Abstract: The invention relates to a polymer prepared from the repeat units of residues of a monomer of at least one dicarboxylic acid or ester; a monomer comprising a diol, diamine or a mixture thereof; a monomer comprising at least one sulfonate group and at least one polyester reactive group, and a monomer comprising an optical brightener agent having at least one polyester reactive group. The invention further relates to a method for preparing a polymer. The invention further relates to method of marking an article or composition with the polymer. The invention further relates to a method for detecting and separating an article contacted with the polymer. The invention further relates to an article or composition contacted with the polymer. The invention further relates to a method for enhancing the optical brightness of an article or composition, by contacting the article or composition with the polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3-methyltetrahydrofuran (3-MeTHF) from 3-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydrofuran (3-HOMeTHF) by a plurality of process steps comprising (1) esterifying 3-HOMeTHF to produce a carboxylate ester of 3-HOMeTHF, (2) pyrrolyzing the carboxylate ester to produce 3-methylenetetrahydrofuran (3-methyleneTHF), and (3) hydrogenating the 3-methyleneTHF to produce 3-MeTHF. The 3-MeTHF produced in accordance with the present invention is useful as an industrial solvent and as a monomer in the manufacture of polymers such as elastomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monolayer film formed from a composition comprising from about 90 weight percent to about 99 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of a component selected from a homopolymer of ethylene; an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer; an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer; and mixtures thereof; wherein the component has a density no greater than 0.94 g/cc; and from about 1 weight percent to about 10 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition of a copolymer of propylene with a monomer copolymerizable therewith, having a viscosity of between about 1 and about 2000 cP at 190 degrees C., and a needle penetration of about 50 dmm to about 150 dmm at 23 degrees C., wherein the monomer comprises from about 10 weight percent to about 40 weight percent of the total weight of the propylene copolymer. The monolayer films of the present invention are particularly well suited for use as a stretch film.

Abstract: The condensation reaction of a ketone with either an ester or a carbonate to form, respectively, a 1,3-diketone or a .beta.-ketoester often affords poor results under the standard condensation reaction conditions. High yields and high purities of the desired product can be obtained by performing the reaction using an alkoxide base in DMSO as the sole solvent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating entrained gases from a pumped fluid. A degas pipe having an increased inner dimension relative to surrounding process piping is provided to generate a stratified two-phase gas/liquid flow. A controlled release mechanism permits selective removal of gas from the degas pipe.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aqueous enteric coating composition comprised of a solution of a water-soluble salt of an enteric coating polymer, with a hydrophobic compound containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms and a water-insoluble solid flake material dispersed in the aqueous solution. The enteric coating formed from the present composition has good mechanical strength and shows superior resistance to attack by atmospheric moisture and simulated gastric fluid, while being readily broken down under the alkaline conditions which exist in the intestine.

Abstract: The invention relates to anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants derived from colored disulfonyl chlorides containing anthraquinone chromophores by reacting with various diamines. The anthraquinone polysulfonamide colorants are useful for coloring a wide variety of products such as plastics, fibers, films, cosmetics, skin creams or lotions, polishes, waxes, hair colorations, coatings, paints, inks, etc. and are particularly useful in end uses where sublimation, migration, extraction and exudation of presently used colorants are problems.

Abstract: The invention relates to amorphous and crystalline fibers, particularly binder fibers, made from polyesters and the polyesters themselves. The polyesters of the invention are generally formed from a glycol component, such as a five carbon glycol, and a dicarboxylic acid component. The polyesters may be formed into a variety of products, for example fibers, composites and other molded articles. Preferably the polyesters are binder fibers for nonwovens, textile and industrial yarns and fabrics.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing novel trans-3-alkyloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofurans including racemic and substantially enantiomerically pure (3S,4S)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofurans and (3R,4R)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-acyloxytetrahydrofurans. The disclosed process comprises the steps of reacting 3,4-epoxytetrahydrofuran with an alcohol under Lewis acid catalysis to obtain a racemic trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran; contacting the trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran with an acyl donor in the presence of a hydrolase enzyme to produce a mixture of a substantially enantiomerically pure (3S,4S)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-hydroxytetrahydrofuran and a substantially enantiomerically pure (3R,4R)-trans-3-alk(en)yloxy-4-acyloxytetrahydrofuran; and separating the components of the mixture by partitioning between water and a solvent immiscible with water.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward efficient, high-yield processes for making ascorbic acid, 2-keto-L-gulonic acid, and esters of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. The processes comprise reacting the appropriate starting materials with a hydrolase enzyme catalyst such as a protease, an esterase, a lipase or an amidase.

