Polycarbonates, compositions made therefrom, methods of manufacture thereof, and articles therefrom

A melt polymerized polycarbonate comprising repeat units derived from the melt polymerization of monomers (II), (IV), and optionally (VIII), monomers (III), (IV), and optionally (VIII), or monomers (II), (III), (IV), and optionally (VIII), wherein

• monomer (II) is a first dihydroxy compound of structure (II):
• wherein n is 0 to 4, and each Rf1 is independently a halogen, a C1-12 hydrocarbyl group, or a C1-12 halogen substituted hydrocarbyl group;
• monomer (III) is a second dihydroxy compound not the same as monomer (II) and of structure (III):
• wherein m is 1 to 4, and Rf2 is independently a halogen, a C1-12 hydrocarbyl group, or a C1-12 halogen substituted hydrocarbyl group;
• monomer (IV) is a third dihydroxy compound of structure (IV):
• wherein Ra and Rb are each independently a halogen or C1-12 hydrocarbyl group that is meta to the hydroxy group on the same aromatic ring;
• Rc and Rd are each independently a halogen or a C1-C12 hydrocarbyl group that is ortho to the hydroxy group on the same aromatic ring;
• p and q are each independently 0 to 2;
• v and w are each independently 1 or 2;
• and Xa is a single bond or a C1-18 organic bridging group connecting the two hydroxy-substituted aromatic groups;
• and
• monomer (VIII) is a fourth dihydroxy compound of structure (VIII):
• wherein Ra and Rb are each independently a halogen or C1-12 hydrocarbyl group that is meta to the hydroxy group on the same aromatic ring;
• p and q are each independently integers of 0 to 2;
• and Xa is a single bond or a C1-18 organic group connecting the two hydroxy-substituted aromatic group;
• wherein
• the mole ratio of repeat units in the polycarbonate derived from monomers [(II)+(III)]:(IV):(VIII) is 15-70:1-85:0-50,
• the sum of the mole percent of repeat units in the polycarbonate derived from monomers [(II)+(III)]+(IV) is greater than or equal to 50 mole %, and
• the sum of the mole percent of units in the polycarbonate derived from monomers [(II)+(III)]+(IV)+(VIII) is 100 mole %;
• and
• wherein the polycarbonate has an L* value that is at least 1 L* unit value higher than the same polycarbonate in which monomer (IV) is replaced by bisphenol A.