Weatherable block copolyestercarbonates, blends containing them, and method

Abstract

Block copolyestercarbonates may be prepared by first conducting a reaction between at least one of resorcinol or an alkyl- or haloresorcinol and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride, preferably isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof, to produce a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate, and then conducting a reaction of the intermediate with a carbonate precursor, preferably in the presence of a dihydroxy compound such as bisphenol A. The products have excellent physical properties, including a high degree of weatherability. They may be blended with other polymers such as polycarbonates, poly(alkylene carboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers to improve the weatherability thereof.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A block copolyestercarbonate comprising organic carbonate blocks alternating with arylate blocks, said arylate blocks comprising arylate structural units derived from at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety and at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid and having a degree of polymerization of at least about 4.  
     
     
         2 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 1  wherein the carbonate blocks are selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A carbonate blocks, unsubstituted resorcinol carbonate blocks, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 1  wherein the degree of polymerization of the carbonate blocks is at least about 3.  
     
     
         4 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 1  wherein the arylate structural units comprise at least one of unsubstituted resorcinol or a substituted resorcinol, in combination with isophthalate or terephthalate or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 4  wherein the arylate structural units are a mixture of isophthalate and terephthalate.  
     
     
         6 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 5  wherein the molar ratio of isophthalate to terephthalate in the arylate structural units is in the range of about 0.25-4.0:1.  
     
     
         7 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 5  wherein the degree of polymerization of the arylate blocks is at least about 10.  
     
     
         8 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 5  which comprises about 10-99% by weight arylate blocks.  
     
     
         9 . A block copolyestercarbonate comprising organic carbonate blocks alternating with arylate blocks, said carbonate blocks having a degree of polymerization of at least about 3 and comprising structural units derived from bisphenol A, and said arylate blocks having a degree of polymerization of at least about 4 and comprising structural units derived from unsubstituted resorcinol and a mixture of isophthalate and terephthalate residues in a ratio of about 0.25-4.0:1 isophthalate to terephthalate.  
     
     
         10 . A block copolyestercarbonate comprising moieties of the formula  
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein each R 1  is independently halogen or C 1-4  alkyl, each R 2  is independently a divalent organic radical, p is 0-3, m is at least about 3 and n is at least about 4.  
     
     
         11 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 10  wherein p is zero; R 2  is 2,2-bis(4-phenylene)propane, or m-phenylene, or a mixture thereof; n is at least about 10 and m is at least about 20, said copolyestercarbonate comprising isophthalate and terephthalate ester structural units in a molar ratio in the range of about 0.25-4.0:1 isophthalate to terephthalate.  
     
     
         12 . The block copolymer obtained by Fries rearrangement of a block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 1 .  
     
     
         13 . The block copolymer according to  claim 12  wherein the carbonate blocks are selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A carbonate blocks, unsubstituted resorcinol carbonate blocks, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         14 . The block copolymer according to  claim 12  wherein the degree of polymerization of the carbonate blocks is at least about 10.  
     
     
         15 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 12  wherein the arylate blocks comprise isophthalate residues or terephthalate residues or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 15  wherein the arylate blocks consist of a mixture of isophthalate and terephthalate residues.  
     
     
         17 . The block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 16  wherein the molar ratio of isophthalate to terephthalate in the arylate blocks is in the range of about 0.25-4.0:1.  
     
     
         18 . A composition comprising a resinous blend of a block copolyestercarbonate according to  claim 1  with at least one other polymer selected from the group consisting of polycarbonates, poly(alkylene dicarboxylates), polyarylates, polyetherimides, and addition polymers, and any reaction products thereof.  
     
     
         19 . The composition according to  claim 18  wherein the other polymer is a polycarbonate.  
     
     
         20 . The composition according to  claim 19  wherein the polycarbonate contains structural units comprising those of the polycarbonate blocks in the copolyestercarbonate.  
     
     
         21 . The composition according to  claim 19  wherein the other polymer is a bisphenol A polycarbonate.  
     
     
         22 . The composition according to  claim 18  wherein the other polymer is a poly(alkylene dicarboxylate).  
     
     
         23 . The composition according to  claim 22  wherein the other polymer is at least one member selected from the group consisting of poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(1,4-butylene naphthalate), poly(ethylene naphthalate), poly(trimethylene terephthalate), poly(cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate), poly(cyclohexanedimethanol-co-ethylene terephthalate), and poly(1,4-cyclohexanedimethyl-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate).  
     
     
         24 . The composition according to  claim 23  wherein the other polymer is poly(ethylene terephthalate).  
     
     
         25 . The composition according to  claim 18  wherein the other polymer is a polyarylate.  
     
     
         26 . The composition according to  claim 25  wherein the polyarylate contains structural units comprising those of the polyarylate blocks in the copolyestercarbonate.  
     
     
         27 . The composition according to  claim 25  wherein the polyarylate contains structural units comprising those of the polycarbonate blocks in the copolyestercarbonate.  
     
     
         28 . A composition comprising a resinous blend of a bisphenol A polycarbonate and a block copolyestercarbonate comprising organic carbonate blocks alternating with arylate blocks, said carbonate blocks having a degree of polymerization of at least about 3 and comprising structural units derived from bisphenol A, and said arylate blocks having a degree of polymerization of at least about 4 and comprising structural units derived from unsubstituted resorcinol and a mixture of isophthalate and terephthalate residues in a ratio of about 0.25-4.0:1 isophthalate to terephthalate.  
     
