The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing poly(trimethylene terephthalate). According to the process of the present invention, it is possible to continuously produce poly(trimethylene terephthalate) containing low levels of toxic by-products such as acrolein and ally alcohol without additional additives.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a copolymer from at least one cyclic monomer selected from: a lactone, a lactam, a carbonate, a lactide and a glycolide, an oxazoline, an epoxide, a cyclosiloxane, comprising the step consisting of reacting said cyclic monomer in the presence of a substituted phosphorus-containing compound. It also relates to the polymer composition obtained according to this method, as well as the uses thereof, notably as antistatic additives, biocompatible materials, as membranes for treatment of effluents or in electrochemical systems for energy storage.

The invention relates to a method for producing a polyoxyalkylene polyester polyol by reacting a polyoxyalkylene polyol with a lactone in the presence of a Brønsted acid catalyst, wherein the catalyst has a pKa value of 1 or less; the number-average molar mass of the polyoxyalkylene polyol is ≥1000 g/mol, preferably ≥1500 g/mol, particularly preferably ≥2000 g/mol; and in the lactone a CH2 group is bonded to the ring oxygen. The invention further relates to polyoxyalkylene polyester polyols obtainable using the method according to the invention, and to a method for producing polyurethanes by reacting the polyoxyalkylene polyester polyols according to the invention with polyisocyanates.

A new family of mononuclear organometallic complexes of a divalent metal bound to sequential tetradentate monoanionic {ONNN}-type ligands, and polymerization of cyclic esters such as lactides utilizing same are provided. Novel tetradentate monoanionic {ONNN}-type ligands usable for forming these complexes are also provided.

The present invention provides a multi-block copolymer comprising at least blocks A-B-A or B-A-B, wherein block A comprises a polyester formed by polymerisation of a lactone and/or a lactide; and block B comprises a copolyester formed by polymerisation of an epoxide and an anhydride, or a polycarbonate formed by polymerisation of an epoxide and carbon dioxide, and methods of production thereof.

Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof;
wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and
wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

Described as one aspect of the invention are polyester compositions containing: (I) at least one polyester which comprises: (a) a dicarboxylic acid component comprising: (i) 70 to 100 mole % of terephthalic acid residues; (ii) 0 to 30 mole % of aromatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 20 carbon atoms; and (iii) 0 to 10 mole % of aliphatic dicarboxylic acid residues having up to 16 carbon atoms; and (b) a glycol component comprising: (i) 1 to 99 mole % of 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol residues; and (ii) 1 to 99 mole % of cyclohexanedimethanol residues; and (II) at least one thermal stabilizer chosen from at least one of alkyl phosphate esters, aryl phosphate esters, mixed alkyl aryl phosphate esters, reaction products thereof, and mixtures thereof;
wherein the total mole % of the dicarboxylic acid component is 100 mole %, and
wherein the total mole % of the glycol component is 100 mole %.

The present invention concerns the use of a compound having the following formula (I), for the preparation of a polymer. The present invention also concerns the polymers obtained from polymerization of compound of formula (I), and their processes of preparation.

##STR00001##

The present invention concerns the use of a compound having the following formula (I), for the preparation of a polymer. The present invention also concerns the polymers obtained from polymerization of compound of formula (I), and their processes of preparation.

##STR00001##

A process for the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers for the production of plastics, based on an enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of monomer or oligomer compounds in a single phase aqueous solution, as well as the separation of the prepolymers precipitated therefrom and their subsequent use for the production of plastics and plastic articles obtainable therefrom. In particular, the invention relates to respective methods for enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers with polyamide-type bonding structure for the production of polyamide-based plastics.