Celanese Gmbh

University Patents, Inc.

Henry K Hall, Jr

Gordon W Calundann

Husam A Rasoul

Anne B Padias

Masahiko Okada

Hiroshi Sumitomo

The synthesis of novel strained bicyclic lactones and their ring-opening polymerization to high molecular weight polyester polymers is disclosed.

Synthesis and ring-opening polymerization of bicyclic lactones

Linear, melt processable, crosslinkable, thermotropic wholly aromatic ('liquid crystal') polyesters are prepared by polymerizing difunctional stilbene or tolan derivatives as comonomers with non-ethylenically and non-acetylenically unsaturated aromatic diols, dicarboxylic acids, hydroxy acids or reactive derivatives thereof. Shaped structures made from these polyesters are crosslinked using electron-poor monomers, such as maleic anhydride.

Linear, melt processable, crosslinkable, thermotropic wholly aromatic

In the two stage reaction of terephthalic acid with 1,4-butanediol to produce polybutylene terephthalate in which acid and diol are first subjected to catalytic esterification/oligomerization and the resulting products are thereafter subjected to catalytic polycondensation, the co-production of tetrahydrofuran is significantly reduced by conducting the polycondensation reaction prior to completion of the esterification/oligomerization reaction.

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Tuscon, AZ, United States of America

Henry K Hall, Jr