General Electric Company

Cyclics Corporation

Other

Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.v.

Peter David Phelps

Eugene Pauling Boden

Larry I Flowers

Daniel Joseph Brunelle

Timothy A Thompson

Paul Dean Sybert

Roy Ray Odle

Yi-Feng Wang

Joseph John Caringi

David L Ramsey

Ganesh Kailasam

Steven J Winckler

Thomas Link Guggenheim

David Michel Dardaris

Elliott West Shanklin

Kevin R Stewart

Paul Edward Howson

Gary R Faler

Gary Charles Davis

James Manio Silva

Jimmy Lynn Webb

Thomas Joseph Fyvie

David Winfield Woodruff

Norman Enoch Johnson

Raul Eduardo Ayala

Christopher P Yakymyshyn

Amy Rene Freshour

Donald Frank Rohr

Donald G Le Grand

David Patrick Phelon

Paul M Andrusyszyn

Patrick Joseph McCloskey

Tohru Takekoshi

Farid Fouad Khouri

James Franklin Hoover

Mark Erik Nelson

Joseph A King, Jr

James Lawrence Spivack

Paul William Buckley

David Bruce Hall

Pradeep Jeevaji Nadkarni

David Paul Mobley

Lioba Maria Kloppenburg

Mohan Mark Amaratunga

Sheree Lynell Schattenmann

Thomas Joseph Fyve

Danielle R Joyce

Adelbert Hermannus Groothuis

Erik Hendrick Capelle

The invention provides methods and systems for manufacturing low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate, for example, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The invention also provides methods and systems for preparing macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO) from low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate. Finally, the invention provides methods and systems for preparing MPO via reaction of a diol and a dialkyl ester in an organic solvent to form non-isolated, low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate which undergoes cyclization (depolymerization) to form MPO.

Preparation of low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate and preparation of macrocyclic polyester oligomer therefrom

The invention relates to methods and systems for the use of an oligomer recyclate from a depolymerization product stream. The oligomer byproduct of a polyester depolymerization reaction can be used as a reactant in the formation of a polyester. For example, linear oligomer byproduct can be used as a reactant in a solution polymerization to form a low-acid polyalkylene terephthalate.

Use of a residual oligomer recyclate in the production of macrocyclic polyester oligomer

The invention relates to methods and systems for selective removal of catalyst residue from a depolymerization product stream without a water quench, as well as methods and systems for subsequent recovery of residual linear oligomer. The substantially metal-free and substantially water-free residual oligomer byproduct can then be advantageously used as recyclate in a process for preparing MPO. For example, the residual oligomer recyclate can be used as a reactant in the polymerization and subsequent depolymerization (cyclization) of low-acid polyester to form MPO.

Methods for removing catalyst residue from a depolymerization process stream

Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligoesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Isolation, formulation, and shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters

Organo-titanate catalysts are prepared that are useful to catalyze depolymerization of a polyester to produce macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from macrocyclic co-oligoesters.

Organo-titanate catalysts for preparing pure macrocyclic oligoesters

In one aspect, the invention relates to processes for producing substantially free-flowing shapes of macrocyclic oligoester, wherein the freshly-shaped macrocyclic oligoester is maintained at elevated temperature for a sufficient time. In certain embodiments, the shapes are heated in water, thereby avoiding agglomeration during the heating process itself. In another aspect, the invention relates to processes for removing solvent from a solution of macrocyclic oligoester using elevated temperature, reduced pressure, or both, thereby obviating the need for an anti-solvent to precipitate the macrocyclic oligoester from the solution. Other aspects of the invention related to shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters are presented as well.

Processes for shaping macrocyclic oligoesters

The invention provides methods and formulations involving the use of promoters that accelerate the polymerization of macrocyclic polyester oligomers (MPOs). For example, in certain embodiments, the invention provides blends of macrocyclic polyester oligomer (MPO), catalyst, and promoter that are substantially stable at ambient temperature for a period of time. The blend material may be stored without premature polymerization of MPO or deactivation of catalyst. The invention also provides processes employing one-part, ready-to-polymerize blends that contain MPO, catalyst, and promoter, as well as processes in which the catalyst and promoter are used in separate streams and are contacted when it is desired to accelerate polymerization of MPO. Methods of the invention offer advantages in the manufacture of thermoplastic parts and composites, due at least in part to the unique properties of MPO.

Methods for polymerizing macrocyclic polyester oligomers using catalyst promoters

This invention relates to single-component and multi-component catalytic systems using aryl titanates. Aryl titanate compounds are useful as catalysts and co-catalysts in single-component and multi-component catalytic systems (e.g., for the polymerization of macrocyclic oligoesters and the depolymerization of polyesters). Multi-component catalytic systems using aryl titanates allow increased versatility in applications such as liquid molding.

Catalytic systems

The specification describes a continuous process for the preparation of monofunctional aromatic chloroformates (MAC) having the structure (I) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 5, and Rrepresents hydrogen, a branched or unbranched alkyl group having from 1&#x2013;15 carbon atoms, an aryl group which may be substituted or unsubstituted, a cycloaliphatic group which may be substituted or unsubstituted, or an arylalkyl group which may be substituted or unsubstituted.

Method and apparatus for preparing monofunctional aromatic chloroformates suitable for use as chainstopping agents

Processes for isolating, formulating, and shaping macrocyclic oligesters were developed which allow efficient production of macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free from solvent, which may include additives, fillers, and catalysts.

Isolation, formulation and shaping of macrocyclic oligoesters

Acid impurities, such as carboxylic acid-terminated polymers, are removed from macrocyclic oligoesters with ion exchange resins, resulting in macrocyclic oligoesters that are substantially free of acid impurities. The ion exchange resins can be regenerated anew and reused by washing the resins with various wash solutions. Macrocyclic oligoesters substantially free of acid impurities polymerize to much higher molecular weight polyesters than macrocyclic oligoesters containing acid impurities.

Purification of macrocyclic oligoesters

Aromatic polyethers are prepared by displacement polymerization reaction in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent with boiling point at atmospheric pressure of greater than 110&deg; C. and a density ratio to water of greater than 1.1:1 at 20-25&deg; C. The polyethers are purified by processes comprising aqueous extraction, or filtration, or a combination thereof.

Method for purification of aromatic polyethers

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Schenectady, NY, United States of America

Peter David Phelps