Rohm and Haas Company

David L Hundermark

Samuel F Reed

Linear addition polymer beads having repeating units of vinylbenzyl alcohol and at least one other structure different from vinylbenzyl alcohol, wherein the vinylbenzyl alcohol units comprise at least 0.5% by weight of the linear polymer, and thermally crosslinked derivatives thereof. The beads are thermally crosslinked by heating during formation thereof or thereafter in the presence of a free radical initiator, such that benzylic methylene or benzyloxy crosslinks are formed between aromatic rings of the vinylbenzyl alcohol units, and between the vinylbenzyl alcohol units and other active sites in the polymer. The linear addition polymers may be formed directly from vinylbenzyl alcohol monomer and at least one other monomer, or indirectly by hydrolysis of vinylbenzyl chloride during linear polymer formation therefrom. The crosslinked products are useful as adsorbents, hydrogels and as intermediates in the preparation of other adsorbents, ion exchange resins, catalysts and slow release agents.

Vinylbenzyl alcohol polymer beads and thermally crosslinked derivatives

Linear addition polymer beads having repeating units of vinylbenzyl alcohol and at least one other structure different from vinylbenzyl alcohol, wherein the vinylbenzyl alcohol units comprise at least 0.5% by weight of the linear polymer, and thermally crosslinked derivatives thereof. The beads are thermally crosslinked by heating during formation thereof or thereafter in the presence of a free radical initiator, such that alpha-hydroxy benzylic methylene or benzyloxy crosslinks are formed between aromatic rings of the vinylbenzyl alcohol units, and between the vinylbenzyl alcohol units and other active sites in the polymer. The linear addition polymers may be formed directly from vinylbenzyl alcohol monomer and at least one other monomer, or indirectly by hydrolysis of vinylbenzyl chloride during linear polymer formation therefrom. The crosslinked products are useful as adsorbents, hydrogels and as intermediates in the preparation of other adsorbents, ion exchange resins, catalysts and slow release agents.

Growing community of inventors

Knoxville, TN, United States of America

David L Hundermark