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US4415721A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Semi or fully continuous process for polyester of bisphenol and dicarboxylic acid by transesterification polymerization and product thereof

Assignee: Celanese Corp
•
Filing: 1981-02-09
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Granted: 1983-11-15
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Expires: 2001-02-09
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Abstract

Abstract Linear aromatic polyesters of bisphenols and dicarboxylic compounds are prepared by transesterification polymerization in either a fully continuous process or in a semi-continuous process wherein a first stage is conducted batchwise and a second stage is conducted in a continuous manner wherein the second stage employs a wiped film reactor, alternatively, a wiped film reactor followed by a vented extrusion reactor. The processes are preferably conducted in the presence of a catalyst in liquid form, and further under conditions wherein the catalyst is introduced to the polymerization concurrent with the introduction of liquid phase reactants to avoid substantial heating of the reactants in contact with the catalyst prior to onset of the transesterification reaction. The products of the processes have an unexpectedly low polydispersity.

Inventors

  • 👤 George M. Kosanovich
  • 👤 Gideon Salee

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-30 21:16
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08G; C08G63/00; C08G63/78; C08G63/02; C08G63/12; C08G63/16; C08G63/18; C08G63/19

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim 143 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification melt polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in a polymerization reaction zone which comprises reacting said bisphenol and said diaryl ester in a first reaction stage of said zone to prepare a polyester oligomer, and thereafter continuing the reaction in a second reaction stage of said zone to produce the polyester product, the improvement wherein the polymerization is carried out in the first reaction stage either batchwise or substantially continuously, and the polymerization is continued in the second reaction stage substantially continuously, with the provision that when the polymerization in the first reaction stage is carried out batchwise, the polymerization in the second stage comprises polymerization in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 143 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification melt polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in a polymerization reaction zone which comprises reacting said bisphenol and said diaryl ester in a first reaction stage of said zone to prepare a polyester oligomer, and thereafter continuing the reaction in a second reaction stage of said zone to produce the polyester product, the improvement wherein the polymerization is carried out in the first reaction stage either batchwise or substantially continuously, and the polymerization is continued in the second reaction stage substantially continuously, with the provision that when the polymerization in the first reaction stage is carried out batchwise, the polymerization in the second stage comprises polymerization in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of a catalyst that is normally solid at 30° C., but which is introduced to the polymerization process in liquid form.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the wiped film reaction zone provides for counter-current flow of the reaction mixture and the vapor by-product of the reaction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the bisphenol is bisphenol-A.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 38 words
The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the diaryl ester is the diaryl ester of a mixture of about 15 to about 85 mol percent isophthalic acid and about 85 to about 15 mol percent terephthalic acid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 5 wherein the diaryl ester is the diphenyl ester.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 1 or 2 wherein the liquid catalyst is a normally solid material in molten form or a normally solid material in solution in a solvent for the catalyst.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the liquid catalyst is a solution of a metal phenoxide in phenol.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the metal phenoxide is potassium phenoxide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the metal phenoxide is rubidium phenoxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the metal phenoxide is lithium phenoxide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the metal phenoxide is sodium phenoxide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the liquid catalyst is the reaction product of potassium borohydride and phenol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 75 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in a polymerization zone, said zone comprising a series of at least two reaction stages, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization reaction in the final stage of the series continuously, in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 75 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in a polymerization zone, said zone comprising a series of at least two reaction stages, the improvement which comprises carrying out the polymerization reaction in the final stage of the series continuously, in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 35 words
In the process of claim 14 wherein the reaction is a transesterification melt polymerization and the wiped film reaction zone provides for counter-current flow of the reaction mixture and the vapor by-product of the reaction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 10 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the bisphenol is bisphenol-A.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 36 words
The process of claim 14 wherein the diaryl ester is the diaryl ester of a mixture of about 15 to about 85 mol percent isophthalic acid and about 85 to about 15 mole percent terephthalic acid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 17 wherein the diaryl ester is the diphenyl ester.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 115 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for the polymerization reaction, the improvement which comprises introducing a basic catalyst that is normally solid at 30° C., to the polymerization reaction in liquid form, said polymerization reaction being carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final reaction stage of said series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 115 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for the polymerization reaction, the improvement which comprises introducing a basic catalyst that is normally solid at 30° C., to the polymerization reaction in liquid form, said polymerization reaction being carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final reaction stage of said series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 34 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the reaction is a transesterification melt polymerization and the wiped film reaction zone provides for counter-current flow of the reaction mixture and the vapor by-product of the reaction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 10 words
