Importance

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Abstract

Poly-p-dioxanone is prepared in a process comprising: (a) heating a reaction mixture comprising p-dioxanone and an effective amount of a polymerization catalyst under conditions of temperature and pressure effective to produce a reaction product mixture comprising molten poly-p-dioxanone and unreacted p-dioxanone; (b) solidifying the reaction product mixture and dividing it into a plurality of solid particles; (c) introducing the solid particles into a separator vessel and exposing the solid particles to a temperature within the range of about 25.degree. to about 110.degree. C. under reduced pressure and sweeping the particles with an inert gas, thereby separating the reaction product mixture into an unreacted p-dioxanone portion and a poly-p-dioxanone portion comprising less than about 3 weight percent p-dioxanone; and (d) removing the poly-p-dioxanone portion from the separator. The invention process permits the economical production of high molecular weight poly-p-dioxanone in the melt.

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First Claim