US4195167A — Gradient polymers of two or more cyclic, organic,…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 205 words

Polymer of a starter and at least two different 1,2-epoxide monomers capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with themselves and each other, said polymers being characterized by polymer chains attached to said starter and along which the proportion of mer units provided by a first said monomer in a given chain length gradually increases as the proportion of mer units provided by a second said monomer gradually decreases, said characterizing polymer chains being produced by the process which comprises: introducing a starter and at least one primary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization from at least one primary feed source to a polymerization zone, said primary polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of the 1,2-epoxide monomers therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said primary feed source at least one different 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with itself and said first mentioned monomer, from at least one secondary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of the polymerizable monomers in said primary polymerizable feed composition in said primary feed source; and continuously polymerizing the primary polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until the desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 205 words

Polymer of a starter and at least two different 1,2-epoxide monomers capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with themselves and each other, said polymers being characterized by polymer chains attached to said starter and along which the proportion of mer units provided by a first said monomer in a given chain length gradually increases as the proportion of mer units provided by a second said monomer gradually decreases, said characterizing polymer chains being produced by the process which comprises: introducing a starter and at least one primary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization from at least one primary feed source to a polymerization zone, said primary polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of the 1,2-epoxide monomers therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said primary feed source at least one different 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with itself and said first mentioned monomer, from at least one secondary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of the polymerizable monomers in said primary polymerizable feed composition in said primary feed source; and continuously polymerizing the primary polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until the desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 43 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjacent one end of said given polymer chain lengths the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer is substantially 100% and the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer is substantially 0%.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 77 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein adjacent one end of said given chain lengths the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer is substantially 100% and the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer is substantially 0% and adjacent other end of said polymer chains the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer is substantially 0% and the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer is substantially 100%.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 76 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said polymer chains along which the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer for said given chain length gradually increases as the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer along said given chain length gradually decreases are attached to second chain lengths along which the proportion of mer units provided by said first and second monomers, respectively, remain substantially constant throughout said second chain lengths.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 47 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 4 wherein said polymer chains comprise third chain lengths connected to said second chain lengths along which the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer gradually increases as the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer gradually decreases.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 24 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the proportion of mer units provided by said first monomer in said second chain lengths is zero.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 24 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the proportion of mer units provided by said second monomer in said second chain lengths is zero.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 35 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein the proportion of mer units provided by said first and second monomers adjacent each end of said given chain lengths is greater than zero but less than 100%.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 37 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 2 wherein adjacent the other end of said given polymer chain lengths the proportion of mer units provided by said first and second monomers is greater than zero but less than 100%.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 25 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first monomer is ethylene oxide and said second monomer is 1,2-propylene oxide and said polymer is butanol-started.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 38 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 10 wherein the overall amount of ethylene oxide polymerized therein is about 40 to 50 wt. % and the overall amount of 1,2-propylene oxide polymerized therein is about 60 to 50 wt. %.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 26 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first monomer is ethylene oxide and said second monomer is 1,2-propylene oxide and said polymer is allyl alcohol-started.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

Polymer as claimed in claim 12 wherein the overall amount of ethylene oxide polymerized therein is about 40 to 50 wt. % and the overall amount of 1,2-propylene oxide polymerized therein is about 60 to 50 wt. %.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 142 words

A process for producing a polymer comprising introducing a starter and at least one primary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization from at least one primary feed source to a polymerization zone, said primary polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of the polymerizable monomers therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said primary feed source at least one different secondary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one different 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with itself and said first mentioned monomer, from at least one secondary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of the polymerizable monomers in said primary polymerizable feed composition in said primary feed source; and continuously polymerizing the primary polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 142 words

A process for producing a polymer comprising introducing a starter and at least one primary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization from at least one primary feed source to a polymerization zone, said primary polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of the polymerizable monomers therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said primary feed source at least one different secondary polymerizable feed composition comprising at least one different 1,2-epoxide monomer capable of ring-opening, addition polymerization with itself and said first mentioned monomer, from at least one secondary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of the polymerizable monomers in said primary polymerizable feed composition in said primary feed source; and continuously polymerizing the primary polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 39 words

