The invention relates to compounds, compositions and polymers comprising a first component adapted to promote germination of Clostridium difficile (C. diff) and a second component which acts as an antimicrobial agent. Said compounds, compositions and polymers are useful for destroying C. diff where conventional antimicrobial agents are unsuccessful. The compositions can be formulated as coating or materials which actively destroy C. diff which come into contact with it. The germination promotion is induced by bile salts. The invention also relates to the use of such materials as a treatment for C. diff associated diseases and toxic megacolon.

A method of coating a structure is disclosed. Method steps include providing a structure having a first portion of a first material having a first surface and providing a second portion of a second material having a second surface, wherein a mask is provided over the first surface. Another step includes exposing the mask and the second surface to a solution comprising a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solution dewets from the mask and the polymer collects onto the second surface to form a polymer coating over the second surface without forming a polymer coating on the first surface.

The present disclosure relates to a composition having a structure defined by

##STR00001##

, where symbolizes a covalent bond to a neighboring atom, R.sub.2 is a functional group derived from at least one of a homocyclic molecule, a heterocyclic molecule, a polycyclic molecule, an aliphatic molecule, and/or an organo-phosphorous molecule, 1 ≤ x ≤ 1000, and 2 ≤ z ≤ 1000.

The present disclosure relates to a composition having a structure defined by

##STR00001##

, where symbolizes a covalent bond to a neighboring atom, R.sub.2 is a functional group derived from at least one of a homocyclic molecule, a heterocyclic molecule, a polycyclic molecule, an aliphatic molecule, and/or an organo-phosphorous molecule, 1 ≤ x ≤ 1000, and 2 ≤ z ≤ 1000.

A method for producing block copolymers can include polymerizing a feedstock comprising a monomer and a comonomer under first polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor to produce a first effluent comprising a first polyolefin block, an unreacted monomer, and an unreacted comonomer; blending the first effluent with a coordinative chain transfer polymerization agent to produce a mixture; and polymerizing the mixture in a separator under second polymerization conditions to cause the unreacted monomer and the unreacted comonomer to polymerize onto one end of the first polyolefin block as a second polyolefin block, thereby forming a block copolymer, wherein the first polyolefin block has a first comonomer content and the second polyolefin block has a second comonomer content that is different than the first comonomer content. The method can further include polymerizing in presence of a second coordinative chain transfer polymerization agent in a second separator.

A method for producing block copolymers can include polymerizing a feedstock comprising a monomer and a comonomer under first polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst in a reactor to produce a first effluent comprising a first polyolefin block, an unreacted monomer, and an unreacted comonomer; blending the first effluent with a coordinative chain transfer polymerization agent to produce a mixture; and polymerizing the mixture in a separator under second polymerization conditions to cause the unreacted monomer and the unreacted comonomer to polymerize onto one end of the first polyolefin block as a second polyolefin block, thereby forming a block copolymer, wherein the first polyolefin block has a first comonomer content and the second polyolefin block has a second comonomer content that is different than the first comonomer content. The method can further include polymerizing in presence of a second coordinative chain transfer polymerization agent in a second separator.

Butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer formed by a block of crystalline polybutadiene (hard block) and by a block of amorphous polyisoprene (soft block). Said butadiene-isoprene diblock copolymer can be advantageously used both in the footwear industry (for example, in the production of shoe soles), and in the production of tires for motor vehicles and/or trucks.

Modification of functional groups along a polymer backbone to render the groups activatable upon exposure to actinic radiation is described. The polymers are typically controlled architecture polymers. Also described are adhesives containing the modified architectured polymers and related methods of use.

An end capped condensation polymer may be formed by heating a condensation polymer in the presence of an end capping compound to form cleaved condensation polymer reacting at least a portion of the cleaved condensation polymer with the end capping compound to form the end capped condensation polymer. The end capped condensation polymers may be used to form additive manufactured articles having high solids loading and improved processing due to improved rheological behavior.

Polymers, including homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers, comprising poly(pentadecyl caprolactone), methods of making the polymers, and pressure sensitive adhesives including the polymers.