Tricarboxylic acids, method, and branched polycarbonates prepared therefrom

US6458899B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• David Paul Mobley · Schenectady, US
• Mohan Amaratunga · Niskayuna, US
• John Henry Lobos · Ballston Spa, US
• Sukhendu Bikash Hait · Jamkhed, IN
• Andrew J. Caruso · Durham, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 20, 2001
• Grant date: Oct 1, 2002
• Expiry date: Mar 20, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G64/1616
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Aliphatic tricarboxylic acids, as exemplified by 9-carboxy-1,18-octadecanedioic acid, may be prepared by the biotransformation of an olefinic monocarboxylic acid such as oleic acid to the corresponding olefinic dicarboxylic acid, preferably 1,18-octadec-9-enedioic acid, in the presence of a strain of yeast, such as a strain of Candida tropicalis, followed by the carboxylation of the olefinic dicarboxylic acid by reaction with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a catalyst. The product tricarboxylic acids are useful as branching agents for polycarbonates.