Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF) from 3-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (HOMeTHF) or 3-formyltetrahydrofuran (FTHF) by contacting HOMeTHF or 3-formyltetrahydrofuran with a secondary alcohol in the presence of a hydrous zirconia catalyst.

Abstract: The use of olefin feedstocks with low carbon monoxide content to achieve improved productivities in nickel catalyzed olefin polymerizations is described.

Abstract: Acetoacetate-functional alkyd resins are disclosed, as are compositions including such resins in combination with at least one drier and an organic solvent. The acetoacetate-functional alkyd resin described is the reaction product of an alkyd resin with an alkyl acetoacetate. Also disclosed are methods of preparing such compositions, and uses for such compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the continuous, semi-continuous or batch production of 3-buten-1-ol from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene wherein 3,4-epoxy-1-butene and formic acid are fed to a reaction zone having a catalyst solution comprising a palladium(0) compound, a tertiary phosphine, a trialkylamine and an organic solvent. Preferably in the operation of this invention, 3-buten-1-ol product and reaction side products serve as the organic solvent for the process. The preferred mode of operation is continuous addition of reactants to the reaction mixture with simultaneous, continuous distillation of a reaction product comprising 3-buten-1-ol.

Abstract: This application discloses amber colored polyesters suitable for packaging food and beverages. The amber polyester compositions provide excellent blockage of UV and visible light over the wavelength ranges of from about 320-550 nm, rendering them suitable for packaging materials sensitive to ultraviolet and visible light over this wavelength range, particularly beer.

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.

Abstract: A waterborne acetoacetate-functionalized alkyd coating composition is disclosed which includes an acetoacetate-functionalized alkyd resin, at least one drier, and water. The acetoacetate-functionalized alkyd resin is the reaction product of (i) an alkyd resin, and (ii) an alkyl acetoacetate. Also disclosed is a method of preparing a waterborne acetoacetate-functionalized alkyd coating composition which includes the step of contacting an acetoacetate-functionalized alkyd resin with at least one drier in the presence of water.

Abstract: Polymer composite materials comprising of least one polymer resin and platelet particles from at least one layered silicate material uniformly dispersed in the resin and articles prepared from the polymer composite materials. The polymer composite contains at least one polyamide resin, at least one oxygen scavenging system, and at least one layered silicate material. These polymer composite materials are especially useful for manufacturing clear polyester bottles and polyester film that are recyclable have improved active gas barrier properties to oxygen, and have improved passive barrier properties to carbon dioxide and other gases. The polymer composite materials can be used in relatively minor amounts as either a blend or a coextruded thin layer with virgin or post consumer recycled polyesters and related copolymners.

Abstract: A polyester pellet composition, a preform, and a bottle, each comprising a polyester polymer and silicon carbide. A polyester, and in particular a polyethylene terephthalate polyester, bottle containing silicon carbide has a low coefficient of static friction and a low bottle sidewall haze.

Abstract: The invention provides a biodegradable polymer composition comprising a biodegradable polymer and a phenol-containing compound mixed with the polymer. The phenol-containing compound is present in the biodegradable polymer at an amount sufficient to slow the degradation rate of the biodegradable polymer. The invention also pertains to a method for slowing the degradation rate of a biodegradable polymer.

Abstract: A novel composition is provided comprising a specified polyethylene component and a filler such that a film formed from the composition is characterized by having increased moisture vapor transmission rate. Also disclosed is a novel polyethylene composition useful in producing film.

Abstract: A novel continuous gas phase polymerization process for producing polyethylene and interpolymers of ethylene and at least one other olefin is provided wherein a non-aromatic halogenated hydrocarbon(s) is used in a specified amount such that the activity of the titanium, zirconium and/or hafnium containing Ziegler-Natta catalyst is increased.

Abstract: A coal gasification nozzle is disclosed having a barrier, integral with the face of the injector, that fits into a groove of a heat shield attached to the nozzle face. The barrier prevents oxidative corrosion of the shield, and subsequent damage to the underlying face of the feed injector, by preventing diffusion of corrosive species to the threaded ring by which the heat shield is attached to the face of the nozzle. The life of the injector, and thus the length of any single gasification campaign, is thereby extended.

Abstract: A consumer article comprising a hand-held spray container, and a sprayable composition contained within the spray container comprising ethanol or isopropanol and methyl acetate or t-butyl acetate, a hair care composition comprising a fixative, ethanol, and methyl acetate or t-butyl acetate, and a method of fixing hair comprising spraying the compositions of this invention onto hair.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of ascorbic acids from 2-keto-hexonic acids or 2-keto-hexonic acid derivatives using alkaline earth silicate catalysts. The process may be carried out in water, alcohols, or in a variety of polar or moderately polar solvents or solvent mixtures and provides for simple workup and purification of ascorbic acid products. The process generates no by-product salts and thus, does not require the steps of neutralization or the handling of salt by-products. The process is particularly suited for the continuous preparation of L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid and its esters.

Abstract: A PCT copolyester composition having at least about 70 mole % terephthalic acid and at least about 70 mole % 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and an inherent viscosity of greater than about 0.9 dL/g is prepared by solid state polymerizing a copolyester composition having a starting inherent viscosity of from about 0.4 to about 0.8 dL/g for a period of from about 1 minute to 100 hours and at a temperature of from about 140° C. to about 2° C. below the melting point of the copolyester to produce a copolyester having an inherent viscosity of greater than about 0.9 dL/g. Another aspect of the present invention is an extrusion blow molded article made from the copolyester prepared by the solid state polymerization process.

Abstract: A multi-layer structure comprises at least one electrostatic dissipative outer layer and a conductive core layer. The outer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an inherently dissipative polymer, an inherently dissipative polymer blended with a non-conductive matrix polymer, an inherently conductive polymer blended with a non-conductive matrix polymer in an amount sufficient to impart a surface resistivity of greater than 105 and less than 1012 ohms/square, and mixtures thereof. The core layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of an inherently conductive polymer, an inherently conductive polymer blended with a non-conductive matrix polymer, a conductive filler blended with a non-conductive matrix polymer, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel colorant compounds which contain one or more ethylenically-unsaturated (vinyl), photopolymerizable radicals which may be copolymewrized (or cured) with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored compositions such as colored acrylic coatings and polymers, e.g., coatings and 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 the preparation of certain of the photopolymerizable colorant compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed are amber polyester compositions suitable for packaging food and beverages wherein the compositions significantly absorbs light of wavelengths shorter than about 550 nm which is achieved by a combination of several colorants, most of which are copolymerized into the polyester.

Abstract: Disclosed are blue, diol anthraquinone blue colorant compounds having excellent thermal stability and which can be reacted into or copolymerized with polyester thus providing a blue-colored polyesters useful for manufacturing a variety of shaped articles such as photographic film base, particularly roentgenographic (X-ray) film. Also disclosed are blue anthraquinone colorant compounds which contain two ethylenically-unsaturated (vinyl), photopolymerizable radicals which may be derived from the aforesaid diol anthraquinone compounds. The anthraquinone colorant compounds containing two ethylenically-unsaturated may be reacted into or copolymerized (or cured) with ethylenically-unsaturated monomers to produce colored vinyl polymers.