E.i. Dupont De Nemours and Company

Rutger D Puts

Charles J Brandenburg

Edmund Arthur Flexman

David M Dean

George Henry Hofmann

Randal D King

Kenneth R Tarburton

Polymers containing &#x3b1;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &#x3b1;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &#x3b1;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &#x3b1;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &#x3b1;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Blends of poly[&#x3b1;-methylenelact(one)(am)] homo-and copolymers

Polymers containing &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones are useful in blends with other polymers. For examples such polymers which have reactive groups are toughened by mixing with a rubbery material which has complimentary reactive groups, or polymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) are toughened by mixing with polymeric core-shell particles having an elastomeric core and a specified thermoplastic shell. The properties of thermoplastics are also improved by blending with &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones containing (co)polymers.

Blends of poly&lsqb;&agr;-methylenelact(one)(am&rsqb; homo- and copolymers

This invention pertains to a process for making &agr;-methylenelactones and &agr;-substitute hydrocarbylidene lactones. More specifically, the present invention obtains high yields of &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone by heating &ggr;-butyrolactone and diethyl oxalate in the presence of a base. The second step comprises treatment of the &agr;-oxalyl enolate salt with formaldehyde to afford the &agr;-methylene-&ggr;-butyrolactone.

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Wilmington, DE, United States of America

Rutger D Puts