Abstract: A catalyst and process for preparation of dihydroxy esters from specified hydroxy aldehydes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a catalyst liquid is provided which comprises from 10 percent to 60 percent magnesium salt of a specified alkanoic acid or acids, and from 90 percent to 40 percent of a particular alkanoic acid or acids, the molar ratio of alkanoic acid to magnesium salt being from about 1.5 to 20.3. The catalyst solution or liquid contacts or is contacted with a specified hydroxy aldehyde under suitable reaction conditions to form the desired dihydroxy ester. In another embodiment, dihydroxy esters are derived from specified hydroxy aldehydes by first forming a magnesium catalyst containing liquid by reacting magnesium or magnesium oxide, under suitable conditions, with a suitable alkanoic acid or acids, the acid or acids being provided in excess in specified molar ratios.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing acetoacetoxy-functional polymers (SAAP's) are described. The acetoacetoxy-functional polymer may be a surfactant-containing enamine-functional polymer and more preferably a surfactant-containing, polymeric (polyamino)enamine (PPAE). The PPAE is the reaction product of a surfactant-containing acetoacetoxy-functional polymer (SAAP) and a poly(alkylenimine). The polymers may be prepared as waterborne polymer compositions, such as latexes. The waterborne polymer compositions can be prepared with high solids content while maintaining low viscosity. Waterborne polymer compositions containing the polymers of the inventions are useful in a variety of coating formulations such as, for example, paints, inks, sealants, and adhesives. When used in coating formulations, the polymers of the invention provide adhesion and crosslinking in the final film or coating. The film or coating may be cured at ambient temperatures or may be thermally cured.

Abstract: Optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoesters of >90% enantiomeric excess (ee) and methods of preparing the monoesters are described. One method contacts a cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diester with a lipase under aqueous conditions to enantioselectively produce the optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoester. Another method reacts a mixture of cis- and trans-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acids under conditions sufficient to form a cis-cyclic anhydride, esterifies the cis-cyclic anhydride to produce a cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid diester and then contacts under aqueous conditions the diester with a lipase to enantioselectively produce the optically active cis-1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid monoester.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel thermoplastic article having a high-relief, molded or embossed surface produced by contacting a laminate comprising a first or outer copolyester sheet material and a second or backing copolyester sheet material with heat and pressure using a heated element which simultaneously causes the material to be bonded and a high-relief, decorative appearance to be produced on at least one surface of the thermoplastic article. Also disclosed is an embossed or molded, bonded laminate comprising, in order, (1) a first or outer copolyester layer, (2) a second layer comprising a film which is colored or which bears an image or pattern, and (3) a third or backing copolyester layer, wherein the first and third layers are composed on the above-described copolyester. The copolyesters of the thermoplastic articles and laminates are selected from copolyesters having an inherent viscosity of 0.5 to 1.2 dL/g, when measured at 25.degree. C. using 0.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a thermoplastic polymer composition comprising a blend of a thermoplastic polymer admixed with from about 5 to 50 ppm black iron oxide particles, based on the amount of said thermoplastic polymer. The black iron oxide is admixed with the polymer in order to speed up the process of reheating parisons formed from the polymer during bottle manufacturing. The composition has the beneficial combination of a large percent reheat rate improvement (RIV) with only a small decrease in transparency (.DELTA.L*). The ratio of RIV/.DELTA.L* is significantly better than carbon black--polymer blends having similar RIV.

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 branched random aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters suitable for foaming has increased melt viscosity and melt strength during extrusion and comprises repeating units of:[--{(O--R.sup.1 --O).sub.a --(CO--R.sup.2 --CO).sub.b }--{(O--R.sup.3 --O).sub.c --(CO--Ar--CO).sub.d }--](BA).sub.x.The mole percent of the acid components and diol components are each based on 100 mole percent. The aliphatic acid residue, --CO--R.sup.2 --CO--, is present in an amount b ranging from 30 to 95 percent and the aromatic acid residue, --CO--Ar--CO--, is present in an amount d ranging from 5 to 70 percent. The diol residues, --O--R.sup.1 --O-- and --O--R.sup.3 --O--, are present in an amount a of 0 to 100 mol percent and in an amount c of 100 to 0 mol percent, respectively. The branching agent, BA, is present in an amount x of 0.01 to 10 weight percent based on the total weight of acid residues, diol residues and branching agent. A foamed article of the branched random aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters is disclosed.

Abstract: Blends of at least two polyethylenes are described for extrusion coatings, blown films and cast films. The gloss exhibited by such coatings or films is surprisingly higher than the gloss of the individual components.

Abstract: Blood cholesterol and/or blood triglycerides are reduced in a mammalian subject by administering an effective amount of tert-butylhydroquinone or a salt thereof. The mammalian subject is preferably human. Additionally, a preparation of tert-butylhydroquinone in dosage unit form is provided to reduce blood cholesterol and/or blood triglycerides. The preparation is advantageously designed for oral administration.

Abstract: This invention provides crystalline, water-dispersible polyesters comprising residues of 4,4'-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid. The polyesters comprise residues of 4,4'-biphenyl dicarboxylic acid, at least one difunctional sulfomonomer in an amount sufficient to provide water dispersibility to the polyester, and a glycol or a mixture of glycols. The polyesters of the invention are useful in ink and adhesive compositions.

