Classifications

• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G64/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carbonic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G64/04—Aromatic polycarbonates
  • C08G64/06—Aromatic polycarbonates not containing aliphatic unsaturation
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G64/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carbonic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G64/04—Aromatic polycarbonates
  • C08G64/06—Aromatic polycarbonates not containing aliphatic unsaturation
  • C08G64/14—Aromatic polycarbonates not containing aliphatic unsaturation containing a chain-terminating or -crosslinking agent
• • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
  • C08—ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
  • C08G—MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
  • C08G64/00—Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carbonic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
  • C08G64/16—Aliphatic-aromatic or araliphatic polycarbonates
  • C08G64/1608—Aliphatic-aromatic or araliphatic polycarbonates saturated
  • C08G64/1616—Aliphatic-aromatic or araliphatic polycarbonates saturated containing a chain-terminating or -crosslinking agent

Definitions

• Polycarbonates are well known for their excellent properties.
• the glass transition temperature of polycarbonates is generally high.
• a high glass transition temperature is desired in many applications, for example when high temperature resistance is desired.
• a high glass transition temperature renders the processing of the polycarbonate quite difficult.
• EP-A-0 565 311 and EP-A-0 508 775 suggest copolycarbonates which are said to have increased flow together with high thermal stability.
• the copolycarbonate according to EP-A-0 565 31 1 is a block aromatic copolycarbonate which has from 2 to 30 mole percent, preferably from 5 to 20 mole percent, of the total repeating carbonate units derived from resorcinol.
• EP-A-0 508 775 suggests a method of producing copolymerized polycarbonates wherein the amount of optionally alkylated or halogenated resorcinol is 2 to 90 mole percent, based on the total amount of the aromatic dihydroxy compounds.
• the amount of the optionally alkylated or halogenated resorcinol is 5 to 70 mole percent, more preferably 10 to 60 mole percent.
• resorcinol is considerably more sensitive to oxidation than bisphenol A.
• increased oxidation results in discoloration of the polymer solution and of the produced polycarbonate.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,274,068 and European Patent Application EP-A-0 654 491 disclose a copoiyester-carbonate with a reduced glass transition temperature Tg.
• the copolyester-carbonate according to U.S. Patent No. 5,274,068 are produced by reacting a dihydric phenol, a carbonate precursor and an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms under certain conditions.
• the copolymers according to EP-A-0 654 491 are based on bisphenol-A, an alkanedionic acid, and 1 ,1 ,1 -tris-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane.
• the Tg is said to be reduced by the presence of aliphatic diester blocks. Unfortunately, large amounts of the aliphatic diacids are required to achieve a satisfactory reduction of the Tg
• A is C[(CH 2 ).CH 3 ](CH 2 ) k CH 3 , j is from 0 to 6, k is from 7 to 20, X 1 and Y 1 are hydrogen, halogen, C, Q -alkyl or C g 15 -aryl; and m and n are from 1 to 4.
• the polycarbonate also contains repeating units of Formula I above wherein A is C, 15 -alkylidene, C. ⁇ -alkylene, Cg_ 15 -arylene, O, S, S0 2 , CO or a direct bond and X 1 ,
• the polycarbonate is preferably produced by reacting Bisphenol-A, phosgene oligomer and 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)dodecane. Unfortunately, difficulties like low yields and production of by-products are experienced during the preparation of 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)dodecane.
• European Patent Application 0 230 608 discloses a thermoplastic polyester- carbonate resin which contains copolymerized, in the polymer chain, divalent moieties of a monoester of trimellitic acid.
• the monoester of trimellitic acid is prepared by the reaction of trimellitic anhydride with an aliphatic alcohol.
• high amounts of the above- mentioned divalent moieties have to be incorporated in the polyester-carbonate resin to achieve a substantive reduction of the glass transition temperature T g . According to the
• Tg reduction between 1.4°C and 13.4°C is achieved when 10 or 20 mole percent of the above-mentioned divalent moieties, based on bisphenol A, are incorporated in the polyester-carbonate resin.
• One object of the present invention is to provide a new polycarbonate which has a reduced glass transition temperature and, accordingly, an improved flowability.
• One aspect of the present invention is a polycarbonate which contains an end- capping group of Formula II:
• A is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group or a group containing one or three aromatic or heteroaromatic rings to which the oxygens or carboxyl groups are directly linked, with the proviso that A does not contain a heteroatom outside the aromatic ring(s),
• n is 0 or 1
• n' is 0 or 1
• n" is 0 or 1 , provided that n' is 0 when n" is 1 ,
• Y is a hydrocarbon group or a group of Formula
• E in each occurrence independently is O, R 2 Si or R 2 Si-0, R in each occurrence independently is H or C, ⁇ -alkyl, m in each occurrence independently is 0, 1 , 2, 3, or 4, p is from 1 to 50 and q is 0 or 1.
