Patent ID: 6281311
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: C08F

Abstract:
A free radical polymerization process for the preparation of a thermoplastic resin or resins comprising the step of:heating from about 80.degree. to about 160.degree. C. a mixture of a free radical initiator, at least one free radically polymerizable monomer compound, and a stable free radical agent comprising a nitroxyl radical having the following formula: ##STR17##wherein X is CH.sub.2 or C.dbd.O, Y is O or N--R, R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of aryl, alkyl having from 1 to about 24 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl having from 5 to about 7 carbon atoms, aralkyl having from 7 to about 20 carbon atoms, cyanoalkyl having from 2 to about 12 carbon atoms, ether having from 4 to about 18 carbon atoms, and hydroxyalkyl having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms; andR.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together, or R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 together, or each pair, may be cyclized forming a ring having from about 5 to about 14 carbon atoms to form said thermoplastic resin or resins with a polydispersity of about 1.0 to about 3.0.