Process for preparing polycarbonate using sterically hindered secondary amine catalysts

Claim 1

An interfacial polymerization process for preparing a high molecular weight aromatic polycarbonate which comprises reacting, under interfacial polycarbonate-forming conditions, a dihydric phenol with a carbonate precursor in the presence of a catalytic amount of a sterically hindered secondary amine, or its acid addition salt, of the formula ##STR12## wherein R is selected from the group consisting of C 5 to C 30 linear alkyl radicals, substituted C 3 to C 30 linear alkyl radicals, C 3 to C 30 branched alkyl radicals, substituted C 3 to C 30 branched alkyl radicals, C 5 to C 30 linear alkenyl radicals, substituted C 5 to C 30 linear alkenyl radicals, C 3 to C 30 branched alkenyl radicals, substituted C 3 to C 30 branched alkenyl radicals, C 3 to C 12 cycloaliphatic radicals, substituted C 3 to C 12 cycloaliphatic radicals, heterocyclic ring radicals containing 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and one atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, substituted heterocyclic ring radicals containing 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and one atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, C 7 to C 20 aralkyl radicals, and substituted C 7 to C 20 aralkyl radicals; and R 1 is selected from the group consisting of C 1 to C 30 alkyl radicals, substituted C 1 to C 30 alkyl radicals, C 3 to C 12 cycloaliphatic radicals, substituted C 3 to C 12 cycloaliphatic radicals, C 2 to C 30 alkenyl radicals, substituted C 2 to C 30 alkenyl radicals, heterocyclic ring radicals containing 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and one atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, substituted heterocyclic ring radicals containing 3 to 12 ring carbon atoms and one atom selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, C 7 to C 20 aralkyl radicals, and substituted C 7 to C 20 aralkyl radicals.