• n and n will generally be the same.
• polycarbonate as used herein also includes carbonate copolymers, such as copolyester carbonates or copolyether carbonates.
• a preferred aspect of the present invention is an above-mentioned polycarbonate which additionally contains one or more groups of Formula IX copolymerized in the polymer backbone,
• Another aspect of the present invention is a polycarbonate composition which contains an above-mentioned polycarbonate and a compound of Formula VIII:
• Yet another aspect of the present invention is a process for producing a polycarbonate which comprises reacting at least (1 ) a carbonate precursor,
• X is halogen
• n' is O or 1
• a and Y have the meanings indicated above.
• the polycarbonate of the present invention is useful for molding articles, particularly for producing blow molded articles, such as hollow articles having thin walls.
• another aspect of the present invention is a molded article produced from the polycarbonate or polycarbonate composition of the present invention, particularly a molded article produced by blow-molding.
• the glass transition temperature of a polycarbonate can be lowered by incorporating one or more groups of Formula II above into the polycarbonate.
• the polycarbonate or polycarbonate composition of the present invention has a reduced glass transition temperature, even if it contains a low level of a group of Formula II, for example from 0.5 to 5 mole percent.
• A can be an aliphatic hydrocarbon group which preferably contains from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, more preferably from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
• the hydrocarbon group is preferably saturated.
• Examples of preferred aliphatic hydrocarbon groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl.
• A is preferably a group containing one or three aromatic or heteroaromatic rings to which the oxygens or carboxyl groups are directly linked, with the proviso that A does not contain a heteroatom outside the aromatic ring(s).
• Preferred heteroatom(s) in the aromatic ring(s) are oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen.
• the aromatic ring(s) may be substituted with one ore more alkyl or alkoxy groups which generally contain from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 3, more preferably 1 carbon atom(s). More preferred meanings for A are optionally alkylated or alkoxylated phenyl and (triphenyl)alkyi wherein the phenyl groups are optionally alkylated or alkoxylated.
• the alkyl group in (triphenyl)alkyl generally contains from 1 to 12, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably from 1 to 3, most preferably 1 carbon atom(s).
• A is preferably (triphenyl)alkyl wherein the phenyl groups are optionally alkylated, as indicated above.
• the optionally alkylated phenyl groups can be bound to the same or different carbon atoms of the alkyl group. Preferably, they are bound to the same carbon atom. The most preferred meaning for A is
• R' in each occurrence independently is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy, more preferably hydrogen.
• A is preferably an optionally alkylated phenyl. The most preferred meaning for A is
• R' in each occurrence independently is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy.
• Y is a hydrocarbon group, such as aryl, aralkyi, alkaryl, alkenyl or, preferably, alkyl or a group of Formula
• the aryl, alkaryl or aralkyi group is optionally substituted at the aromatic ring with one or more inert substituents, for example halogen, such as chlorine, bromine or fluorine; or alkoxy or alkyl which generally contains from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
• Preferred aryl or alkaryl groups contain from 6 to 8 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, tolyl or xylyl.
• the aralkyi group preferably contains from 1 to 50, more preferably from 2 to 32, most preferably from 3 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• the alkenyl group preferably contains from 2 to 50, more preferably from 2 to 32, most preferably from 3 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• the alkyl group generally contains from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 32, more preferably from 3 to 18 and most preferably from 4 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• Preferred alkyl groups are tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl or octadecyl.
• Linear alkyl, alkenyl or alkylene groups are preferred.
• Y in Formula II is a group of formula -(CH-) m [E-(CH-) m ] p -(alkylene) q -H (VI),
• E in each occurrence independently is O, R 2 Si or R 2 Si-0, R in each occurrence independently is H, or C, 6 alkyl, preferably CH 3 or C 2 H 5 ,
• the alkylene group if present, generally contains from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 32, more preferably from 3 to 18 and most preferably from 5 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms,
• n in each occurrence independently is 0, 1 , 2, 3, or 4, preferably from 1 to 3, more preferably 1 or 2,
• p is from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 32, more preferably from 3 to 18 and
• q O or l .
• the polycarbonate contains an end-capping group of Formula II. This means that a polycarbonate can be capped at one or both ends of the polymer backbone with a group of Formula II. Furthermore, one or more side chains of a branched polycarbonate can be end-capped with a group of Formula II. It is to be understood that polycarbonates are within the scope of the present invention even if only some of the polymer chains are end- capped with a group of Formula II.
