Process for the preparation of thermoplastic polycarbonates

Abstract

A two step solvent-free process for the preparation of polycarbonates having a low degree of branching is disclosed. Accordingly, the process comprise (i) transesterifying in the melt, at temperatures of from 80.degree. to 250.degree. C. and under atmospheric pressure and for a time of up to five hours of diphenols and carbonic acid diaryl esters in the presence of a catalyst to form an oligocarbonate having a weight average molecular weight of from 8,000 to 18,000 and an OH-end group content of from 25 to 50%, and (ii) polycondensing of said oligocarbonate at temperatures of from 250.degree. C. to 295.degree. C. and pressures of from <500 mbar to 0. 01 mbar, said catalyst being present in an amount of 10.sup.-1 to 10.sup.-8 tool of a catalyst per tool of diphenol, said catalyst being at least one member selected from the group consisting of quaternary ammonium compounds and quaternary phosphonium compounds.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.