US3689531A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Copolymers of lactones and alkylene oxides
Assignee: Union Carbide Corp
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Filing: 1969-04-01
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Granted: 1972-09-05
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Expires: 1989-04-01
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to the manufacture of novel polymeric products which result from the polymerization of an admixture containing lactones, alkylene oxides, and an organic monohydroxyl initiator, using potassium hydroxide as the catalyst therefor.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Edward Critchfield
- 👤 John Edward Hyre
- 👤 Eldon Charles Stout
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:06
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/66; C08G63/664; C08G65/00; C08G65/02; C08G65/26; C08G65/2603; C08G65/2615; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S516/00; Y10S516/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
75 words
The linear copolymers of claim 1 wherein Unit I is wherein each R1, individually, is hydrogen or lower alkyl, with the proviso that no more than three R1 variables are substituents other than hydrogen; and wherein Unit II is wherein each R'''', individually, is hydrogen or lower alkyl; said linear copolymers containing a major amount, on a weight basis, of Unit III above, and a minor amount, on a weight basis, of Unit IV above.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The linear copolymers of claim 2 wherein each R1 variable of Unit III is hydrogen or methyl.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The linear copolymers of claim 2 wherein the R1 variables of Unit III are hydrogen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The linear copolymers of claim 2 wherein said copolymers contain from about 65 to about 95 95 weight percent of Unit III and from about 35 to about 5 weight percent of Unit IV.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The linear copolymers of claim 3 wherein the radical R1(OR'''''')aO- is alkoxy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
228 words
A process for producing linear, essentially block copolymers of lactones and alkylene oxides having molecular weights of from about 300 upwards to about 4,000 which comprises contacting: a. a lactone of the formula: wherein each R, individually, is hydrogen or alkyl or alkoxy having from one to eiGht carbon atoms; and x is an integer having a value of from 4 to 6 inclusive; with the proviso that no more than three R variables are substituents other than hydrogen; b. an alkylene oxide of the formula: wherein each R'', individually, is hydrogen or alkyl or alkoxy having from one to four carbon atoms, or in which the two R'' variables together with both vicinal epoxy carbon atoms of the above shown formula form a saturated or monoethylenically unsaturated cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon ring having from five to six carbon atoms; and c. an organic monofunctional hydroxyl initiator of the formula R1(OR'''''')aOH wherein R1 is hydrocarbyl having up to 18 carbon atoms; R'''''' is alkylene having from two to four carbon atoms and a is an integer having a value of zero to 18; d. using a molar excess of both of said lactone and said alkylene oxide reactants with relation to said organic monofunctional initiator; e. at an elevated temperature and under essentially anhydrous conditions; and f. for a period of time sufficient to produce said linear, essentially block copolymers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said lactone is an epsilon-caprolactone and wherein said alkylene oxide contains from two to four carbon atoms.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alkylene oxide is ethylene oxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said alkylene oxide is propylene oxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-05 | 1976-03-06 | 1976-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-05 | 1980-03-06 | 1980-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-05 | 1984-03-06 | 1984-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |