Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A graft polymer obtained by grafting a polymer substrate with a compound of the formula (IIA): in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1-4 alkyl groups; n is from 2 to 4; R 1 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl and the substrate has halogen substituted groups which can form free radicals, the grafting reaction being initiated by formation of a radical on the substrate at the halogen substituted group followed by reaction of the radical with the ethylenic group of compound (IIA).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
165 words
A graft polymer obtained by grafting a polymer substrate with a compound of the formula (IIA): in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1-4 alkyl groups; n is from 2 to 4; R 1 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl and the substrate has halogen substituted groups which can form free radicals, the grafting reaction being initiated by formation of a radical on the substrate at the halogen substituted group followed by reaction of the radical with the ethylenic group of compound (IIA).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A polymer according to claim 1, which is obtained by grafting with a compound of formula (IIA), in which X is a C 1 -C 20 alkylene group.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A polymer according to claim 1 or 2, which is obtained by grafting a compound of formula (IIA) in which n is 2 and each of the groups R is methyl.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A polymer according to claim 1, which is obtained by radical initiated polymerization of the compound of formula (IIA) and optionally a diluent comonomer, the reaction polymerization being initiated by formation of a radical at the substrate using a metal carbonyl initiator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A polymer according to claim 4, in which the compound of formula (IIA) is 2(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl-2'(trimethylammonium)ethyl phosphate inner salt.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A shaped article having one or more surfaces comprising a graft polymer as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
An article according to claim 6, which is a biomedical device, contact lens or blood-contacting device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
171 words
A process for producing a graft polymer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a polymer having halogen atom substituents; (ii) reacting the polymer with an initiator such that a free radical is formed on the polymer at the halogen substituent; (iii) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical formed in step (ii) of a compound of formula (IIA): ##STR41## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1-4 alkyl groups; n is from 2 to 4, R 1 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (iv) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
171 words
A process for producing a graft polymer comprising the steps of: (i) providing a polymer having halogen atom substituents; (ii) reacting the polymer with an initiator such that a free radical is formed on the polymer at the halogen substituent; (iii) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical formed in step (ii) of a compound of formula (IIA): ##STR41## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon-carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1-4 alkyl groups; n is from 2 to 4, R 1 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl, and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (iv) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 8 in which, X is a C 1 -C 20 alkylene group.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
37 words
A process according to claim 8 in which polymerization is initiated at hydroxyl groups on the polymer substrate by a cerium (IV) salt or at halogen atoms on the polymer substrate by molybdenum hexacarbonyl or dirhenium decacarbonyl.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A process according to claim 8 in which the polymer substrate is in solid or gel form during the grafting reaction.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 11 in which the polymer substrate forms the surface of a shaped article.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
168 words
A process for producing a graft polymer, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a polymer substantially free of reactive groups; (ii) subjecting the polymer to oxidation by a treatment selected from the group consisting of oxygen plasma treatment, reaction with a peracid, reaction with a hypohalite, and reaction with ozone, to introduce hydroxyl groups onto the polymer; (iii) reacting the hydroxyl groups with an initiator to form a free radical; (iv) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical of a compound of the formula (IIA): ##STR42## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group; n is from 2-4, R 1 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (v) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
168 words
A process for producing a graft polymer, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a polymer substantially free of reactive groups; (ii) subjecting the polymer to oxidation by a treatment selected from the group consisting of oxygen plasma treatment, reaction with a peracid, reaction with a hypohalite, and reaction with ozone, to introduce hydroxyl groups onto the polymer; (iii) reacting the hydroxyl groups with an initiator to form a free radical; (iv) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical of a compound of the formula (IIA): ##STR42## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is a straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group; n is from 2-4, R 1 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (v) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process according to claim 13, in which the polymer substrate is selected from the group consisting of: polyvinyldifluoride, a polypropylene, a polyamide, a polyimide, a polyurethane, a polyimine, and a polyether sulphone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 13 in which radical polymerisation is initiated by a cerium (IV) salt.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 13, in which Y is --O--.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 13, in which X is a C 1 -C 20 alkylene group.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 13, in which the compound of formula (IIA) is 2(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl-2'(trimethylammonium)ethyl phosphate inner salt.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process for producing a graft polymer, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a substrate having a surface; (ii) laying down a subbing layer of a subbing polymer; (iii) reacting the polymer with an initiator such that a free radical is formed on the polymer; (iv) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical of a compound of the formula (IIA): ##STR43## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is an aryl group or straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1 -C 4 alkyl; n is from 2-4, R 1 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (v) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
177 words
A process for producing a graft polymer, comprising the steps of: (i) providing a substrate having a surface; (ii) laying down a subbing layer of a subbing polymer; (iii) reacting the polymer with an initiator such that a free radical is formed on the polymer; (iv) initiating graft polymerization at the free radical of a compound of the formula (IIA): ##STR43## in which the groups R are the same or different and each is a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl group; X is an aryl group or straight or branched C 1 -C 20 alkylene group, optionally containing one or more carbon double or triple bonds, ether linkages or aryl groups; the aryl groups being unsubstituted or substituted by one or more C 1 -C 4 alkyl; n is from 2-4, R 1 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and Y is --O-- or --NR 2 -- where R 2 is hydrogen or a straight or branched C 1 -C 4 alkyl; and (v) recovering the grafted product.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
11 words
A process according to claim 19, in which Y is --O--.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A process according to claim 19, in which X is a C 1 -C 20 alkylene group.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 19, in which the compound of formula (IIA) is 2(methacryloyloxy)-ethyl-2'(trimethylammonium)ethyl phosphate inner salt.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 19, in which the subbing polymer is selected from the group consisting of halogenated polyethylene imines, poly(hydroxyalkyl(alk)acrylates) and poly(trialkoxysilylalkyl(alk)acrylates).