Process for producing a branched polycarbonate or poly(ester-carbonate)

In a process for producing a branched polycarbonate or poly(ester-carbonate) by reacting a combination of a monomer component composed of an aromatic dihydroxy compound (A) or a mixture of an aromatic dihydroxy compound (A) and a dibasic acid derivative (B), and a polyfunctional organic compound (C), with a compound of the formula

• COM.sub.2
• where M is selected from a class of chloro and phenoxy, the improvement which comprises using, as the polyfunctional organic compound (C), a member selected from the compounds I, II, and III of the formulas ##STR3## where Z is selected from the class of chloroformyl (--COCl) and chloroformyloxy (--OCOCl), X and Y are similar or dissimilar and selected from the class of --COC1, --OCOCl, --OH and --COOH, and X and Y attach to 2- and 4-positions, 3- and 4-positions, or 3- and 5-positions based on the Z;
• A is similar or dissimilar and selected from the class of --COCl and --COOH;
• and B is similar or dissimilar and selected from the class of --OCOCl and --OH, the quantity of compound (C) being sufficient and up to 2 mole % based on the moles of compound (A) to provide a branching structure and to permit the polymer to be dissolved in a solvent.