• the polycarbonate of the present invention is produced by reacting at least
• X is halogen, preferably chlorine or bromine, n' is 0 or 1 , preferably 0, and
• a and Y have the meanings indicated above.
• the compounds of Formula Ilia are preferred over the compounds of Formula lllb.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb and the dihydric phenol preferably is from 0.0001 :1 to 0.25:1 , more preferably from 0.001 :1 to 0.1 :1 , most preferably from 0.005:1 to 0.05:1 , particularly from 0.01 :1 to 0.02:1.
• the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb can be used in combination with a corresponding divalent compound of formula
• the molar ratio between the end-capping group(s) of Formula II and the divalent group(s) of Formula IX in the polycarbonate preferably is from 0.5 to 2:1 , more preferably from 0.7 to 1.6:1.
• Combinations of groups of Formula II and of groups of Formula IX are particularly effective for lowering the glass transition temperature of the polycarbonate.
• the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb can also be used in combination with a known branching agent described further below.
• the molar ratio between the branching agent, if used, and the dihydric phenol preferably is from 0.0001 :1 to 0.05:1 , more preferably from 0.001 :1 to 0.02:1.
• a combination of the branching agent and a compound of Formula Ilia or lllb generally from 1 to 99, preferably from 20 to 80 and most preferably from 45 to 55 percent of the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb and from 99 to 1 , preferably from 80 to 20 and most preferably from 55 to 45 percent of the branching agent can be used, based on the total weight of compound of Formula Ilia or lllb and the branching agent.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb and the carbonate precursor preferably is from 0.0001 :1 to 0.5:1 , more preferably from 0.001 :1 to 0.2:1 , most preferably from 0.01 :1 to 0.05:1.
• the molar ratio between the carbonate precursor and the dihydric phenol preferably is from 1 :1 to 2:1 , more preferably from 1 :1 to 1.4:1 , most preferably from 1 :1 to 1.2:1.
• the carbonate precursor is for example a carbonyl halide, a diarylcarbonate or a bishaloformate.
• the carbonyl halides include carbonyl bromide, carbonyl chloride, and mixtures thereof.
• the bishaloformates include the bishaloformates of dihydric phenols such as bischloroformates of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane,
• the dihydric phenols employed in the practice of the present invention are d _.i.h.y 7 dric phenols in which the sole reactive groups are the two phenolic hydroxyl groups.
• Useful dihydric phenols are for example those of the general Formula
• Z comprises a mononuclear or polynuclear aromatic group of 6 to 30 carbon atoms, to which the oxygen atoms are directly linked.
• the aromatic group may comprise one or more heteroatoms and may be substituted with one or more groups, for example one or more oxygens, nitrogens, sulfur, phosphorous and/or halogens, one or more monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, such as one or more alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups; one or more alkoxy and/or aryloxy groups
• Preferred meanings for Z are groups of Formula VII
• B is a single bond, a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 6 carbon atoms, most preferably -(CH C-, -S-, -S-S-, -S(O)-,
• X , X , X and X independently are hydrogen; halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine or fluorine; a monovalent hydrocarbon radical, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl; alkoxy or aryloxy.
• Preferred alkyl groups contain 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl or tert-butyl or the pentyl or hexyl groups.
• Preferred cycloalkyl groups contain 5 or 6 carbon atoms, such as cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl.
• Preferred aryl and aryloxy groups contain 6 to 8 carbon atoms, such as phenyl, benzyl, phenyloxy, tolyl or xylyl.
• Preferred alkoxy groups contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as the methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, i-propoxy, n-butoxy, sec-butoxy or tert-butoxy groups.
• both phenolic hydroxyl groups in the dihydric phenol HO-Z-OH are arranged in para-position to the radical B in the group of Formula I.
• the dihydric phenols employed in the process of the present invention include the bis(aryl-hydroxy-phenyl)alkylidenes including their aromatically and aliphatically substituted derivatives, such as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,999,835; 3,038,365; 3,334,154 and 4,299,928; and aromatic diols such as described in U.S. Patent No. 3,169,121.
• dihydric phenols of the general Formula HO-Z-OH are bis(hydroxyphenyl)fluorenes, such as 9,9-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl) fluorene; dihydroxy benzenes and the halo- and alkyl-substituted dihydroxy benzenes, such as hydroquinone, resorcinol, 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2-chlorobenzene, 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2-bromobenzene, 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2,3-dichlorobenzene, 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2-methylbenzene, 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethylbenzene and 1 ,4-dihydroxy-2-bromo-3-propylbenzene; alpha, alpha'-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-diisopropylbenzenes; dihydroxybiphenylenes, such as 4,4'-dihydroxydip
• the production of a compound of Formula Ilia or lllb can be carried out before or during the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb is reacted with a carbonate precursor and a dihydric phenol to produce the polycarbonate of the present invention.
