The present invention relates to a kind of organic metal-free catalysts containing both electrophilic and nucleophilic dual-functions, preparation methods of making the same, and uses thereof. The organic metal-free catalysts in the present invention have the chemical structure shown in formula (I):

##STR00001##

Compared with the metal-free organic polymerization catalytic systems that have been reported before, the organic metal-free catalysts in this invention have the combined advantages of simple preparation, high reactivity, easy operation, low cost, wide applicability, easy for industrial production.

Disclosed is a preparation method for polylactic acid grafted chitosan nanowhiskers, and belongs to the technical field of materials. The preparation method of the disclosure is that after lactide, a catalyst and chitosan are uniformly mixed, polymerization grafting is performed to prepare PLA-g-CS, and then the PLA-g-CS is dispersed into an alkali liquor to obtain nanowhiskers by a repeated freezing/unfreezing method, with no solvent used in a polymerization grafting process. The method has advantages that the nanowhiskers can be prepared from the PLA-g-CS without a good solvent, and the whole reaction is efficient, clean, and environmentally friendly.

The present invention relates to a kind of organic metal-free catalysts containing both electrophilic and nucleophilic dual-functions, preparation methods of making the same, and uses thereof. The organic metal-free catalysts in the present invention have the chemical structure shown in formula (I): ##STR00001##
Compared with the metal-free organic polymerization catalytic systems that have been reported before, the organic metal-free catalysts in this invention have the combined advantages of simple preparation, high reactivity, easy operation, low cost, wide applicability, easy for industrial production.

Provided is a triblock copolymer comprising a poly(3-hydroxypropionate) block, and polylactide blocks bonded to both ends of the poly(3-hydroxypropionate) block. Also provided is a method for preparing a triblock copolymer by ring-opening polymerization of lactide monomers in the presence of a poly(3-hydroxypropionate) initiator having hydroxy groups at both ends.

The present invention is directed to Cashew Nut Shell Liquid derivatives and methods for making and using same. The invention is also directed to Cashew Nut Shell Liquid based monomers and polymers for making antimicrobials, antioxidants, adhesives, coatings, corrosion retardants composites, cosmetics, detergents, soaps, de-icing products, elastomers, food, flavors, inks, lubricants, oil field chemicals, personal care products, polymers, structural polymers, engineered plastics, 3D printable polymers, techno-polymers, rubbers, sealants, solvents, surfactants and varnishes.

The present invention is directed to non-aqueous, curable film-forming compositions comprising: a) an anhydride functional compound; b) at least one of: (i) a hydroxyl functional compound having at least two hydroxyl functional groups and (ii) a carbodiimide functional compound; and c) hydrolyzable functional groups. After application of the curable film-forming composition to a substrate to form a coated substrate, and upon subjecting the coated substrate to curing conditions, the curable film-forming composition undergoes multiple cure reactions. The present invention is further directed to methods of preparing coated substrates with these compositions.

The present invention is directed to non-aqueous, curable film-forming compositions comprising: a) an anhydride functional compound; b) at least one of: (i) a hydroxyl functional compound having at least two hydroxyl functional groups and (ii) a carbodiimide functional compound; and c) hydrolyzable functional groups. After application of the curable film-forming composition to a substrate to form a coated substrate, and upon subjecting the coated substrate to curing conditions, the curable film-forming composition undergoes multiple cure reactions. The present invention is further directed to methods of preparing coated substrates with these compositions.

Biodegradable polymers with advantageous physical and chemical properties are described, as well as methods for making such polymers. In one embodiment, a new chemical synthesis route to technologically important biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) with high isotacticity and molecular weight required for a practical use is described. The new route can utilize racemic eight-membered cyclic diolide (rac-DL), meso-DL, or a rac-DL and meso-DL mixture, derived from bio-sourced dimethyl succinate, and enantiomeric (R,R)-DL and (S,S)-DL, optically resolved by metal-based catalysts. With a stereoselective racemic molecular catalyst, the ROP of rac-DL under ambient conditions produces rapidly P3HB with essentially perfect isotacticity ([mm]>99%), high crystallinity and melting temperature (T.sub.m=171° C.), as well as high molecular weight and low dispersity (M.sub.n=1.54×10.sup.5 g/mol, Ð=1.01).

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.

Provided is a process for producing a product having polyglycolic acid and glycolide from methyl glycolate. The process comprises esterification, polycondensation and optimization. Also provided are a product produced by the process and a method of changing the amount of the polyglycolic acid in the product by modifying the amount of an esterification catalyst and/or adjusting the reaction temperature.