Patent ID: 6541599
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
A polymerization process for producing soluble hyperbranched polyamides comprising(a) combining in a reactor water and (a1) multi-functional di- or higher amine functional group containing monomers represented by the following formula (I) and multi-functional di- or higher carboxylic acid functional group containing monomers represented by the following formula (II), or a preformed salt of such di- or higher functional monomers, or (a2) multi-functional branching monomers of the formula (III): R1(NH2)xâ€ƒâ€ƒ(I) R2(COOH)yâ€ƒâ€ƒ(II) Anâ€”Lâ€”Bmâ€ƒâ€ƒ(III) where in formulas (I) and (II), R1 and R2 are each independently a monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric compound nucleus, x and y are integers of at least 2, without x and y being 2 at the same time, and in formula (III), one of A and B represents an amine functional group, the other of A and B represents a carboxylic acid functional group, L represents a monomeric, oligomeric, or polymeric compound nucleus linking group between A and B, n is at least 1 and m at least 2, and wherein multiple carboxylic acid functional groups of a multi-functional monomer may be in anhydride form, and(b) reacting amine and carboxylic acid functional groups of the multi-functional monomers at a temperature of at least 100Â° C. and a pressure of at least 140 kPa, wherein polymerization proceeds by reaction of an amine group of a first monomer unit with an acid group of a second monomer unit to form a reaction product having an amide linkage between the first and second monomer units and repetition of such amidation reaction between additional amine groups and acid groups of the multi-functional monomers and reaction products of the multi-functional monomers for a period of time sufficient to form a highly branched polyamide.