Process for producing polymers by free radical polymerization and condensation reaction, and products related thereto

• Main Authors: Campbell, John D, Debling, Jon A, DeYoung, Douglas J, Giannakitsas, Ioannis, Hellwig, Dean R, Schatz, David D, Teymour, Fouad, Villalobos, Marco A
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 10.02.2004

The present invention generally relates to a continuous polymerization and condensation process for converting a radically-polymerizable monomer with a condensation reactive functionality and a modifying agent with a functional group capable of reacting with the condensation reactive functionality into a polymeric product. The invention also relates to polymeric products produced by the process and to various products that contain the polymeric product. The present invention provides a high temperature continuous polymerization and condensation process for preparing a polymeric product. The process includes continuously charging into a reaction zone: at least one radically-polymerizable monomer having a radically polymerizable group and at least one condensation reactive functionality; and at least one modifying agent having a functional group capable of reacting with the condensation reactive functionality. The reaction zone includes at least one primary reactor, but may, and preferably does, contain a secondary reactor. The process further includes maintaining an effective temperature in the primary reactor to cause polymerization of the monomer and to allow at least a portion of the condensation reactive functionality to react with the functional group of the modifying agent.