A process as claimed in claim 14 wherein a single primary feed source introduces primary polymerizable feed composition to the polymerization zone while a single secondary feed source simultaneously introduces secondary polymerizable feed composition to said primary feed source.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 23 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said primary feed composition initially is 1,2-propylene oxide and said secondary feed composition is ethylene oxide.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 23 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said primary feed composition initially is ethylene oxide and said secondary feed composition is 1,2-propylene oxide.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 29 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said primary feed composition initially is 1,2-propylene oxide and said secondary feed composition is a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 29 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said primary feed composition initially is a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide and second secondary feed composition is ethylene oxide.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 71 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein, after the primary polymerizable feed composition is polymerized, a second stage primary polymerizable composition is introduced into the polymerization zone and a second stage secondary polymerizable composition is introduced into the second stage primary polymerizable feed composition so as to continually change its compositional content of polymerizable monomers and the second stage primary polymerizable feed composition introduced into the polymerization zone is continuously polymerized.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 60 words

Process as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first stage primary polymerizable feed composition comprises 1,2-propylene oxide, the first stage secondary polymerizable feed composition comprises a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide, the second stage primary polymerizable feed composition comprises a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide and the second stage secondary polymerizable feed composition comprises ethylene oxide.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 73 words

Process as claimed in claim 20 wherein the first stage primary polymerizable feed composition comprises a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide, the first stage secondary polymerizable feed composition comprises a different mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide, the second stage primary polymerizable feed composition comprises a mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide and the second stage secondary polymerizable feed composition comprises another mixture of ethylene oxide and 1,2-propylene oxide.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 56 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein 1,2-propylene oxide is introduced into and polymerized in said polymerization zone prior to introduction of said primary and/or secondary polymerizable compositions into and polymerization thereof in said polymerization zone and wherein said primary polymerizable feed composition is 1,2-propylene oxide and said second secondary polymerizable feed composition is ethylene oxide.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 56 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein ethylene oxide is introduced into and polymerized in said polymerization zone prior to introduction of said primary and/or secondary polymerizable compositions into and polymerization thereof in said polymerization zone and wherein said primary polymerizable feed composition is ethylene oxide and said second secondary polymerizable feed composition is 1,2-propylene oxide.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 21 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said polymerization zone is charged with butanol as a starter and an alkaline catalyst.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 22 words

Process as claimed in claim 14 wherein said polymerization zone is charged with allyl alcohol as a starter and an alkaline catalyst.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 151 words

A copolymer of (a) ethylene oxide and (b) at least one other 1,2-epoxide monomer which undergoes ring-opening addition polymerization in the presence of an active hydrogen containing initiator to form a secondary hydroxyl terminal group, said copolymer having a controlled ratio of primary to secondary hydroxyl terminal groups and which is produced by continuously introducing at least one main polymerizable feed composition from a main feed source to a polymerization zone, said main polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of (a) and (b) therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said main feed source and thoroughly mixing therein at least one different auxiliary feed composition from at least one auxiliary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of (a) and (b) in said main polymerizable feed source; and polymerizing the main polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 151 words

A copolymer of (a) ethylene oxide and (b) at least one other 1,2-epoxide monomer which undergoes ring-opening addition polymerization in the presence of an active hydrogen containing initiator to form a secondary hydroxyl terminal group, said copolymer having a controlled ratio of primary to secondary hydroxyl terminal groups and which is produced by continuously introducing at least one main polymerizable feed composition from a main feed source to a polymerization zone, said main polymerizable feed composition continually varying in compositional content of (a) and (b) therein during said continuous introduction; simultaneously adding to said main feed source and thoroughly mixing therein at least one different auxiliary feed composition from at least one auxiliary feed source so as to continually change the compositional content of (a) and (b) in said main polymerizable feed source; and polymerizing the main polymerizable feed composition introduced to the polymerization zone until desired polymerization has been achieved.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 17 words

A copolymer as claimed in claim 27 wherein (a) is ethylene oxide and (b) is propylene oxide.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 31 words

A copolymer as claimed in claim 28, wherein said copolymer is a liquid at 30° C. and at least 90 weight percent of its terminal hydroxyl groups are primary hydroxyl groups.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 31 words

A copolymer as claimed in claim 28, wherein said copolymer is a liquid at 30° C. and at least 90 weight percent of its terminal hydroxyl groups are secondary hydroxyl groups.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1983-03-25	1983-09-24	1984-03-25	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1987-03-25	1987-09-24	1988-03-25	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1991-03-25	1991-09-24	1992-03-25	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Gradient polymers of two or more cyclic, organic, ring-opening, addition polymerizable monomers and methods for making same

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