The present invention generally relates to processes for converting an ester group to an acid group for polymers having a pendant ester of an acid group. This process is generally performed using an aqueous strong base.

The invention provides an infiltrant for dental application that comprises crosslinking monomers. In accordance with the invention the infiltrant has a penetration coefficient PC>50 cm/s, and the crosslinking monomers, based on the total mass of monomers, comprise at least 5% by weight of crosslinking monomers having at least three polymerizable groups and not more than 95% by weight of crosslinking monomers having two polymerizable groups.

The invention provides an infiltrant for dental application that comprises crosslinking monomers. In accordance with the invention the infiltrant has a penetration coefficient PC>50 cm/s, and the crosslinking monomers, based on the total mass of monomers, comprise at least 5% by weight of crosslinking monomers having at least three polymerizable groups and not more than 95% by weight of crosslinking monomers having two polymerizable groups.

A method is described for immediately terminating free radical polymerizations by adding an inhibitor solution comprising a phenothiazine compound and/or a monoalkyl ether of hydroquinone to the free radical polymerizing system. The method is characterized in that the solvent of the inhibitor solution comprises at least 50% by weight of the solvent of alkylene glycol and/or polyalkylene glycol and/or terminally etherified derivatives of alkylene glycol and/or of polyalkylene glycol. The method permits the use of nontoxic inhibitor solutions. Inhibitor solutions are also described which comprise a phenothiazine compound and/or a monoalkyl ether of hydroquinone and, as solvent, alkylene glycol and/or polyalkylene glycol and/or terminally etherified derivatives of these compounds.

A method is described for immediately terminating free radical polymerizations by adding an inhibitor solution comprising a phenothiazine compound and/or a monoalkyl ether of hydroquinone to the free radical polymerizing system. The method is characterized in that the solvent of the inhibitor solution comprises at least 50% by weight of the solvent of alkylene glycol and/or polyalkylene glycol and/or terminally etherified derivatives of alkylene glycol and/or of polyalkylene glycol. The method permits the use of nontoxic inhibitor solutions. Inhibitor solutions are also described which comprise a phenothiazine compound and/or a monoalkyl ether of hydroquinone and, as solvent, alkylene glycol and/or polyalkylene glycol and/or terminally etherified derivatives of these compounds.

A shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer comprises polymerized, nematic monomers. The monomers are organized into a plurality of voxels with each voxel having a director orientation.

A shape-programmable liquid crystal elastomer comprises polymerized, nematic monomers. The monomers are organized into a plurality of voxels with each voxel having a director orientation.

Described herein is a polymerized petroleum based or biorenewable oil obtain by blowing and an optional stripping process, comprising a polymeric distribution having about 2 to about 80 wt % oligomer content and a polydispersity index ranging from about 1.0 to about 20.0. Methods of manufacturing the polymerized oil as well as its incorporation into asphalt, roofing, and coating applications are also described.

Novel stress-reducing crosslinking oligomers that have application in dental restoratives, thin films, hardcoats, composites, adhesives, and other uses subject to stress reduction are described. The addition-fragmentation process of crosslinking results in a chain-transfer event that provides novel polymers that may be further functionalized. In addition, the addition-fragmentation oligomer comprises pendent functional groups that bond to a substrate by forming an ionic or covalent bond, or etch the substrate by chemically removing some material from the substrate.

The present invention provides a novel curable composition in which a reaction is caused to occur between a hydroperoxide and a thiourea compound to initiate polymerization of a radical polymerizable monomer and which has excellent adhesive properties, moderate curability, and excellent long-term storage stability. The present invention relates to a curable composition (A) containing: a radical polymerizable monomer (a1) having no acidic group; a hydroperoxide compound (a2); and at least one cyclic thiourea compound (a3) selected from the group consisting of a substituted ethylenethiourea compound (a3-1), a substituted propylenethiourea compound (a3-2), and a substituted butylenethiourea compound (a3-3) each having a specific structure with a cyclic structure moiety into which a substituent is introduced.