Abstract: A method for pretreatment of a palladium-gold catalyst useful in the synthesis of vinyl acetate. A virgin catalyst, following reduction to the metallic palladium and gold, is first heated at elevated temperatures in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as air. The oxidizing agent is withdrawn and an inert gas such as nitrogen is introduced. The catalyst is heated against at a temperature up to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a reducing agent such as hydrogen or ethylene. Improvement in selectivity and yield are obtained.

Abstract: An improved system and method for effectively controlling the operation of a continuous mixer/melter having an adjustable exit opening and connected to a melt pump is provided. The melt pump, which is preferably a gear pump, is operatively connected to an extruder/pelletizer. Operation of the gear pump is controlled in proportional relation to the energy requirements of the mixer/melter motor, the energy applied to adjust and maintain the exit opening of the mixer/melter, and the suction pressure measured at the interface between the mixer/melter and the gear pump. A microprocessor unit which receives and processes the input signals, calculates the energy requirements of the gear pump motor and compares these requirements with the actual torque, makes the necessary adjustments to the gear pump.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved flame retardant crosslinkable compositions useful as insulation coatings for wire and cable based on ethylene-vinyl ester and ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers. The compositions contain a hydrated inorganic filler, an alkoxysilane, an antioxidant and a hydrocarbon processing oil. Organic peroxides are preferably employed to facilitate crosslinking. A method for providing the improved flame retardant crosslinkable compositions and electrical conductors coated therewith are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitor as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. the sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: An improved system and method for effectively controlling the operation of a continuous mixer/melter having an adjustable exit opening and connected to a melt pump is provided. The melt pump, which is preferably a gear pump, is operatively connected to an extruder/pelletizer. Operation of the gear pump is controlled in proportional relation to the energy requirements of the mixer/melter motor, the energy applied to adjust and maintain the exit opening of the mixer/melter, and the suction pressure measured at the interface between the mixer/melter and the gear pump. A microprocessor unit which receives and processes the input signals, calculates the energy requirements of the gear pump motor and compares these requirements with the actual torque, makes the necessary adjustments to the gear pump.

Abstract: A process for making dihydrocarbyl carbonates is disclosed. In this process an alcohol having the structural formula R-OH, where R is alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl, is reacted with oxygen and carbon monoxide in the presence of a heterogeneous copper-containing, halogen-free catalyst.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a catalyst comprising the reaction product of:(a) a silicon-containing compound having the structural formula R.sub.4--n SiX.sub.n --where R is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl; X is halogen; and n is an integer of 1 to 4;(b) a magnesiumdialkyl having the structural formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 Mg, where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and are C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkyl;(c) an alcohol having the structural formula R.sup.3 OH, where R.sup.3 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 hydrocarbyl;(d) a halide-containing metal compound, said metal selected from the group consisting of titanium, zirconium and vanadium;(e) an aluminum alkoxide having the structural formual Al(OR.sup.5).sub.3, where R.sup.5 is C.sub.2 -C.sub.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A new catalyst component useful in the polymerization of at least one olefin is disclosed. The catalyst component comprises the product obtained by contracting silica, in random order, with (1) at least one hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound; and (2) a first modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides and mixtures thereof followed by a second modifying compound selected from the group consisting of halides having the structural formula SiH.sub.r X.sup.2.sub.s, where X.sup.2 is halogen; r is an integer of 1 to 3; and s is an integer of 1 to 3 with the proviso that the sum of r and s is 4, a hydrogen halide and mixtures thereof. The product of this step is contacted with a titanium-containing compound having the structural formula TiX.sup.1.sub.p (OR.sup.1).sub.q, where X.sup.1 is halogen; R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a silica supported magnesium-containing catalytic precursor of reduced SiOH content for reaction with a titanium halide to form a catalyst for the production of a stereospecific alpha olefin polymer characterized in that prior to reacting with titanium halide the magnesium-containing silica is reacted with at least one titanium compound having the formula Ti(R).sub.n X.sub.m or Ti(OR).sub.n X.sub.m where R is aryl, alkyl, alkaryl, or mixtures thereof; X is halogen; n is an integer of 1 to 4, and m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3 with the provision that the sum of n and m is 4. It also relates to preparing the catalyst from the precursor.