• the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb can be isolated and optionally purified before it is reacted with a carbonate precursor and a dihydric phenol.
• the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb is preferably produced in situ during the process of the present invention for producing a polycarbonate.
• the compounds of Formula Ilia can be produced by reacting a compound of Formula IVa
• X' is halogen, -C(0)-halogen, -C(0)OH or epoxy.
• Preferred compounds of Formula IVa are optionally alkylated or alkoxylated trisphenols.
• Preferred trisphenols are compounds of Formulas IVa' and IVa"
• R' in each occurrence independently is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy which generally contains from 1 to 6, preferably from 1 to 3, more preferably 1 carbon atom(s). Most preferably, R' in each occurrence is hydrogen. R" in each occurrence independently is hydrogen, alkyl or alkoxy which generally contains from 1 to 12, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably from 1 to 3, and most preferably 1 carbon atom(s).
• the phenolic hydroxyl groups are preferably arranged in the para-position.
• Other preferred trisphenols of Formula IVa are the trihydroxybenzenes, such as 1 ,2,4-trihydroxybenzene and particularly 1 ,3,5-trihydroxybenzene.
• Preferred compounds of Formula Va that means a compounds of Formula X'-Y are those wherein
• Y is alkyl or a group of Formula -(CH-) m [E-(CH-) ] -(alkylene) -H,
• R is H or CH 3 , E is O, R 2 Si or R 2 Si-0, m is 0, 1 or 2, p is from 1 to 50, q is 0 or 1 and
• X' is halogen, -C(0)-halogen, -C(0)OH or epoxy.
• Mixtures of compounds of Formula Va can also be reacted with a compound of Formula IVa.
• the most preferred compounds of Formula X'-Y are those wherein X 1 is halogen or -C(0)-halogen, whereby halogen preferably means bromine or more preferably chlorine.
• Y means a linear alkyl group which contains from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 32, more preferably from 3 to 18 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• Most preferably a mixture of compounds of Formula X'-Y is used wherein Y means alkyl groups containing 6, 8 and 10 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y is preferably from 0.1 to 10:1 , more preferably from 0.5 to 5:1 more from preferably 1 :1 to 2.5 :1 , most preferably greater than 1.25:1 to 2.5:1.
• the reaction can be carried out in a single-phase or a two-phase system.
• an inert organic diluent When the reaction is carried out in a single-phase system, usually an inert organic diluent is chosen wherein the compounds of Formula IVa and of Formula X'-Y are soluble.
• Useful solvents depend on the specific starting materials used for the reaction and are known to the skilled artisan. Exemplary of useful solvents are halogenated solvents, for example, chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as o-, m-, or p-chlorobenzene or methylene chloride, or hydrocarbons, such as pentane, cyclopentane or mixtures thereof, hexane, acyclic or cyclic ethers, such as dioxane or tetrahydrofurane or ketones, such as acetone.
• chlorinated hydrocarbons such as o-, m-, or p-chlorobenzene or methylene chloride
• hydrocarbons such as pentane, cyclopentane or
• the reaction mixture is substantially free of water, in order to avoid hydrolysis of the compound of Formula X'-Y as a side reaction.
• Dimethyl formamide, methanol or ethanol are useful if X' in the Formula X'-Y is halogen.
• the compound of Formula X'-Y can be dissolved in an organic solvent, such as methylene chloride or monochlorobenzene.
• the compound of Formula IVa can be dissolved in diluent which is not fully miscible with the above-mentioned organic solvent.
• diluents are an aqueous basic liquid, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide or dilute aqueous ammonia.
• the compound of Formula IVa can be treated with solid Na 2 CO 3 or K 2 CO 3 in an acetone dispersion.
• the reaction is carried out at an elevated temperature, preferably at a temperature of from 25°C to 120°C, more preferably from 40°C to 100°C.
• the pressure preferably is from 0.1 to 5 bar, more preferably from 0.5 to 2 bar, most preferably about 1 bar.
• the reaction is carried out in the presence of a basic compound, such as an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or carbonate, preferably sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate, or an organic amine, such as trimethyl amine or triethyl amine.
• the molar ratio between the base and the compound of Formula X'-Y is preferably from 0.8 to 3:1 , more preferably about 1 :1 .
• the reaction is generally completed within 2 to 15 hours, in many cases within 2 and 4 hours.
• an inorganic salt may be produced as a by-product which usually precipitates from the reaction mixture. It is preferably removed from the reaction mixture in a known manner, such as filtration.
