Abstract: Disclosed is an optimized process and apparatus for more efficiently and economically producing aromatic discarboxylic acids. The process reduces costs associated with hydrogenation by forming a final composite product containing unhydrogenated acid particles.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to the production of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol by hydrogenation of a 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-dione in the presence of an iridium-promoted cobalt-based catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of a phytolipid composition from a vegetable oil by-product. The phytolipid composition produced comprises squalene, phytosterols, mixed tocopherols and tocotrieneols, and vegetable wax and is useful as an emollient. The phytochemical composition may be applied directly to the skin to provide emolliency. Alternatively, the phytolipid composition may be formulated in various aqueous or anhydrous cosmetic compositions such as creams, lotions, gels, ointments, lip balms, sticks, or pencils for treatment of the skin and lips. The phytolipid composition also may be incorporated into foods, beverages, and nutraceuticals to provide health benefits.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester/polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property. More particularly, the present invention relates to combinations of a polyethylene terephthalate polymer and a polyamide polymer having an excellent gas barrier property and short oxygen scavenging induction periods, where the polyamide polymer has a C:A terminal group concentration ratio of 2:1 or more and a C+A terminal group concentration of at least 0.17 meq/g of polyamide polymer, wherein C represents a cumulative total of a terminal carboxyl group concentration and a terminal hydrocarbyl group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide, and A represents a terminal amine group concentration expressed in meq/g of polyamide.

Abstract: A melt phase process for making a polyester polymer melt phase product by adding an antimony containing catalyst to the melt phase, polycondensing the melt containing said catalyst in the melt phase until the It.V. of the melt reaches at least 0.75 dL/g. Polyester polymer melt phase pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.75 dL/g are obtained without solid state polymerization. The polyester polymer pellets containing antimony residues and having an It.V. of at least 0.70 dL/g obtained without increasing the molecular weight of the melt phase product by solid state polymerization are fed to an extruder, melted to produce a molten polyester polymer, and extruded through a die to form shaped articles. The melt phase products and articles made thereby have low b* color and/or high L* brightness, and the reaction time to make the melt phase products is short.

Abstract: Mixtures of terephthalate diesters having lowered freezing points and methods of making the terephthalic acid diesters. The method includes contacting a first alcohol, a second different alcohol and dimethyl terephthalate in the presence of a catalyst to thereby form the terephthalate diesters.

Abstract: Disclosed are high clarity films produced from semicrystalline polyesters by calendering. These films unexpectedly develop a higher peak melting point, which leads to higher thermal resistance. The semicrystalline polyesters may be biodegradable. When these calendered films are oriented, they develop unexpectedly high physical strength or clarity in comparison to films that are prepared by conventional techniques.

Abstract: A method for liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene with molecular oxygen to terephthalic acid that minimizes solvent loss through solvent burn and minimizes the formation of incomplete oxidation products such as 4-carboxybenzaldehyde (4-CBA). P-xylene is oxidized at a temperature in the range of 120° C. to 250° C. and in the presence of a source of molecular oxygen and a catalyst composition substantially free of zirconium atoms comprising a source of nickel (Ni) atoms, a source of manganese (Mn) atoms, and a source of bromine (Br) atoms, to form a crude reaction mixture comprising terephthalic acid and incompletely oxidized reaction products comprising 4-CBA, wherein the stoichiometric molar ratio of bromine atoms to manganese atoms is 1.5 or less, and the amount of nickel atoms is at least 500 ppm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyolefin composition comprising (A) at least one polyolefin prepared in the presence of at least one Ziegler Natta; (B) a salt comprising at least one suitable phosphorus-containing acid and at least one suitable basic organic compound, such as a hindered amine light stabilizer; (C) at least one phenolic species selected from one or more phenolic compounds selected from phenolic antioxidants and ultraviolet light absorbers.

Abstract: A process for thermally crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing pellets into a liquid medium having a temperature of at least 140° C. within a liquid medium zone and crystallizing the submerged pellets at or above the vapor pressure of the liquid medium without increasing the molecular weight of the pellets, and while the pressure on at least a portion of the pellets is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium, separating at least a portion of said pellets and at least a portion of the liquid medium from each other. The crystallization is desirably conducted in the liquid medium zone without mechanically induced agitation. Optionally, the pellets are formed by an underfluid pelletizer.

Abstract: Polyester compositions are disclosed that include polyester polymers or copolymers having incorporated therein metallic titanium particles that improve the reheat properties of the compositions. Processes for making such compositions are also disclosed. The titanium particles may be incorporated in the polyester by melt compounding, or may be added at any stage of the polymerization, such as during the melt-phase of the polymerization. A range of particle sizes may be used, as well as a range of particle size distributions. The polyester compositions are suitable for use in packaging made from processes in which a reheat step is desirable.

