The invention relates to a curable composition comprising at least one curable resin component and at least one curing agent and/or one initiator for the polymerization of the curable resin compound. Moreover, the composition comprises at least one non-linear polyacetal-bridged resin component having a large number of acetal functions and functional groups of resin component (A).

Self-immolative polymers degrade by an end-to-end depolymerization mechanism in response to the cleavage of a stabilizing end-cap from the polymer terminus. Examples include homopolymers, mixed polymers including block copolymers, suitable for a variety of applications. A polyglyoxylate can be end-capped or capped with a linker as in a block copolymer.

Self-immolative polymers degrade by an end-to-end depolymerization mechanism in response to the cleavage of a stabilizing end-cap from the polymer terminus. Examples include homopolymers, mixed polymers including block copolymers, suitable for a variety of applications. A polyglyoxylate can be end-capped or capped with a linker as in a block copolymer.

A substance may include polymers that include reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s, where a differential scanning calorimetry process exhibits no endothermic peaks for monomers for a first heat cycle of a heat-cool process applied to the reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s and for a second heat cycle of the heat-cool process. The disclosed polyacetals are stable at 23? C., open to the air, for at least 1 month.

A substance may include polymers that include reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s, where a differential scanning calorimetry process exhibits no endothermic peaks for monomers for a first heat cycle of a heat-cool process applied to the reagent end-capped poly(acetal)s and for a second heat cycle of the heat-cool process. The disclosed polyacetals are stable at 23? C., open to the air, for at least 1 month.

The present invention is directed to a method for producing an oxymethylene copolymer by subjecting trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane to copolymerization using boron trifluoride or a coordination compound thereof as a catalyst, wherein the copolymerization is conducted in the presence of a steric-hindrance phenol in an amount of 0.006 to 2.0% by weight, based on the weight of the trioxane, using 0.01 to 0.07 mmol of boron trifluoride or a coordination compound thereof as a catalyst, relative to 1 mol of the trioxane, and wherein, at a point in time when the polymerization yield becomes 92% or more, the formed oxymethylene copolymer and a polymerization terminator are contacted to terminate the polymerization.

The present invention is directed to a method for producing an oxymethylene copolymer by subjecting trioxane and 1,3-dioxolane to copolymerization using boron trifluoride or a coordination compound thereof as a catalyst, wherein the copolymerization is conducted in the presence of a steric-hindrance phenol in an amount of 0.006 to 2.0% by weight, based on the weight of the trioxane, using 0.01 to 0.07 mmol of boron trifluoride or a coordination compound thereof as a catalyst, relative to 1 mol of the trioxane, and wherein, at a point in time when the polymerization yield becomes 92% or more, the formed oxymethylene copolymer and a polymerization terminator are contacted to terminate the polymerization.

A terminally modified polymer is provided herein. At least one terminus of the polymer is O(CH.sub.2).sub.2-L.sup.M or OCH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2CR.sup.1CR.sup.2R.sup.3. L.sup.M, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are defined herein Also disclosed are terminal conjugates comprising the polymer and a pharmaceutically useful modifier, as well as compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.

A terminally modified polymer is provided herein. At least one terminus of the polymer is O(CH.sub.2).sub.2-L.sup.M or OCH.sub.2CH(OH)CH.sub.2CR.sup.1CR.sup.2R.sup.3. L.sup.M, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are defined herein Also disclosed are terminal conjugates comprising the polymer and a pharmaceutically useful modifier, as well as compositions comprising the conjugates, methods of their preparation, and methods of treating various disorders with the conjugates or their compositions.

The present invention relates to a process for producing cyclic acetal comprising i) preparing a liquid reaction mixture comprising a) formaldehyde source, b) an aprotic compound and c) a catalyst; and ii) converting the formaldehyde source into cyclic acetals.