Abstract: A vapor phase process for the carbonylation of lower alkyl alcohols to esters and optionally, carboxylic acids using a catalyst containing iridium and at least one second metal selected from the Lanthanide Series. Desirably, the iridium and secondary metal are deposited on activated carbon as a support material. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the vapor phase process is useful for preparing acetic acid, methyl acetate or a mixture thereof by contacting the catalyst with a vapor comprising methanol, a halide and carbon monoxide under carbonylation process conditions.

Abstract: A latex composition for hair care containing a hybrid-graft copolymer of a sulfopolyester and an acid-functional polymer segment. The acid-functional polymer segment is formed from at least one acid-functional monomer, at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and at least one amide-containing monomer. Such compositions exhibit superior curl retention even at high humidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to fibers, particularly binder fibers, made from copolyesters and the copolyesters themselves. The copolyesters of the invention are generally formed from 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, ethylene glycol and isophthalic acid or esters thereof and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from terephthalic acid, naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 1,3- or 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid or esters thereof. Such copolyesters may be formed into a variety of products, especially binder fibers for nonwoven fabrics, textile and industrial yarns, and composites.

Abstract: This invention provides cellulose ester fibers having an intermediate degree of substitution per anhydroglucose unit (DS/AGU) along with pigments which act as photooxidation catalyst. The fibers are useful as filler materials for tobacco products. The filter materials thus provided are easily dispersible and biodegradable and do not persist in the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the stabilization of dry N,N-dialkyl-p-phenylenediamine color developers and to the stabilized compositions thus obtained wherein the color developer which is susceptible to oxidative discoloration is intimately mixed with a stabilizing amount of an alkali metal metabisulfite, bisulfite or sulfite The method is particularly useful for the stabilization of salts of N-ethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)4-amino-3-methylaniline.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hydroformylation process for preparing an aldehyde, which comprises reacting an olefin with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst solution comprising of rhodium, a hydroformylation solvent and a chlorophosphite compound having the general formula ##STR1##

Abstract: In a process for extruding a thermoplastic resin in a single screw extruder, a barrel of a single screw extruder has a channel, a feed section and a first melt seal located after the feed section. The process is improved by supplying solid polymer into the feed section and venting moisture extracted from the polymer during the conversion of the polymer from a solid to a melt into a vent area and through a rear vent positioned in the feed section. An unfilled area within the channel of the barrel between the rear vent and the first melt seal forms the vent area.

Abstract: A novel composition or blend is provided comprising a broad molecular weight distribution autoclave process low density polyethylene and a narrow molecular weight distribution gas phase process linear low density polyethylene, that is particularly suitable for use in the preparation of films having both clarity and strength.

Abstract: The invention provides two new zoogloeal strains, mz1t and mz2t. The invention provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:1. Examples of nucleic acids of mz1t include SEQ ID NO:2 and SEQ ID NO:3. An example of a nucleic acid of mz2t is SEQ ID NO:4. The invention also provides an isolated nucleic acid consisting of the nucleic acid of SEQ ID NO:5. A method of detecting the presence of zoogloeal clusters in a wastewater sample is provided, comprising: a) contacting RNA from a sample of the wastewater with a nucleic acid comprising the nucleic acid of SEQ ID Nos:1,2,3,4 or 5 under conditions that permit specific hybridization; and b) detecting the presence of hybridization, the presence of hybridization indicating the presence of zoogloeal clusters. A new Hyphomicrobium spp. strain, designated M3, is provided herein. The invention provides novel nucleic acids of a Hyphomicrobium sp. M3. For example SEQ ID NO:6 and SEQ ID NO:7 rDNAs of M3.

Abstract: The specification describes various polymers having monomer of formula (I): ##STR1## In formula (I), R1 and R2 are, independently, hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.24 alkyl group, an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 heterocycloalkyl group, or a --C(O)R3 group in which R3 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.24 alkyl group, an aromatic or heteroaromatic group, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.7 heterocyclic group; or a --CH.sub.2 --C(O)--R4 group in which R4 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl group. At least one of R1 and R2 is a --C(O)R3 group. The polymer may be a homopolymer or a copolymer containing other ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer may be used in a variety of coating compositions such as inks, adhesives, paints and films. Unique monomers where both R1 and R2 are acetoacetyl groups and novel monomers where R2 is an acetoacetyl group are also described.