Processes for the preparation of polymers

A process for the preparation of a toner composition consisting essentially of (1) mixing a water soluble monomer or monomers, and an oil soluble monomer or monomers with optional polymerization initiators, an optional crosslinking component and an optional chain transfer component;

• (2) effecting bulk polymerization until from about 10 to about 40 weight percent of the water soluble and oil soluble monomer or monomers have been polymerized;
• (3) cooling the product obtained;
• (4) mixing with the aforesaid partially polymerized product components comprised of charge control agents, pigments, or dyes to formulate a uniform organic phase;
• (5) dispersing the organic phase into from between about 2 to about 5 times its volume of water containing from between about 1 to about 5 weight percent of a stabilizing component to form a suspension with an average particle size of from between about 5 to about 25 microns and a particle size distribution of from about 1.1 to about;
• (6) suspension polymerizing to complete the conversion of said monomer, or said monomers to polymer;
• (7) washing the toner product containing said polymer with water and/or an alcohol;
• (8) isolating the toner composition;
• and (9) drying;
• and wherein said monomer or monomers are styrene, monocarboxylic acids and the derivatives thereof;
• dicarboxylic acids with a double bond;
• vinyl esters;
• vinyl ketones;
• vinyl naphthalene;
• unsaturated mono-olefins;
• vinylidene halides;
• sulfonic acids or sulfonates;
• and mixtures thereof.