     
         29 . An article made from the composition of  claim 18 .  
     
     
         30 . The article according to  claim 29  which is an automotive, truck, military vehicle, agricultural vehicle, or motorcycle exterior or interior component, panel, quarter panel, rocker panel, trim, fender, door, decklid, trunklid, hood, bonnet, roof, bumper, fascia, grill, mirror housing, pillar applique, cladding, body side molding, wheel cover, hubcap, door handle, spoiler, window frame, headlamp bezel, headlamp, tail lamp, tail lamp housing, tail lamp bezel, license plate enclosure, roof rack, or running board; an enclosure, housing, panel, part, or trim for an outdoor vehicle or device, an electrical or telecommunication device, network interface device, outdoor furniture, aircraft, boat or marine equipment, outboard motor, depth finder, personal water-craft, jet-ski, pool, spa, hot-tub, step, or step covering, an automatic teller machine (ATM), a lawn or garden tractor, lawn mower, tool, sporting equipment or toy, snowmobile, recreational vehicle, golf course marker, or playground equipment; an enclosure, housing, panel, part, or trim for a computer, desk-top computer, portable computer, lap-top computer, palm-held computer, monitor, printer, keyboard, FAX machine, copier, telephone, mobile phone, radio sender, radio receiver, meter, antenna, light fixture, lighting appliance, transformer, air conditioner; an article used in building or construction, glazing, roofing, window, window trim, floor, wall panel, door, door trim, decorative window furnishing or treatment; a treated glass cover for a picture, painting, poster, or display item; a protected graphic; an outdoor or indoor sign; an article made from a plastic-wood combination; a utility pit cover; cladding or seating for public transportation; cladding or seating for trains, subways, or buses; cladding for satellite dishes; coated helmet or personal protective equipment; coated synthetic or natural textiles; coated photographic film or photographic print; coated painted article; coated dyed article; coated fluorescent article; or coated foam article.  
     
     
         31 . A method for preparing a block copolyestercarbonate which comprises the steps of: 
 (A) preparing a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate having a degree of polymerization of at least 4 by the reaction of at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety with at least one aromatic dicarboxylic acid dichloride under alkaline conditions; and    (B) conducting a reaction of said polyester intermediate with a carbonate precursor.    
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the copolyestercarbonate is recovered from the reaction mixture.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the molar ratio of the at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety to dicarboxylic acid dichlorides in step A is in the range of about 1.01-1.90:1.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the molar ratio of the at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety to dicarboxylic acid dichlorides in step A is in the range of about 1.01-1.25:1.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety in step A is at least one of unsubstituted resorcinol or a substituted resorcinol, and the dicarboxylic acid dichloride is isophthaloyl dichloride, terephthaloyl dichloride or a mixture thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35  wherein the 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety is unsubstituted resorcinol, and the dicarboxylic acid dichloride is a mixture of isophthaloyl dichloride and terephthaloyl dichloride.  
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 36  wherein the molar ratio of isophthaloyl dichloride to terephthaloyl dichloride is in the range of about 0.25-4.0:1.  
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the reaction in step B is conducted in the presence of at least one organic dihydroxy compound different from the hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate.  
     
     
         39 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein the at least one organic dihydroxy compound is the same as at least one 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety in step A.  
     
     
         40 . The method according to  claim 39  wherein the at least one organic dihydroxy compound is unsubstituted resorcinol.  
     
     
         41 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein the at least one organic dihydroxy compound is different from any 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety in step A.  
     
     
         42 . The method according to  claim 41  wherein the at least one organic dihydroxy compound is bisphenol A.  
     
     
         43 . The method according to  claim 41  wherein at least one polycarbonate homopolymer is prepared in the presence of or simultaneously with the copolyestercarbonate.  
     
     
         44 . The method according to  claim 43  wherein the at least one organic dihydroxy compound is bisphenol A.  
     
     
         45 . The method according to  claim 38  wherein the reaction in step B is conducted in the presence of a mixture of organic dihydroxy compounds, at least one of which is the same as and at least one of which is different from any 1,3-dihydroxybenzene moiety in step A.  
     
     
         46 . The method according to  claim 45  wherein the mixture of organic dihydroxy compounds consists of unsubstituted resorcinol and bisphenol A.  
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the carbonate precursor is phosgene.  
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein steps A and B are both conducted in a two-phase system including an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic solvent.  
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 31  wherein the pH in step B is maintained in the range of about 4-9 for the initial part and increased to about 10-13 during the latter part of said reaction.  
     
     
         50 . A method for preparing a block copolyestercarbonate which comprises the steps of: 
 (A) preparing a hydroxy-terminated polyester intermediate having a degree of polymerization of at least 4 by the reaction of unsubstituted resorcinol with a mixture of isophthaloyl dichloride and terephthaloyl dichloride in a ratio of about 0.25-4.0:1 isophthaloyl to terephthaloyl; and    (B) conducting a reaction of said polyester intermediate with phosgene in the presence of bisphenol A in a two-phase system including an aqueous phase and dichloromethane.    
     
     
         51 . A copolyestercarbonate made according to the method of  claim 31 .  
     
     
         52 . A copolyestercarbonate made according to the method of  claim 42 .  
     
     
         53 . A copolyestercarbonate made according to the method of  claim 46 .  
     
     
         54 . A blend of copolyestercarbonate and polycarbonate homopolymer made according to the method of  claim 44.