• the produced reaction mixture can be reacted with a carbonate precursor and a dihydric phenol as described further below. Prior to this reaction it is optionally subjected to one or more purification steps, such as the above-mentioned filtration, phase separation in the case of a two-phase reaction mixture or separation of non-reacted starting materials.
• the separation of non-reacted starting materials can, for example, be carried out by adding a solvent in which the compound of Formula IVa is not soluble and recycling the precipitated compound of Formula IVa.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y generally is from 0.7 to 1.5:1 , preferably from greater than 0.8 to 1.2:1 , major amounts of a mono-substituted compound of the Formula (HO) 2 A - O-[C(O)] i-Y are prepared in addition to the disubstituted compound of
• Such mono-substituted compounds are particularly suitable for being incorporated into the polycarbonate backbone.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y generally is from 0.2 to 1 :1 , preferably from 0.4 to less than 0.8:1 , predominantly a disubstituted compound of Formula Ilia is prepared.
• Such compounds are particularly suitable for end-capping the polycarbonate.
• the molar ratio between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y is further decreased, for example, from 0.01 to 0.33:1 , preferably from 0.05 to 0.1 :1 , increasing amounts of a tri-substituted compound of Formula VIII shown above (wherein n" is 0) are produced which can be mixed with a polycarbonate to decrease its glass transition temperature.
• the reaction product between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y usually contains mono-, di- and tri-substituted compounds. Additionally, the reaction product generally contains unreacted compound of Formula IVa. These compounds can be separated from each other by known techniques, for example, by filtration, distillation or crystallization. However, it is generally not necessary to subject the reaction product to a separation step before it is reacted with a polycarbonate precursor and a dihydric phenol. Depending on the molar ratio between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y, the amount of unreacted compound of Formula IVa generally is from 0.1 to 50 mole percent, typically from 2 to 45 mole percent, based on the total amount of the reaction product.
• the non-reacted compound of Formula IVa can be used together with the compound of Formula Ilia in the reaction with a carbonate precursor and a dihydric phenol.
• the compounds of Formula lllb can be produced by reacting a compound of Formula IVb C(O)
• X with a compound of Formula HO-Y, wherein X is halogen, preferably chlorine, and
• a and Y have the meanings indicated above.
• Preferred compounds of Formula IVb are those wherein A is a benzene ring which is optionally substituted with one or two alkyl or alkoxy groups, more preferably an unsubstituted benzene ring.
• Preferred compounds of Formula HO-Y are those wherein Y is alkyl or a group of Formula -(CH-) m [E-(CH-) m J -(alkylene) -H,
• R is H or CH 3 , E is O, m is 0, 1 or 2, q is 0 or 1 and p is from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 32, more preferably from 3 to 18. Most preferably a mixture of compounds of Formula HO-Y is used wherein Y means alkyl groups containing 6, 8 and 10 aliphatic carbon atoms.
• HO-Y is preferably from 0.1 to 10:1 , more preferably from 0.5 to 5:1 more from preferably 1 :1 to 2.5:1 , most preferably greater than 1.25:1 to 2.5:1.
• the reaction can be carried out in a single-phase or a two-phase system.
• Exemplary of useful solvents are the same as those listed above for the reaction between the compounds of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y.
• the reaction conditions such as temperature, pressure, molar ratios, presence of a basic compound, purification step(s) and product distributions are substantially the same as those described above for the reaction between the compound of Formula IVa and the compound of Formula X'-Y.
• a compound of Formula Ilia or a compound of Formula VIII can be produced by reacting cyanuric chloride with a compound of Formula HO-Y.
• the compounds of Formulas Ilia and lllb are useful in a process for producing a polycarbonate which comprises reacting at least
• the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb can be used in combination with a branching agent.
• Suitable branching agents are, for example, described in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,544,514 and 4,680,370 and the published European Patent Application EP-A-0 423 562, page 3, line 43 to page 4, line 2.
• Useful branching agents have three or more functional groups, preferably three or more phenolic hydroxyl groups.
• Preferred branching agents are 1 ,3,5-tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzene,
• tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane tris(4-hydroxyphenyl)-phenylmethane or 2-(4-hydroxy- phenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane.
• Other preferred branching agents are tri(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphines, tri-(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphine oxides, tri-(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphites, tri-(p-hydroxyphenyl)phosphates, as described in U.S. Patent No.
• a monohydric phenol can be used for the preparation of the polycarbonate of the present invention.
• the molar ratio between the dihydric phenol and the monohydric phenol preferably is on the average at least 1 :1 , more preferably at least 5:1 , most preferably at least 10:1.
• the molar ratio between the dihydric phenol and the monohydric phenol preferably is on the average up to 1000:1 , more preferably up to 100:1 , most preferably up to 50:1.
