Techniques regarding the synthesis of one or more polymers through one or more ring-opening polymerizations conducted within a flow reactor and facilitated by one or more anionic catalysts are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise polymerizing, via a ring-opening polymerization within a flow reactor, a cyclic monomer in the presence of one or more anionic organocatalysts.

A method is described for producing a polycarbonate by reacting one or more diaryl carbonates with one or more aromatic hydroxy compounds, which are first mixed in a mixing device and enter, as a raw material mixture, a raw material mixture container to subsequently react in one or more reactors under reduced pressure and increased temperature to form polycarbonate, wherein the mixture of diaryl carbonate and aromatic hydroxy compound is subjected to a purification by an inert gas in a countercurrent process, in a stripping device, before entering the raw material mixture container. The present invention also relates to a stripping device which is particularly suitable for purifying a raw material mixture stream, and to the use of such a stripping device in a method for producing polycarbonate.

Techniques regarding the synthesis of polyesters and/or polycarbonates through one or more ring-opening polymerizations conducted within a flow reactor and facilitated by a urea anion catalyst and/or a thiourea catalyst are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise polymerizing, via a ring-opening polymerization within a flow reactor, a cyclic monomer in the presence an organocatalyst comprising a urea anion.

A bio-based polycarbonate ester and a method for making the bio-based polycarbonate are disclosed. The bio-based polycarbonate ester has excellent mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and impact strength. The method produces the bio-based polycarbonate ester using a high-viscosity polycondensation reactor.

Techniques regarding the synthesis of polyesters and/or polycarbonates through one or more ring-opening polymerizations conducted within a flow reactor and facilitated by a urea anion catalyst and/or a thiourea catalyst are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise polymerizing, via a ring-opening polymerization within a flow reactor, a cyclic monomer in the presence an organocatalyst comprising a urea anion.

In an embodiment, a reactor for carrying out a melt transesterification reaction at a reactor temperature of 160 to 300 C. and a reactor pressure of 5 to 200 mbar, comprises a cylindrical tank comprising a top, a side, and a bottom, wherein the bottom is convex, extending away from the top; a stirring shaft disposed within the cylindrical tank along an axis thereof so that it is rotatable from outside of the cylindrical tank; an impeller extending from the stirring shaft in the cylindrical tank and comprising a plurality of blades; a reactant solution inlet; a reaction solution outlet; and an externally located heat exchanger in fluid communication with the cylindrical tank via a recirculation stream and a heated stream. The reactor can be used for the polymerization of a polycarbonate oligomer.

A method of preparing a poly(ester-carbonate) includes contacting an aqueous solution including a dicarboxylic acid with a first solution including phosgene and a first organic solvent in a tubular reactor to provide a first reaction mixture. A dihydroxy aromatic compound, the corresponding dialkali metal salt of the dihydroxy aromatic compound, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, water, and a second organic solvent are combined to provide a second reaction mixture. The method further includes introducing the first reaction mixture, the second reaction mixture, and a second solution comprising phosgene to a tank reactor, wherein the tank reactor has a first pH of 7 to 10. The pH is optionally raised to 9 to 11 to provide a third reaction mixture including the poly(ester-carbonate). Poly(ester-carbonate)s prepared according to the method described herein are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an aromatic polycarbonate obtained via the melt transesterification of a diaryl carbonate, a bisphenol and an endcapping agent selected from paracumyl phenol, dicumyl phenol, p-tert-butyl phenol and mixtures of at least two of said endcapping agents, said polycarbonate having a melt volume rate of at least 20 cm.sup.3/10 min (ISO 1133, 300 C., 1.2 kg), a terminal hydroxyl group content of at most 800 ppm by weight, a Fries branching content of at most 1300 ppm by weight and a content of bulky end groups of at least 20 mol % defined as the sum of the mol % of end-groups based on said bisphenol and the mol % of end-groups based on said endcapping agent.

Techniques regarding the synthesis of one or more polymers through one or more ring-opening polymerizations conducted within a flow reactor and facilitated by one or more anionic catalysts are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise polymerizing, via a ring-opening polymerization within a flow reactor, a cyclic monomer in the presence of one or more anionic organocatalysts.

Techniques regarding the synthesis of polyesters and/or polycarbonates through one or more ring-opening polymerizations conducted within a flow reactor and facilitated by a urea anion catalyst and/or a thiourea catalyst are provided. For example, one or more embodiments can comprise a method, which can comprise polymerizing, via a ring-opening polymerization within a flow reactor, a cyclic monomer in the presence an organocatalyst comprising a urea anion.