Eastman Chemical Company

Eastman-kodak Company

Cheuk C Yau

Clinton Cherry

Leslie Shane Moody

Alan W White

Mary Therese Jernigan

Chester Wayne Sink

Carol J Greene

Perry Michael Murdaugh, Sr

William H Heise

Daniel P Folk

The process for producing polyesters, and in particular, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) which includes the use of antimony catalyst that is acidic phosphorus additive involves the addition of the catalyst prior to or together with the additive. Moreover, the amount of additive is selected so as to provide a resin that is at least substantially free of non-acidic inorganic compounds such as antimony phosphate which can be formed by the reaction of the catalyst with the additive. The process preferably includes an esterification step, a prepolymer step, and a polymerization step with the antimony catalyst being added prior to, during, or after, the esterification step while the phosphorus-containing additive is introduced prior to or during the prepolymer stage. Polyesters having low levels of elemental phosphorus are also disclosed.

Method for making polyesters employing acidic phosphorus-containing compounds

The present invention relates to a process comprises mixing, at temperatures between about about 90.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., a first reactant solution comprising less than about 5.times.10.sup.-3 moles/l of at least one antimony compound and at least one first diol having having 2 to about 16 carbon atoms with a second reactant solution comprising less than about 30.times.10.sup.-3 moles/l of at least one phosphorus stabilizer compound and at least one second diol to form sub-visual molecular aggregates comprising antimony phosphate derivatives. Sub-visual molecular aggregates comprising antimony phosphate derivatives which are stable in suspension are also disclosed.

Preparation of sub-visual molecular aggregrates composed of antimony

Disclosed herein is an esterification process characterized by the high dilution in situ addition of antimony catalyst compound and phosphorus stabilizer compound to the esterification reaction mixture. A high dilution polymerization process for producing antimony phosphate derivative-containing polymer is also disclosed. Further disclosed are high clarity polyesters containing sub visual antimony phosphate derivative particles.

High clarity polyester containing sub-visual antimony phosphate

This invention relates to a polyester resin prepared by adding one or more dicarboxylic acid components to one or more glycol components containing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol equalling 100 mole %, the polyester resin having been prepared in the presence of a catalyst/stabilizer system consisting essentially of antimony compounds and phosphorous compounds and compounds selected from the group consisting essentially of zinc compounds, gallium compounds, and silicon compounds.

Polyesters modified with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol having high clarity

This invention relates to a polyester resin prepared by adding one or more dicarboxylic acid components to one or more glycol components containing 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol equalling 100 mole %,

Polyesters modified with 1,4-cyclohexaned imethanol having high clarity

Provided is a method useful for separating and removing impurities such as cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM) and other additives from their mixture with dimethylterehthalate (DMT), formed during a depolymerization process such as methanolysis of poly(ethyene terephthalate) (PET), poly(cyclohexyldimethylene terephthalate) (PCT), or copolyers of PET and PCT. The separation and removal of CHDM is accomplished via either melt or solution crystallization of the DMT following excess methanol removal (via distillation) of the methanolysis reactor products.

Process for separating cyclohexane dimethanol from dimethyl terephthalate

Disclosed is an improvement in a process for producing branched polyesters wherein a precursor polyester is first formed and subsequently the precursor polyester is formed into particles and further polymerized in the solid state, wherein the improvement comprises contacting the particles while at a temperature of about 140.degree. to about 2.degree. C. below the melting point of the polyester with the vapor of water or an organic compound having at least one OH group.

Production of branched polyesters

Disclosed is an improvement in a process for producing linear polyesters wherein a precursor polyester is first formed and subsequently the precursor polyester is formed into particles and further polymerized in the solid state, wherein the improvement comprises contacting the particles while at a temperature of about 140.degree. to about 2.degree. C. below the melting point of the polyester with the vapor of water or an organic compound having at least one OH group.

Production of polyesters and polyester articles having good clarity

Disclosed is a process for producing copolyesters having repeat units from a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least 90 mol % terephthalic acid and a glycol component comprising about 10-95 mol % 1,4-cyclo-hexanedimethanol and from about 90-5 mol % ethylene glycol comprising reacting the dicarboxylic acid component and the glycol component at temperatures sufficient to effect esterification or transesterification and polycondensing the reaction product in the presence of a catalyst and inhibitor system consisting essentially of Mn, Zn, Ti, Ge and P, all parts by weight based on the weight of the copolyester.

Copolyester of cyclohexanenedimethanol and process for producing such

Disclosed is a process for producing copolyesters having repeat units from a dicarboxylic acid component comprising at least 90 mol % terephthalic acid and a glycol component comprising about 10-95 mol % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and from about 90-5 mol % ethylene glycol comprising reacting the dicarboxylic acid component and the glycol component at temperatures sufficient to effect esterification or transesterification and polycondensing the reaction product in the presence of a catalyst and inhibitor system consisting essentially of Mn, Zn, Ti, Ge and P, all parts by weight based on the weight of the copolyester.

Copolyester of cyclohexanedimethanol and process for producing such

Disclosed is a configuration for a polymer pellet having improved reactivity for solid-state polymerization and less tendency to stick during processing with heat. The pellets have a reduced path length for volatiles to travel to the exterior of the pellet, and reduced contact area in a packed condition.

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Kingsport, TN, United States of America

Cheuk C Yau