• a particularly preferred amount of the monohydric phenol is from 0.01 to 5 percent, based on the weight of the dihydric phenol.
• the monohydric phenol may be used as a chain stopper or for controlling the molecular weight of the product.
• Suitable monohydric phenols are for example phenol, lower alkyl phenols, such as 4-methylphenol, 3-ethylphenol, 5-propylphenol, 4-isopropylphenol, 5-butylphenol, 3-isobutylphenol, 4-tertiary butylphenol, octyl phenol or 4-pentylphenol; aryl phenols, such as 4-phenyl phenol or 5-phenyl phenol; cycloaliphatic phenols, such as 4-cyclohexyl phenol or 3-cyclohexylphenol; or monophenol alkanes, such as 2,2-(4-hydroxyphenyl-4-methoxyphenyl) propane or 3-hydroxyphenyl ethane.
• the most preferred monohydric phenol is tertiary butylphenol, most preferably 4-tertiary butylphenol.
• Other preferred chain stoppers and their useful amounts are disclosed in European patent application EP-A-0 423 562, page 4, lines 5 to 21.
• a dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid halide or a diol can be reacted with the above-described carbonate precursor, dihydric phenol and compound of Formula Ilia or lllb.
• aromatic dicarboxylic acids or dicarboxylic acid dihalides are, for example, terephthaloyl dichloride or isophthaloyl dichloride. If an aromatic dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylic acid dihalide is used for the preparation of a copolyester carbonate, it is preferably used in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 mole percent, more preferably from 1 to 30 mole percent, based on the molar amount of the dihydric phenol.
• Useful aliphatic dicarboxylic acids or dicarboxylic acid dihalide preferably contain from 4 to 12 carbon atoms, such as adipic acid, decanoic acid, undecanoic acid or dodecanoic acid.
• Useful diols are preferably dihydric phenols, such as resorcinol. If a diol or an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid (dihalide) is used for the preparation of a copolyether carbonate, it is preferably used in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 mole percent, more preferably from 2 to 10 mole percent, based on the molar amount of the dihydric phenol.
• the polymerization process can be carried out by standard techniques well known in the art. Depending on the type of reaction diluent, the reaction can be conducted a) as a two-phase process or b) in a homogeneous solution.
• the reaction diluent comprises an aqueous and an organic phase.
• the volume ratio between the aqueous phase and the organic phase preferably is from 1 :2 to 2:1 , more preferably from 1 :1.5 to 1.5:1 , most preferably 1 :1.
• the interphase preferably is from 0.1 m7l to 50 m 2 /l.
• the reaction diluents are preferably water and one or more water-immiscible solvents, preferably one or more chlorinated solvents.
• Preferred chlorinated solvents are chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, ethylene chloride or, most preferably, methylene chloride.
• the most useful bases are alkali hydroxides or alkaline earth hydroxides, such as NaOH, KOH, CsOH, Ca(OH) 2 , Mg(OH) 2 or the corresponding oxides which form hydroxides in contact with water, such as CaO.
• the two-phase process is particularly suitable if phosgene is used in the reaction.
• a catalyst may be advantageous, particularly if phosgene is used in the reaction.
• Such catalysts are, for example, tertiary or quaternary organic bases, such as trimethyl amine, triethyl amine, dimethyl aniline, diethyl aniline, dimethylcyclohexylamine or pyridine; or the corresponding hydrohalides, such as triethyloctadecyl ammonium chloride, trimethylbenzylammonium fluoride, triethylbenzylammonium chloride, dimethyldodecyl ammonium chloride, dimethylbenzyl phenyl ammonium chloride, trimethylcyclohexyl ammonium bromide or N-methylpyridonium chloride; or tetramethylammonium hydroxide.
• tertiary or quaternary organic bases such as trimethyl amine, triethyl amine, dimethyl aniline, diethyl aniline, dimethylcyclohexyl
• organic solvents For conducting the reaction in a homogeneous solution, generally one or more organic solvents are used which are inert towards the reactants and which are preferably polar.
• Preferred organic solvents are chlorinated solvents, such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, ethylene chloride or, most preferably, methylene chloride; ethers, such as dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane or, most preferably, dioxane; formamides, such as dimethylformamide or dimethylacetamide; esters, such as acetic ester; or ketones, such as acetone. Most preferably, chlorinated solvents and/or ethers are used.
• Preferred bases are amines, more preferably tertiary aliphatic amines, such as trimethyl amine or triethyl amine, or aromatic amines, such as pyridine.
• the reaction temperature preferably is from 20°C to 100°C, more preferably from 20°C to 70°C, most preferably from 25°C to 50°C, depending on the reaction diluent.
