Process for the anionic polymerization of lactams

US6579965B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Atofina · FR

Inventors

• Nicola Hoogen · Munich, DE
• Andreas Wollny · Glückstadt, DE
• Heike Faulhammer · Orbec, FR
• Rolf Muelhaupt · Glückstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 24, 2001
• Grant date: Jun 17, 2003
• Expiry date: Sep 24, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08G69/18
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

For the anionic polymerization of lactams: (a) (i) a catalyst capable of creating a lactamate and (ii) a regulator chosen from amides of formula R1-NH—CO-R2, in which R1 can be substituted by an R3-CO—NH— or R3-0— radical and in which R1, R2 and R3 denote an aryl, alkyl or cycloalkyl radical, are dissolved in the molten lactam, (a1) the solution from stage (a) is cooled, optionally to the solid state in a form which can be divided, (a2) the product from stage (a1) is optionally reheated to a temperature below the polymerization temperature of the lactam, (a3) optionally, the product from stage (a1) is reheated and is maintained at a temperature between the melting temperature of the lactam and 15° C. above, and (b) the produce from any one of stages (a1), (a2) or (a3) is introduced into a mixing device or mold and is then heated to a temperature sufficient to obtain the bulk polymerization of the lactam.