Plastic modifiers

Abstract

Hydrocarbyl terminated polyester compounds comprising sulfur-containing repeat units that are useful as plastic modifiers, polymer blend compositions comprising the hydrocarbyl terminated polyester compounds, methods for modifying the performance properties of polymers, and methods for preparing the hydrocarbyl terminated polyester compounds.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A process for preparing a distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia) from a compound of Formula (III), the process comprising:
 (a) contacting the compound of Formula (III) with an alcohol, R 3 OH, to form a distribution of compounds of Formula (II); and   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         (b) contacting the distribution of compounds of Formula (II) with an acyl halide or its acid analog, R 4 C(O)X, to form the distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia); 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 1 , R 3 , and R 4  independently are hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl; 
 X is a halide ion or a hydroxyl group; 
 Z is sulfur, sulfoxide, or sulfone; 
 k is an integer of 1 or greater; and 
 n is an integer of 1 or greater. 
 
       
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is alkyl; and R 3  and R 4  independently are alkyl, substituted alky, alkenyl, or substituted alkenyl. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is C 1  to C 6  alkyl; and R 3  and R 4  independently are C 1  to C 30  alkyl or C 1  to C 30  alkenyl. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 3 , wherein R 1  is methyl; Z is sulfur; k is from 1 to 20; and n is 2. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the compound of Formula (III) and the alcohol, R 3 OH, are present at a mole-to-mole ratio of about 1:0.1 to about 1:10; 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein step (a) is conducted in the presence of a catalyst and at a temperature of about 80° C. to about 150° C. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the distribution of compounds of Formula (II) and R 4 C(O)X are present at a mole-to-mole ratio of about 1:0.8 to about 1:1.5. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) is conducted at a temperature of about 70° C. to about 90° C. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , further comprising contacting the distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia) with one or more agents to remove color bodies and/or odor. 
     
     
         10 . A process for preparing a distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia) from a compound of Formula (IV), the process comprising:
 (a) contacting the compound of Formula (IV) with an alcohol, R 3 OH, to form a distribution of compounds of Formula (II); and   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         (b) contacting the distribution of compounds of Formula (II) with an acyl halide or its acid analog, R 4 C(O)X, to form the distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia); 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein:
 R 1 , R 3 , and R 4  independently are hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl; 
 X is a halide ion or a hydroxyl group; 
 Z is sulfur, sulfoxide, or sulfone; 
 k is an integer of 1 or greater; and 
 n is an integer of 1 or greater. 
 
       
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein R 1  is alkyl; and R 3  and R 4  independently are alkyl, substituted alky, alkenyl, or substituted alkenyl. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein R 1  is C 1  to C 6  alkyl; and R 3  and R 4  independently are C 1  to C 30  alkyl or C 1  to C 30  alkenyl. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 12 , wherein R 1  is methyl; Z is sulfur; k is from 1 to 20; and n is 2. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the compound of Formula (III) and the alcohol, R 3 OH, are present at a mole-to-mole ratio of about 1:0.1 to about 1:10. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein step (a) is conducted in the presence of a catalyst and at a temperature of about 80° C. to about 150° C. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein the compound of Formula (II) and R 4 C(O)X are present at a mole-to-mole ratio of about 1:0.8 to about 1:1.5. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 10 , wherein step (b) is conducted at a temperature of about 70° C. to about 90° C. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 10 , further comprising contacting the distribution of compounds of Formula (Ia) with one or more agents to remove color bodies and/or odor.