• the reaction is preferably conducted at about ambient pressure.
• a compound of Formula Ilia or lllb is dissolved in an aqueous reaction diluent, such as aqueous sodium hydroxide, or more preferably in an organic reaction diluent, such as methylene chloride.
• an aqueous reaction diluent such as aqueous sodium hydroxide
• an organic reaction diluent such as methylene chloride.
• the order of contacting the compound of Formula Ilia or lllb, the dihydric phenol and the carbonate precursor is not very critical. However, the compounds of Formula Ilia or lllb is preferably added to the dihydric phenol before the dihydric phenol is contacted with the carbonate precursor.
• the compounds of Formula Ilia preferably those wherein n 1 is 0, can also be used in a melt transesterification process for producing polycarbonates of a decreased Tg. Melt transesterification processes are generally described by
• the produced polycarbonates preferably have a number average molecular weight of from 10,000 to 250,000, more preferably from 12,000 to 120,000 and most preferably from 15,000 to 60,000.
• the polymer or polymer composition of the present invention can be blended with optional additives, such as an inorganic and/or organic light diffuser, a UV stabilizer, such as a benzotriazole or a benzophenone, a heat stabilizer, such as a phosphine, phosphite or diphosphonite, optionally in combination with a hindered phenol, a dye or an optical brightener.
• optional additives such as an inorganic and/or organic light diffuser, a UV stabilizer, such as a benzotriazole or a benzophenone, a heat stabilizer, such as a phosphine, phosphite or diphosphonite, optionally in combination with a hindered phenol, a dye or an optical brightener.
• additives are known in the art.
• the polycarbonate or polycarbonate composition of the present invention is useful for producing a molded article, preferably articles of thin walls.
• thin walls generally walls of from 0.2 to 3 mm, preferably from 0.3 to 2 mm, more preferably from 0.5 to 1.5 mm are meant. It is particularly suitable for blow-molding applications.
• Processes for molding polycarbonates are known in the art. Preferred extrusion and injection molding temperatures are from 200°C to 360°C, more preferably from 220°C to 340°C, most preferably from 240°C to 300°C.
• the glass transition temperature of a polycarbonate containing one or more groups of Formula II is significantly reduced, even if only from 0.1 to 10 percent, typically from 0.5 to 5 percent of a compound of Formula Ilia or lllb is incorporated into the polycarbonate, based on the molar amount of a dihydric phenol that is incorporated into the polycarbonate. It has been found that the glass transition temperature of such a polycarbonate is generally at least 5°C lower, usually at least 10°C lower, in many cases at least 20°C lower and in some cases even at least 30°C lower than the glass transition temperature of a corresponding polycarbonate of essentially the same composition and molecular weight except that it does not contain groups of Formula II.
• the glass transition temperature of a polycarbonate can be further reduced by blending the polycarbonate of the present invention with a compound of Formula VIII
• the resulting polycarbonate composition preferably contains from 0.1 to 10 percent, more preferably from 0.5 to 5 percent, most preferably from 1 to 2 percent of one or more compounds of Formula VIII, based on the weight of the polycarbonate.
• the compound of Formula VIII acts as a plasticizer in the polycarbonate.
• the glass transition temperature Tg is determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry.
• the glass transition temperature Tg was 138°C.
• a polycarbonate was prepared from bisphenol A and phosgene in the same manner, except that no reaction product of trimellitic trichloride and dodecanol was used as a comonomer.
• the Tg was about 148°C.
• TMTC and dodecanol significantly reduced the T g even if the molar ratio of the comonomer to bisphenol A was only 0.02:1.
• the glass transition temperature is 132°C.
• THPE tris(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethane
• Example 4 Comparison of Comparative Example B with Example 3 showed that a soluble, transparent polycarbonate having a reduced glass transition temperature was only obtained if the trisphenol had been reacted with a compound of Formula X"-Y, such as octyl bromide.
• a compound of Formula X"-Y such as octyl bromide.
• 0.162 g (1 mmole) of phloroglucindihydrate was dissolved in a mixture of 1 mL of NaOH and 5 mL of water at 50 °C. 10 mL of methylene chloride were additionally brought into the reactor. A solution of 0.162 g (1 mmole) of octane mono-acid chloride dissolved in 5 mL of methylene chloride was slowly dropped into this solution and reacted under reflux. The reaction mixture was kept at 60°C for another 3 hours.
• the reaction mixture was brought into a solution of 4.56 g of bisphenol A dissolved in 23 mL of 1.5 n NaOH.
• the polycondensation was carried out as described in Example 1.
