Synthesis and anionic alternating copolymerization of a spiro orthocarbonate having an epoxy group (ESOC) with a bicyclic bis-γ-lactone (BGL) were examined. The anionic copolymerization was carried out witht-BuOK as an initiator with or without THE as a solvent at 120°C for 96h to obtain the corresponding copolymer in good yield. The unit ratio of the both monomer components in the polymer was always 1 : 1 irrespective of the monomer feed ratios. ¹HNMR spectroscopic analysis of the obtained polymer also confirmed the anionic alternating copolymerization of BGL with ESOC. Cationic crosslinking of the copolymer from BGL and ESOC was carried out with a benzylsulfonium salt as an initiator in chlorobenzene at 120°C for 40h to obtain the corresponding network polymer in 84% yield. The anionic copolymerization and cationic crosslinking of the copolymer were accompanied 3.05 and 1.20% volume expansion, respectively.

View full abstract

The ring opening reactions of phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) and/or phenoxymethylthiirane (PT) and primary amines were investigated. Aniline, cyclohexylamine and n-octylamine were used as primary amines. The initial reaction rate of PT with aniline was larger than that of PGE with aniline, but PT did not react quantitatively due to existence of an equilibrium reaction in the former system. The reaction of PGE with aniline proceeded via addition and produced the 2 : 1 adduct as a final product, whereas addition and oligomerization reactions occurred competitively in the reaction of PT with aniline. The initial reaction of PGE was accelerated in the presence of PT and vice versa, and PT reacted quantitatively. These results indicated that the reaction of PGE was accelerated by thiolate anion and that the equilibrium reaction was retarded by PGE. The reaction behaviors of three-membered rings with other primary amines were similar to those with aniline. The improvement in the curing rate of epoxy adhesives by introducing thiirane groups could be explained in terms of the synergistic effect on enhancement in ring-opening reactivities of three-membered rings.

View full abstract

In an enterprise, what enables us to develop new products and services is the existence of such factors as scientific knowledge and technological accumulation from the past, as well as collected wisdom and experience through the years. If such an accumulation is called a “technology platform”, then how is it born, strengthened, and how will it transform?
This essay reviews how Hitachi Chemical's resin technology platform was created, and with it as the base, how its business structure developed from electric to electronic materials, showing two examples of product development; a photosensitive dry film and a specialty polymer for semiconductor devices.
In addition, this essay discusses Hitachi Chemical's business focus for the future and how to realize it as an R&D oriented company, giving an example of the development of an anisotropic conductive film.

View full abstract