Abstract: A process for converting polyketones to polyesters is provided. The process involves reacting a polyketone, such as an ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer or terpolymer with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of a Lewis acid and a C.sub.1-4 aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to convert a portion of the carbonyl functionality to oxycarbonyl groups.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitol as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. The sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A catalyst useful in the polymerization of olefins is disclosed. The catalyst is produced by initially treating an inert inorganic compound to remove surface hydroxy groups. The thus treated inorganic compound is contacted with a hydrocarbon soluble magnesium compound in a second step. The product of this second step is contacted with a modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides, alkyl silicon halides, hexaalkyl disilazanes and mixtures thereof in a third step. The product of this third step is contacted a vanadium compound having the structured formula V(O).sub.s X.sup.1.sub.4-s, where X.sup.1 is halogen; and s is 0 or 1, a first titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR.sup.2).sub.n X.sup.2 m, where R.sup.2 is hydrocarbyl; X.sup.

Abstract: A process for making a propylene polymer which comprises polymerizing propylene under propylene polymerization conditions in the presence of a catalyst system which includes a catalyst component comprising (I) the product obtained by (a) treating silica to remove surface hydroxyl groups; (b) contacting said treated silica with (1) a modifying compound selected from the group consisting of silicon halides, boron halides, aluminum halides, alkyl silicon halides and mixtures thereof; and (2) at least one hydrocarbon soluble magnesium-containing compound; (c) contacting the product of step (b) with at least one titanium-containing compound having the structural formula Ti(OR).sub.n X.sub.m, where R is aryl, alkyl or mixtures thereof; X is halogen; n is an integer of 1 to 4; m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 3; and the sum of m and n is 4; and (d) treating the product of step (c) with a titanium-containing compound having the structural formula TiX.sup.1.sub.p (OR.sup.1).sub.q, where X.sup.1 is halogen; R.sup.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and its acetals which comprises reacting under anhydrous conditions acrolein or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula R OH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier and a promoting effective amount of hydrogen halide. An intermediate in the process, i.e., .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or acetal thereof can also be used in forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and acetals thereof by reacting under anhydrous conditions said .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier.

Abstract: Improved mixed chromium catalysts useful in particle form polymerizations to produce readily processable high density polyolefin resins which also have high resistance to environmental stress cracking are provided. First and second chromium-containing catalyst components obtained using silica supports of different pore volumes and wherein one of the catalyst components also contains aluminum are employed for the preparation of the mixed catalysts. The polymerization process and products obtained using the above-described mixed catalysts are also described.

Abstract: Methyl 4-oxobutyrate and its methanol addition products, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate and gamma-methoxy-gamma-butyrolactone, which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of such industrially important compounds as gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and glutamic acid, are produced from the reaction of acrolein, carbon monoxide and methanol in the presence of a catalyst system which consists of (a) a Group VIII metal component selected from palladium metal or a palladium-containing composition which generates palladium metal under reaction conditions, (b) a hydrogen halide and (c) an arylarsine catalyst copromoter.

Abstract: Crystalline platinum or palladium aluminosilicates are prepared by incorporating platinum or palladium onto the aluminosilicate and mixing with a methanol synthesis catalyst. Conversion of synthesis gas to low molecular weight hydrocarbons, particularly C.sub.2+3 hydrocarbons, with substantial yield and high selectivity employing these platinum or palladium aluminosilicate compositions as catalysts are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for converting the pendant keto groups of ketonic polymers to ester groups is provided. The process involves reacting the polymer with an organic peroxyacid oxodizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert substantially all or only a portion of the pendant carbonyl functionality to oxycarbonyl moieties. Homopolymers or copolymers of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ketones, such as methyl vinyl ketone and ethyl vinyl ketone, are readily modified with the process of this invention.