• Phosgenation 4.468 g of bisphenol A were brought into a 100 mL reactor and dissolved in 23 mL of 1 n NaOH. 20 mL of methylene chloride were added. 6 ml of a triphosgene solution (4 g of triphosgene in 40 mL of dichloro methane) were slowly added (0.05 mL 10 seconds). The pH dropped to 12.3. 2.5 ml of the solution of the reaction product, as prepared in paragraph I above in dioxane were added at once. The pH dropped to 11.7. Phosgenation was further continued by slowly adding 6 mL of the triphosgene solution.
• the solution was brought into a phase separator.
• the aqueous phase was separated.
• the organic phase was washed with 50 mL of 2 n HCI and subsequently 3 times with 75 mL of distilled water.
• the organic phase was dried over Na 2 S0 4 free of water, filtrated and the solution was evaporated.
• the polymer film obtained was dried in vacuum at 90°C.
• the polymer film was broken up in smaller pieces and pressed into a tablet of 1 cm diameter and 0.5 cm thickness.
• the rheology curve was measured by using a Physica OS 300, whereby the tablet was brought between a cover and a plate.
• the temperature was 280°C.
• the melt viscosity (Pa.s) was plotted versus the shear rate
• the material was characterized by having a high flow and low zero shear viscosity.
• the T g was 112 c 'C.
• melt viscosity of a polycarbonate is listed which was branched with 0.35 mole percent of THPE, but which did not contain groups of Formula II according to the present invention.
• the rheology curve was measured as described in Example 5.
• the polycondensation was carried out as described in Example 5, however, the reaction product I was added from the beginning to the monomer solution and a molar ratio of bisphenol to chain terminator of 44:1 was used. 4.68 g of bisphenol A dissolved in 23 mL of 1.5 n NaOH, 20 mL of dichloromethane and 5.0 mL of the reaction solution I above were used. Phosgenation was carried out as described in Example 5. After the addition of half of the total amount of the triphosgene solution in dichloromethane (12 mL), 4 mL of a solution of 0.425 g of p-tert-butylphenol in 25 mL of methylene chloride were added. Further phosgenation, coupling, purification and isolation of the polymer was carried out as described in Example 5.
• the rheology curve was measured as described in Example 5.
• Trifunctional monomer 2 Alkylating agent 3> Bisphenol A/p-tert-b ⁇ tylphenol
• the polycarbonate was produced as described in Example 1 , except that the molar ratio of bisphenol A to p-tert-butylphenol is 24.6.
• the polycarbonate was produced as described in Example 6, except that the molar ratio of bisphenol A to p-tert-butylphenol is 44.
• THPE was reacted with octanoil chloride as described in Example 5 except that the molar ratio of THPE to octanoil chloride was 1 :1.5.
• the product distribution of the reaction products between THPE and octanoil chloride in Examples 5, 6 and 10 were determined by 'H-NMR and ,3 C-NMR and are listed in the following table:
• THPE 1 ,1 ,1 -tris-(4- hydroxyphenyl)ethane
• dioxane 306 g
• Triethylamine (14.5 g, 143.6 mmole) was added in one portion, followed by addition of octanoyi chloride (20.96 g, 128.8 mmole) via a syringe pump over 10 minutes. After addition was complete, the mixture was stirred for 5 minutes, then it was poured into a separatory funnel.
• the mixture was washed with 1 N HCI (1 X 100 mL). Then 20 mL methylene chloride was added to clarify layers. The aqueous phase was separated and discarded. The organic phase was washed with water (1 x 100 mL); then 20 mL methylene ch ⁇ oride was added to clarify layers. The aqueous phase was separated and discarded. The organic phase was dried over MgS0 4 , filtered and then evaporated to give a viscous yellow liquid.
• THPE (ester) mixture was analyzed by liquid chromatography and revealed a mole ratio of 4.0/28.3/35.5/32.2 THPE/mono-octyl ester/di- octyl ester/ tri-octyl ester.
• the chromatography was calibrated with pure THPE esters obtained by thin layer chromatography of a small portion of the reaction mixture.
• Example 11 was repeated, however a THPE (ester) mixture containing THPE/mono-octyl ester/di-octyl ester/ tri-octyl ester at a mole ratio of 10.2/55/26.5/8.3 was used for the production of the polycarbonate instead of the product mixture obtained according to Example 11.1 above.
• the produced polymer had an Mw of 48,560 and an Mn of 19,910.
• the Tg was 144°C.
• THPE was reacted with octanoyi chloride at a molar ratio of 1 :2 as described in Example 11.1 above.
• Example 13 was repeated, however the molar ratio of p-tert-butylphenol (PTBPVbisphenol A (Bis-A) and/or the molar ratio of THPE (ester) mixture/Bis-A was varied.
• PTBPVbisphenol A Bisphenol A
• THPE ester

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