Abstract: This invention describes a process for preparing polyamides comprising contacting a dinitrile, a diamine and water in the presence of a dicarboxylic acid. In one embodiment, nylon-6,6 is prepared by contacting adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine and water in the presence of adipic acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is the dimerization of acrylonitrile to .alpha.-methyleneglutaronitrile using certain metal aryl sulfinate and selenate catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is the reaction acrolein or methacrolein with a mono- or dihydroxyalkane to produce a 3-alkoxypropionaldehyde or a 3-(hydroxyalkoxy)propionaldehyde in the case of acrolein; or to produce a 3-alkoxy-2-methylpropionaldehyde or a 3-(hydroxyalkoxy)-2-methylpropionaldehyde in the case of methacrolein, by contacting a mixture of the recited reactants with a particulate solid metallic catalyst comprising an alloy of palladium and cadmium.

Abstract: Certain catalysts containing iron, bismuth and molybdenum plus nickel, cobalt, manganese, magnesium, zinc, cadmium or calcium have been found to give especially large volumes of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile in a given time when germanium, tin, copper, silver, chromium, ruthenium, titanium, tungsten and/or beryllium are incorporated into the catalyst.

Abstract: The process for manufacturing a spinnable polyamide from a dinitrile, a diamine, water and a catalyst is improved by using as a catalyst a metal salt of an oxygenated phosphorus compound. For example, high quality nylon-6,6 is manufactured by contacting adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, water and disodium phosphite at an elevated temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbonyl sulfide are produced by a process comprising contracting gaseous hydrogen sulfide with gaseous carbon monoxide in the presence of a heteropolymolybdate or tungstate complex. Use of these catalysts reduce the amount of by-product carbon dioxide and methane formation and thus enhance the make of hydrogen and carbonyl sulfide.

Abstract: Promoted bismuth rare earth molybdenum oxide complexes are excellent catalysts for the ammoxidation of methanol to HCN especially at high methanol throughputs at contact times appropriate for fluid-bed operation.

Abstract: Ethylene is polymerized by a catalyst system comprised of a transition metal complex consisting of at least one binucleating ligand attached to at least one transition metal containing nucleus; and an organometallic cocatalyst containing at least one element of Group IA, IIA or Group IIIA.

Abstract: A process for modifying certain polyamides by use of a novel combination of an organic sulfone and a lithium halide as a processing aid to yield a modified polymer having thermal stability and a lowered melting point (lower than unmodified polymer).

Abstract: Oxide complex catalysts of iron, selenium and tellurium provide good yields of acrylonitrile in the ammoxidation of propylene with high selectivities at low temperature.

Abstract: A process for conducting a combination of fixed and fluid-bed catalytic reactions is achieved by employing fixed-bed catalysts on supports within the fluid bed. The fluid-bed catalysts may move in both directions through the fixed bed, thereby giving advantages of both types of beds in one reactor.

Abstract: Vanadium phosphorus mixed oxide containing catalysts are prepared by sequentially forming an alpha-VOPO.sub.4 catalyst precursor in aqueous media, and thereafter partially reducing a portion of the vanadium to a valence state of +4 in an organic liquid reducing media, in the absence of corrosive reducing agents. The catalysts exhibit excellent activity for the production of maleic anhydride from 4 carbon atom hydrocarbons such as n-butane.

Abstract: Polyamides can be formed in good yields by the copolymerization of at least one alpha, beta-unsaturated nitrile with at least one amino acid. These polymers are suitable for use as fibers, plastics, films and molding resins.

Abstract: A polyamide is produced by polymerizing at least one of alpha, beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, an ammonium salt of an alpha, beta unsaturated carboxylic acid, an alpha, beta unsaturated nitrile and water, a beta-amino propionic acid or alkyl derivative thereof and an alpha, beta unsaturated amide and ammonia in the presence of a catalyst containing cobalt. Preferred catalysts comprise cobaltous carboxylates and cobaltic salts of the enol of beta-di-ketones.

Abstract: Vanadium phosphorus mixed oxide containing catalysts are prepared in an organic liquid reaction medium with heating wherein at least 1.5 moles organic liquid are removed from the reaction medium such as by distillation for each mole of vanadium which is reduced or reacted during such reaction and/or reduction. The resulting catalysts are useful for the production of maleic anhydride from 4 carbon atom hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Polyamides containing as much as 50 mole percent nylon-3 units in at least a partially alternating system and exhibiting high glass transition temperatures (Tg) can be prepared from N,N'-terephthaloyldi-beta-alanine and a diamine, such as bis(p-aminocyclohexyl)methane. Properties of such polyamides can be controlled by choice of the diamine and the preparation temperature without loss of the high Tg. The polyamides of this invention exhibit utility in comfort fiber applications.

Abstract: Acrylonitrile is catalytically dimerized using a catalyst comprising a polymer support and a ruthenium complex bonded thereto.

Abstract: Catalysts containing iron, molybdenum, bismuth and nickel, cobalt, magnesium, zinc, cadmium, calcium or beryllium have been found to give especially large volumes of acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile in a given time when manganese, antimony, thorium, zirconium, yttrium or mixtures thereof are incorporated into the catalyst.

Abstract: A process is described for the recovery and purification of an olefinic nitrile, such as methacrylonitrile, from mixtures of said olefinic nitrile with hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile, acrylonitrile, and carbonyl compounds, which result from the ammoxidation of an olefin, such as isobutylene. The mixtures of olefinic nitrile are fed to an extractive distillation column at a point above the middle of the column, a vapor sidestream is removed at a point below the middle of the extractive distillation column said sidestream containing substantially all of the hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile and carbonyl compounds and then concentrating the hydrogen cyanide, acetonitrile and carbonyl compounds in a stripping pot.

Abstract: Allylbenzene is converted to indene by means of a tungsten-containing catalyst.