The Dow Chemical Company

Frederick P Corson

Syamalarao Evani

Violete L Stevens

Arthur R Sexton

David L Wolfe

A polymerization process for vicinal alkylene oxides and a catalyst for said polymerization process where the catalyst comprises a composition prepared by contacting an alkyl aluminum compound with an organic nitrogen base compound selected from secondary nitrogen-containing compounds having basicity less than or about equal to the basicity of dimethylamine, with a .beta.-diketone and with water where the components are combined in prescribed molar ratios. The molecular weight of the resultant polymers produced in a process utilizing such a catalyst may be controlled by adjusting the ratio of the secondary amine component and very high molecular weight polymers may be obtained, as determined by their intrinsic viscosities. The very high molecular weight polymeric products are useful as elastomers and as thickeners for various aqueous or organic solutions.

Vicinal alkylene oxide polymerization

Vicinal alkylene oxide polymerization and catalysts thereof

A novel polymer of a vinyl benzyl ether monomer and at least one other copolymerizable monomer, at least one of which other monomers has a carboxylic acid group, an anhydride group, a sulfate group, a sulfonate group or a hydroxyl group is disclosed. The vinyl benzyl ether monomer has the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, m is about 10 to 100 and Y is --OR.sub.1, --SR.sub.1, ##STR2## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, aralkyl or alkaryl hydrophobic group of 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms and R.sub.3 is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, provided R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 in combination have at least 10 carbon atoms.

Aqueous polymeric thickening agents

Homopolymers and copolymers of glycidyl esters are made by reacting the acids to be esterified with the corresponding polymer of tert.-alkyl glycidyl ether under substantially anhydrous conditions and in the presence of a strong acid catalyst, preferably a sulfonic acid. The reaction proceeds satisfactorily at about 100.degree.14 150.degree. C with displacement of the tert.-alkyl group by the acyl group of the acid and evolution of tert.-olefin. By use of the appropriate proportion of reactant acid and/or appropriate reaction time, any desired proportion of the glycidyl groups can be esterified.

Process for making polyglycidyl esters

Linear copolymers of glycidol, glycidyl esters of unsaturated fatty acids and, optionally, alkylene oxides, are made by the reaction of an unsaturated fatty acid with a polymer or copolymer of tert.-butyl glycidyl ether in the presence of an acid catalyst. The products are polymerizable and copolymerizable with vinyl monomers and are useful as curable resins.

Curable mixtures and cured resins made from linear polymers of glycidol

New polymers are copolymers of glycidol, glycidyl esters of fatty acids, and, optionally, alkylene oxides. They are conveniently made by the reaction of a fatty acid with a polymer or copolymer of tert.-butyl glycidyl ether in the presence of an acid catalyst. They are useful as coatings, lubricants, plasticizers, textile antistatic agents and surfactants.

Copolymers of glycidol and glycidyl esters

Nonionic water soluble thickening agents are prepared by copolymerizing about 1 to 5 mole percent of a vinyl benzyl ether having the formula ##STR1## and the balance to make 100 mole percent of acrylamide.

Vinyl benzyl ethers and nonionic water soluble thickening agents

Linear copolymers of glycidol

A novel polymer of a vinyl benzyl ether monomer and at least one other copolymerizable monomer, at least one of which other monomers has a carboxylic acid group, an anhydride group, a sulfate group, a sulfonate group or a hydroxyl group is disclosed. The vinyl benzyl ether monomer has the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, m is about 10 to 100 and Y is ##STR2## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, aralkyl or alkaryl hydrophobic group of 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms and R.sub.3 is hydrogen or an alkyl group of 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, provided R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 in combination have at least 10 carbon atoms.

Aqueous thickening agents derived from vinyl benzyl ether polymers

Nonionic water soluble thickening agents are prepared by copolymerizing about 1 to 5 mole percent of a vinyl benzyl ether having the formula ##SPC1## And the balance to make 100 mole percent of acrylamide.

Growing community of inventors

Midland, MI, United States of America

Frederick P Corson