Abstract: A process for recovering 3,4-epoxy-1-butene from a vapor phase catalytic oxidation reactor effluent where 1,3-butadiene is reacted with oxygen over a silver catalyst, the process includes the steps of contacting the reactor effluent with an absorbent in an absorber and vaporizing in the absorber an effective amount of a non-reactive coolant to cool the absorber to a temperature of less than about 40.degree. C. and a pressure of less than about 4 bar. Advantageously, the vaporization of the non-reactive coolant proximate to the absorber allows the absorber to be operated at lower temperatures and pressures than heretofore possible and provides a further advantage of allowing higher O.sub.2 concentrations in the feed to the epoxidation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention provides crosslinkable latex compositions formed by free-radical emulsion polymerization of monoethylenically unsaturated monomers containing an amide functionality and optionally, additional copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. The amide functionality on the polymer is transformed into isocyanate and/or amine groups by addition of an alkali hypohalide. The polymer may further include an optional crosslinking additive to further facilitate crosslinking of the latex.

Abstract: A multiply paper structure having at least one ply containing a mixture of cellulose ester fibers and cellulose fibers, having improved softening properties, readily moldable at moderate temperatures, printable with ordinary inks, and having adequate stiffness for applications requiring a desired stiffness, and a process for making the same.

Abstract: A yellow, hot melt alkyd traffic marking composition is described. The yellow, hot melt alkyd traffic marking composition contains 10-25 percent by weight of a hot melt alkyd binder, 5-10 percent by weight of a thermally stable 1,5- or 1,8-substituted anthraquinone colorant selected from a 1,5- or 1,8-substituted anthraquinone aromatic thioether and a 1,5- or 1,8-substituted anthraquinone aromatic thioether polyester, and 65-85 weight percent of a filler. The yellow, hot melt alkyd traffic marking composition of the invention may also contain other components used in traffic marking compositions, such as a reflectivity aid, a plasticizer, or an impact modifier. Other optional components are discussed below. The yellow, hot melt alkyd traffic marking compositions may be applied to any paved surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process comprises mixing, at temperatures between about about 90.degree. C. to 300.degree. C., a first reactant solution comprising less than about 5.times.10.sup.-3 moles/l of at least one antimony compound and at least one first diol having having 2 to about 16 carbon atoms with a second reactant solution comprising less than about 30.times.10.sup.-3 moles/l of at least one phosphorus stabilizer compound and at least one second diol to form sub-visual molecular aggregates comprising antimony phosphate derivatives. Sub-visual molecular aggregates comprising antimony phosphate derivatives which are stable in suspension are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the selective epoxidation of non-allylic olefins. The process includes the step of contacting a gas mixture comprising a non-allylic olefin, oxygen, and a fluorinated hydrocarbon with a silver epoxidation catalyst at conditions effective to epoxidize the non-allylic olefin. The fluorinated hydrocarbon has a C--F bond dissociation energy of 110 kcal/mole or greater, and sufficiently non-acidic C--H bonds, if present, so as to avoid abstraction of HF from the fluorinated hydrocarbon under reaction conditions.

Abstract: The operational life of a synthesis gas generation reactor burner nozzle is improved, at least about 14%, by a faired lip around the nozzle discharge orifice projecting about 0.95 cm from the nozzle end face. The lip is faired with a 45.degree. conical angle from the nozzle face. A smooth transition of recirculated gas flow across the nozzle face into the reactive material discharge column is believed to promote an attached static or laminar flowing boundary layer of cooled gas that insulates the nozzle face, to a degree, from the emissive heat of the combustion reaction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an aerosol hair spray formulation containing 0.5 to 15 weight percent of a water-dispersible or water-dissipatible, linear sulfopolyester having a Tg of 40.degree. C. to 50.degree. C. and an inherent viscosity of 0.24 to 0.60 dl/g which contains repeat units from 20 to 26 mole percent dimethyl-5-sodiosulfoisophthalate and 74 to 80 mole percent isophthalic acid, based on 100 mole percent dicarboxylic acid; 10 to 30 mole percent 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol and 70 to 90 percent diethylene glycol, based on 100 mole percent diol; and up to 60 weight percent of an alcohol. The aerosol hair spray formulations are clear, have improved dry time and curl retention, and exhibit less than 20 NTU's, which is a measure of turbidity, even at high concentrations of alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed is an essentially odorless water dissipatable or dispersible adhesive composition that is useful in forming paper articles and other products that can be recycled through repulping in both neutral and alkaline media. The water dispersible adhesive composition is preferably a hot melt adhesive that is a low molecular weight, branched copolyester containing a sulfomonomer. The copolyester adhesive composition can be used neat or formulated and exhibits broad compatibility with a variety of adhesive additives, including non polar tackifiers.

Abstract: This invention provides waterborne polymer compositions stabilized against gelling due to the addition of a poly(alkylenimine) by addition of nonionic surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of at least about 17.5. The waterborne polymer compositions of the invention are useful in a variety of coating formulations such as, for example, paints, inks, sealants, textile backcoatings, adhesives and the like. Methods of making stable waterborne polymer compositions are also disclosed.