine in the presence of a tertiary amine, tertiary phosphine, quaternary ammonium salt, quaternary phosphonium salt or hexaalkylguanidinium salt or heterocyclic analog thereof as a macrocyclic polyimide polymerization catalyst.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polysuccinimides by forming a polymerization mixture of poly(alkylene glycol), aspartic acid and, optionally, one or more other amino acids; heating the mixture to an elevated temperature; and maintaining the mixture at the elevated temperature to form polysuccinimides.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing urethanes and carbonates from an amine or an alcohol, carbon dioxide and a hydrocarbyl halide. The amine or alcohol is reacted with carbon dioxide in a suitable solvent system and in the presence of an amidine or guanidine base, to form the ammonium carbamate or carbonate salt which is then reacted in a polar aprotic solvent with a hydrocarbyl halide. Polymer products can also be prepared utilizing this process or utilizing the resulting urethanes and carbonates under standard polymerization conditions.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyimide oligomers are prepared by the reaction of at least one diamine with at least one tetracarboxylic acid or dianhydride thereof in equimolar amounts, under conditions of high dilution of said reagents. The macrocyclic oligomers are capable of conversion into linear polyimides by heating with a primary amine in the presence of a macrocyclic polyimide polymerization catalyst, typically an alkaline earth or transition metal or salt thereof.

Abstract: Polyamides stabilized to hydrolysis at high temperatures, particularly in an acidic medium, containing 0.1 to 5% by weight based on polyamide of a polymeric aromatic carbodiimide.

Abstract: Macrocyclic polyimide oligomers are prepared by the reaction of at least one diamine with at least one tetracarboxylic acid or dianhydride thereof in equimolar amounts, under conditions of high dilution of said reagents. The macrocyclic oligomers are capable of conversion into linear polyimides by heating with a primary amine in the presence of a macrocyclic polyimide polymerization catalyst, typically an alkaline earth or transition metal or salt thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polyester-imide prepared from a condensation polymerization of aromatic diacid, diimide diacid, and diol, having a carboxy to hydroxy equivalent molar ratio of 0.9:1 to 1.1:1. The disclosed polyester-imide has outstanding heat-resistance, remarkable filming ability, and high solubility in both phenol series and amide series solvents.

Abstract: Novel cyclic imino ether compositions containing one or more mesogenic moieties, when polymerized, result in products having improved properties.

Abstract: A method for the polymerization of Nylon 6 from caprolactam and water using a catalyst composition comprising a primary catalyst, which can be an alkali metal hypophosphite or an alkali-earth metal hypophosphite, and an amine cocatalyst. The amine cocatalyst can be selected from the group consisting of phenylene diamines, hindered amines, poly(hindered amines), Group I benzotriazoles, and Group II benzotriazoles. The catalyst composition used in this invention is most useful when used in conjunction with the reactive extrusion technology which requires a very fast polymerization rate to take full advantage of this evolving technology.

Abstract: Amidamines of the following formula are described: ##STR1## where R is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms;R' is an alkyl group if k is 1, or an alkylene group if k is greater than 1; where R' has 2 to 18 carbon atoms;R" is independently lower alkylene of 2 to 4 carbon atoms;R'" is independently straight or branched lower alkylene of 2 to 6 carbon atoms;x is independently 1 to 200;y is independently 1 to 300;z is independently 1 to 200;p is independently 2 to 11; andk is from 1 to 8; where the x and z groups may be distributed in blocks or randomly.These compositions are made by reacting a cyclic lactam with an etheramine. Incorporation of increasing quantities of the polyetherpolyamine did not decrease the crystalline melting point (T.sub.m) of the resulting copolymer. The polyamidopolyfunctional amines (poly(amide-ether-amide) triblock copolymers) have a relatively low modulus and retain higher use temperatures than current polyetheramide segment block copolymers.

Abstract: A process for forming an ultra-high molecular weight nylon 6 by polymerizing .epsilon.-caprolactam, which comprises heating substantially anhydrous .epsilon.-caprolactam at a temperature of from 100.degree. to 200.degree. C. in the presence of (a) a main catalyst selected from a Grignard compound and a halogenated magnesium lactamate, (b) a co-catalyst selected from an acyl lactam compound and an isocyanic acid ester and (c) at least one activator selected from the group consisting of amides, sulfoxides, thioethers and phosphoric esters. According to this inventive process, an ultra-high molecular weight nylon 6 can be produced within a short period of time, making use of industrially advantageous compounds which are stable in air, hardly dangerous and inexpensive. Being free from cross-linkings, the ultra-high molecular weight nylon 6 obtained by the process of this invention is soluble in various solvents and is useful as a starting material for the production of high strength and high modulus materials.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aromatic imide sulfide polymers and polymers produced. In the process, elemental sulfur is reacted with a compound having the general formula ##STR1## wherein Z.sup.1 is a direct link and Z.sup.2 is H, or Z.sup.1 has the general structure ##STR2## or Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 together complete a moiety having the general structure ##STR3## n= 0-4 . R.sup.1 is substituted or unsubstituted: aryl or heteroaryl. ##STR4## which R.sup.3 is an independently selected aryl group, m is an integer from 1 to 12, and j is an integer from 0 to 300.

Abstract: A composition comprising a 1,2-dialkylidenecyclobutane such as 1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane, a bisbenzocyclobutene and a polyimide such as a bismaleimide can be thermally cured to a tough copolymer having a high glass transition temperature.