Aristech Chemical Corporation

Sunoco Inc (r&m)

Jeffrey S Salek

Joseph Pugach

Leonard A Cullo

Carole L Elias

Mark R Rubino

Sehyun Kim

John Edward Aiken

Andrew L Schnitgen

Ronald A Andrekanic

Steven E Mulhall

Yuriy V Bubnov

A thermoplastic polyolefin having a melt flow rate of 20 dg/min or higher at 230&#xb0; C. is produced in reactor without visbreaking. By controlling ratio of the weight average molecular weight of the xylene soluble fraction to the weight average molecular weight of the xylene insoluble fraction, a high melt flow thermoplastic polyolefin can be produced having a good balance of impact and stiffness, tensile elongation at break and gloss properties. Optionally, the ratio of the melt flow rate of the homopolymer phase to the melt flow rate of the total thermoplastic polyolefin can also be controlled. By compounding thermoplastic polyolefins according to the current invention with one or more modifiers, additional compositions can be produced having improved resistance to solvents.

High melt flow rate thermoplastic polyolefins produced in-reactor

A process for producing polymers of &agr;-methylstyrene uses tin IV chloride as a polymerization initiator. Use of tin IV chloride as an initiator allows polymerization to proceed without purification of the monomer prior to processing. Polymerization can be carried out at ambient temperatures with mild exotherms and good polymer yields. The process uses solvents commonly found in a plant producing &agr;-methylstyrene.

Polymerization of alpha-methylstyrene

Trimethylolpropane of high purity is efficiently made by mixing the aldol reaction product of formaldehyde and n-butyraldehyde with at least about 20 wt % of a lower alcohol prior to hydrogenation. The alcohol addition also promotes hydrogenolysis of by-product esters at pressures below 3000 psig and allows recovery of high purity product by simple distillation.

Manufacture of trimethylolpropane

An improved method for transesterification of acrylate and alkyl acrylate esters. The improved method comprises the use of at least one aromatic amine compound having no acidic or ionic groups. The improved inhibitor system enhances the reaction rate of the transesterification reaction while simultaneously maintaining adequate polymerization suppression. The reaction is catalyzed by a basic catalyst, and can be driven by the removal of alcohol as an alcohol/saturated hydrocarbon azeotrope.

Method for transesterification

The present invention relates to a new method of making the dimethacrylate ester of alkoxylated bisphenol-A via transesterification with methyl methacrylate. This transesterification reaction proceeds at low temperatures and is driven by the removal of methanol as a methanol/saturated hydrocarbon azeotrope. The lower temperature reaction advantageously inhibits polyerization of the feed ester. The reaction is catalyzed by potassium based catalysts.

Transesterification reaction of alkoxylated bisphenol-a and methyl

Neopentyl glycol is made from isobutyraldehyde and formaldehyde. The formaldehyde may be in the form of paraformaldehyde or aqueous formaldehyde. The aldol reaction product is mixed with a lower alcohol prior to hydrogenation to promote hydrogenolysis and allow recovery of high purity product by simple distillation. In a less preferred mode, the alcohol may be added after hydrogenation, resulting in a smaller improvement over previous processes.

Manufacture of neopentyl glycol (IV)

This invention provides a unique method of producing 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane ('BPTMC'). The disclosed method manufactures BPTMC from ketals and hemithioketals of 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone ('TMC'). The reaction takes place in the presence of an acid catalyst, and optionally added co-catalysts. Additionally, applicants have disclosed a particularly useful method of manufacturing BPTMC from TMC and alcohol and/or thiol starting materials. These starting materials react to form the TMC ketal or thioketal materials. This method is particularly useful in that it allows recovery and recycling of the alcohol and/or thiol.

Method of making 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane

A process for making 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane via the acid catalyzed reaction of phenol and 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone containing an organic thiol co-catalyst is described wherein the organic thiol is rejuvenated by treatment with a halogen acid and recycled to a fresh mixture of phenol and 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanone to make additional 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane.

Neopentyl glycol is made by reacting isobutyraldehyde with paraformaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary amine and cadmium or yttrium oxide; then hydrogenating the resulting reaction mixture containing hydroxypivaldehyde and at least about 20% 3-hydroxy-2,2-dimethylpropylhydroxypivalate.

Manufacture of neopentyl glycol (IIA)

Neopentyl glycol is made from isobutyraldehyde and paraformaldehyde; the aldol reaction product is directly mixed with a lower alcohol for hydrogenolysis.

Manufacture of neopentyl glycol (III)

Neopentyl glycol is made by reacting isobutyraldehyde with paraformaldehyde in the presence of a tertiary amine and one or more oxides of elements of Groups IB, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIB and VIII of the periodic table; then hydrogenating the resulting hydroxypivaldehyde-containing product.

Manufacture of neopentyl glycol (I)

Methyl isopropenyl ketone is produced from methyl ethyl ketone and paraformaldehyde under mild reaction conditions utilizing a catalyst comprising a halogen acid salt of a secondary amine and (a) a non-soluble solid oxide of an element selected from Groups IB, IIIA, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIB and VIII of the periodic table, or (b) a carboxylic acid. Temperatures of 120-150 and pressures of 700-1400 kpa are preferred; co-products may include ethyl vinyl ketone.

Preparation of methyl isopropenyl ketone

Unsaturated ketones are produced from ketones and paraformadehyde under mild reaction conditions utilizing a catalyst comprising a halogen acid salt of a secondary amine and a nonsoluble solid oxide of an element selected from groups IB, IIIA, IVA, IVB, VA, VB, VIB and VIII of the periodic table. Temperatures of 120-150 and pressures of 700-1200 kpa are preferred; by-products may include di-unsaturated ketones such as divinyl ketone. Unsaturated ketones such as methyl vinyl ketone are useful in imparting ultraviolet sensitivity to plastics which enhances degradability.

Preparation of unsaturated ketones from acetone and paraformaldehyde (II)

Unsaturated ketones are produced from ketones and paraformaldehyde under mild reaction conditions utilizing a catalyst comprising a halogen acid salt of a secondary amine and a small amount of a carboxylic acid. Temperatures of 120.degree.-150.degree. C. and pressures of 775-1135 kilopascals are preferred. Di-unsaturated ketones such as divinyl ketone may also be produced; if the starting ketone already has an unsaturated group, a second unsaturated group will be produced.

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Oakdale Boro, PA, United States of America

Jeffrey S Salek