Abstract: A solid concentrate is provided having a combination of a transition metal present in an amount ranging from 1000 to 40,000 ppm (weight by metal) and a polyester polymer present in an amount of at least 40 wt. % based on the weight of the concentrate. Concentrates made with highly modified polyester polymers are easy to compound with transition metals forming less brittle polymer upon melt extrusion. Bottle preforms and oxygen scavenging bottles can be made from these concentrates by combining solid polyester particles, solid polyamide particles, and solid these concentrate particles c into an melt processing zone, forming a melt, and forming an article directly from the melt. The b* color and the L* color and the haze levels of the preforms are improved over the preforms made with liquid carriers instead of solid concentrates.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for efficiently incorporating a nitrogen containing methine light absorber into a polyester resin. The method includes forming a reaction mixture comprising combining a diol component, a diacid component selected from the group consisting of dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid derivatives, and mixtures thereof, an antimony containing compound, a phosphorus containing compound, a metal containing compound, and a nitrogen containing methine light absorber. The reaction mixture is polymerized in a polycondensation reaction system. In another embodiment the light absorber is added while the reaction products of one reactor are being transferred to the next reactor in the polycondensation reaction system. The present invention is also directed articles made from the polyester resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to highly enantiomerically pure lactam-substituted propanoic acid derivatives and methods of making and using therefor. The invention involves a multi-step synthesis to produce the lactam compounds. In one step of the reaction sequence, asymmetric hydrogenation of a lactam-enamide was performed to produce an intermediate that can ultimately be converted to a series of pharmaceutical compounds. The invention also contemplates the in situ synthesis of an intermediate of the multi-step synthesis, which provides economic advantages to the overall synthesis of the lactam compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the recovery of phosphorus and/or iodine containing catalyst components, present as an organophosphorus compound such as trihydrocarbylphosphine compounds and tetrahydrocarbylphosphonium compounds, from a solution of at least one such organophosphorus compound in an organic solvent by the steps comprising (1) converting the organophosphorus compound to an iodide complex of a organophosphonium compound which is insoluble in the organic solvent; and (2) separating the insoluble iodide complex of the organophosphonium compound from the solution. The process also results in the recovery of iodine values present in the solution.

Abstract: A process for crystallizing a polyester polymer by introducing a molten polyester polymer, such as a polyethylene terephthalate polymer, into a liquid medium at a liquid medium temperature greater than the Tg of the polyester polymer, such as at a temperature ranging from 100° C. to 190° C., and allowing the molten polyester polymer to reside in the liquid medium for a time sufficient to crystallize the polymer under a pressure equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of the liquid medium. A process flow, underwater cutting process, crystallization in a pipe, and a separator are also described.

Abstract: A polyester composition, a preform, and a bottle, containing a polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate and activated carbon to enhance the rate for reheating the composition is provided. Activated carbon may be added in the presence of active phosphorus containing compounds, or at any stage in the melt phase after prepolymerization and after the polyester polymer is solidified. Polyester concentrates containing activated carbon may be added to bulk polyesters to make preforms suitable for blowing into bottles.

Abstract: This invention pertains to certain novel colorant compounds containing one or more ethylenically-unsaturated, photopolymerizable radicals that may be copolymerized (or cured) with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored compositions such as colored acrylic polymers. Suitable compositions having the present colorants copolymerized therein include, e.g., polymers produced from acrylate and methacrylate esters, colored polystyrenes, and similar colored polymeric materials derived from other ethylenically-unsaturated monomers. The present invention also pertains to processes for preparing the photopolymerizable colorant compounds. The ethylenically unsaturated colorant compounds may be suitable for use in coatings that are applied to wood, glass, metal, thermoplastics and the like.

Abstract: This invention relates to a blend of biodegradable polymers comprising: (A) about 70% to about 80% by weight of at least one flexible biodegradable polymer (A) having a glass transition less than about 0° C., (B) about 30% to about 20% by weight of at least one rigid biodegradable polymer (B) having a glass transition greater than about 10° C.; said percentages being based on the total weight of the polymer blend; wherein said polymer blend has a notched Izod impact strength according to ASTM D256 of at least 7.5 ft-lbs/in.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermally-stable, anthraquinone colorant compounds (dyes) which contain one or more vinyl groups which render the compounds copolymerizable with reactive vinyl monomers to produce colored, polymeric compositions such as acrylate and methacrylate polymeric materials. The compounds possess good fastness (stability) to ultraviolet (UV) light, good solubility in vinyl monomers, good color strength and excellent thermal stability. Also disclosed are (1) coating composition comprising (i) one or more polymerizable vinyl compounds, (ii) one or more of the dye compounds described above, and (iii) a photoinitiator and (2) polymeric materials, i.e., polymers derived from one or more acrylic acid esters, one or more methacrylic acid esters, one or more other polymerizable vinyl compounds or mixtures of any two or more thereof, having copolymerized therein one or more of the anthraquinone colorant compounds.