The process of claim 20 wherein the bisphenol is bisphenol-A.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 36 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the diaryl ester is the diaryl ester of a mixture of about 15 to about 85 mol percent isophthalic acid and about 85 to about 15 mol percent terephthalic acid.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 22 wherein the diaryl ester is the diphenyl ester.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 31 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the liquid catalyst is a normally solid material in a molten form or a normally solid material in solution in a solvent for the catalyst.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 19 wherein the liquid catalyst is a solution of a metal phenoxide in phenol.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 25 wherein the metal phenoxide is potassium phenoxide.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 25 wherein the metal phenoxide is rubidium phenoxide.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 25 wherein the metal phenoxide is lithium phenoxide.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 25 wherein the metal phenoxide is sodium phenoxide.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 24 wherein the liquid catalyst is the reaction product of potassium borohydride and phenol.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 131 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for said polymerization reaction in the liquid state, the improvement which comprises introducing a basic catalyst that is normally solid at 30° C., in liquid form to the polymerization reaction substantially concurrently with introduction of the liquid state reactants to the polymerization, wherein the polymerization reaction is carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final stage of the series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 131 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for said polymerization reaction in the liquid state, the improvement which comprises introducing a basic catalyst that is normally solid at 30° C., in liquid form to the polymerization reaction substantially concurrently with introduction of the liquid state reactants to the polymerization, wherein the polymerization reaction is carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final stage of the series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 24 words
The process of claim 31 wherein the first stage of the reaction is carried out batchwise and the reaction is a transesterification melt polymerization.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 31 or 32, wherein the liquid catalyst is a normally solid material in molten form or a normally solid material in solution in a solvent for the catalyst.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 33 wherein the liquid catalyst is a solution of a metal phenoxide in phenol.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 34 wherein the liquid catalyst is the reaction product of potassium borohydride and phenol.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 12 words
The process of claim 34 or 35 wherein the bisphenol is bisphenol-A.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 35 words
The process of claim 36 wherein the diaryl ester is the diaryl ester of a mixture of about 15 to about 85 mol percent isophthalic acid and about 85 to 15 mol percent terephthalic acid.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 37 wherein the diaryl ester is the diphenyl ester.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 124 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for said polymerization wherein said reactants are introduced to the polymerization reaction in the liquid state, the improvement which comprises introducing the catalyst to the polymerization substantially concurrently with introduction of the reactants to the polymerization, said polymerization reaction being carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final stage of said series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 124 words
In the process of preparing a linear aromatic polyester by transesterification polymerization of monomer reactants consisting essentially of a bisphenol and a diaryl ester of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a basic catalyst for said polymerization wherein said reactants are introduced to the polymerization reaction in the liquid state, the improvement which comprises introducing the catalyst to the polymerization substantially concurrently with introduction of the reactants to the polymerization, said polymerization reaction being carried out in a polymerization zone which comprises a series of at least two reaction stages wherein the polymerization reaction in the final stage of said series is carried out continuously in a wiped film reaction zone followed by polymerization carried out continuously in a vented extrusion reaction zone.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 24 words
The process of claim 39 wherein the first stage of the reaction is carried out batchwise and the reaction is a transesterification melt polymerization.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 32 words
The process of claim 39 or 40 wherein the liquid catalyst is a normally solid material in molten form or a normally solid material in solution in a solvent for the catalyst.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 41 wherein the liquid catalyst is a solution of a metal phenoxide in phenol.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 18 words
The process of claim 42 wherein the liquid catalyst is the reaction product of potassium borohydride and phenol.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 39, 42 or 43 wherein the bisphenol is bisphenol-A.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 35 words
The process of claim 44 wherein the diaryl ester is the diaryl ester of a mixture of about 15 to about 85 mol percent isophthalic acid and about 85 to 15 mol percent terephthalic acid.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 13 words
The process of claim 45 wherein the diaryl ester is the diphenyl ester.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 30 words
The process of claim 15, 19, 31, or 39 wherein said wiped film reaction zone provides for counter-current flow of the reaction mixture and the vapor by-product of the reaction.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4319017A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-11-14 1987-05-16 1987-11-15 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-11-14 1991-05-16 1991-11-15 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-11-14 1995-05-16 1995-11-15 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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