Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: The effectiveness of secondary and tertiary methods for recovering petroleum from a petroleum-bearing formations is enhanced by introducing into said formation a safe form of carbon disulfide comprising one or more salts of tri- and tetrathiocarbonic acid.

Abstract: Permanently flexible and non-tacky coating mastic and caulking compositions contain one or more polymers having a T.sub.g of about -50.degree. C. to about -10.degree. C. and pendant functional groups attached to the polymer backbone of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical at least 3 atoms in length, and X is organoacyl or cyano. The mastics and caulks typically have total non-volatile matter concentrations of about 60 to about 90 weight percent of which about 15 to about 75 weight percent comprises the described polymers and about 25 to about 85 weight percent is non-volatile solid matter other than the polymer such as pigments, fillers, etc.

Abstract: L-(d)-lactic acid, the dextrorotatory isomer of lactic acid, is an effective plant growth regulant which exhibits classical growth regulant activity at very low concentrations and dosage rates. It can be employed to beneficially stimulate the growth of all plant varieties and is particularly useful for stimulating the growth of commercial crops. Thus, L-lactic acid can be employed to stimulate the growth of desired plants and to stimulate the fruit production of fruit-bearing plants. Novel compositions which comprise mixtures of L-(d)-lactic acid and one or more preservatives which are sufficient to prevent the hydrolytic and/or bacterial decomposition of the active isomer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Methods for controlling vegetation are disclosed which involve contacting the foliage of the vegetation with an aqueous solution containing urea and sulfuric acid. The molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid preferably is within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present in the solution as the monourea-sulfuric acid adduct. Methods for the selective control of undesired vegetation is seeded areas or in the presence of desired crop plants, nonselective methods of vegetation control involving the use of surfactant-containing solutions, and solid compositions suitable for producing the described aqueous solutions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Extended polymer compositions are provided which comprise polymers containing pendant functional groups of the formula: ##STR1## extended, i.e. admixed with a chalcogenide having the empirical formula ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical at least 3 atoms in length, X is organoacyl or cyano, A is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.11 R.sub.12, NR.sub.13 and monovalent organic radicals, at least one of R.sub.9 and R.sub.10 being NR.sub.11 R.sub.12 or NR.sub.13, each of R.sub.11 and R.sub.12 is independently selected from hydrogen and monovalent organic radicals, and R.sub.13 is a divalent organic radical. These compositions can be extended with significant proportions of the described chalcogenides with corresponding reductions in polymer concentration without significant loss of physical properties. The resulting combinations are particularly useful as binders and coatings.

Abstract: Aqueous thiocarbonate solutions are stabilized by the addition of base, sulfide and/or polysulfide, and the stability and safety of the more concentrated solutions containing 1 weight percent or more equivalent CS.sub.2 as a thiocarbonate are achieved as reflected by significant reduction of CS.sub.2 partial pressure in such solutions.

Abstract: Encapsulating particles of solid thiocarbonate salts, esters and complexes with air- and water-impermiable coatings produces compositions having long-term stability.

Abstract: Certain urea-sulfuric acid components, comprised of urea and sulfuric acid in a 1/4 to 7/4 molar ratio, contain a monourea adduct of sulfuric acid, which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. The invention provides methods employing such urea-sulfuric acid components for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerization (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, hydrolysis. Novel catalysts are disclosed which involve combinations of the urea-sulfuric component with one or more transition metal halides and/or with one or more surfactants. The surfactant-containing compositions are particularly useful for the treatment of materials containing lipophilic substances.

Abstract: Methods for controlling vegetation are disclosed which involve contacting the foliage of the vegetation with an aqueous solution containing urea and sulfuric acid. The molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid preferably is within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present in the solution as the monourea-sulfuric acid adduct. Methods for the selective control of undesired vegetation in seeded areas or in the presence of desired crop plants, nonselective methods of vegetation control involving the use of surfactant-containing solutions, and solid compositions suitable for producing the described aqueous solutions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to the fumigation of soils, enclosed spaces, agricultural products and other commodities, etc., using compositions which decompose to form carbon disulfide and certain other biocidal materials. Such fumigation can be used to control bacteria, fungi, insects, nematodes, rodents, nitrification, and weeds.Fumigant compositions are described herein as "thiocarbonates," including, without limitation, salts of trithiocarbonic acid and tetrathiocarbonic acid, compositions having empirical formulae intermediate to these acids salts (such as MCS.sub.3.7, wherein M is a divalent metal ion), and compositions containing substances in addition to thiocarbonates, such as a stabilized ammonium tetrathiocarbonate which contains ammonium sulfide, i.e., (NH.sub.4).sub.2 CS.sub.4 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.The compositions are generally water soluble and can be prepared, stored, and used in aqueous solutions.

Abstract: Fumigation to control bacteria, fungi, insects, rodents, nematodes and weeds is accomplished by decomposing a compound represented by the formulaMCS.sub.xwherein M is selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal cations and X varies from 3 to 4, to yield carbon disulfide.This invention also provides a composition useful for fumigating soil and providing plant nutrients, which composition comprises the above compound (or an alkali metal thiocarbonate) in combination with a source of nitrogen, e.g. urea, ammonium nitrate, etc.Calcium thiocarbonates, i.e., CaCS.sub.3 and CaCS.sub.4 are claimed as novel compounds.

Abstract: Herbicidal compositions having systemic herbicidal activity comprise solutions containing one or more systemic herbicides and an amount of an amide and sulfuric acid of the following formula sufficient to accentuate the activity of the systemic herbicide: ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, and each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 is independently selected from hydrogen and organic radicals. As used herein, "amide" encompasses all compounds of formula (1) regardless of the chalcogen employed. The molar ratio of amide to sulfuric acid is usually within the range of about 1/4 to less than 2 so that at least some of the sulfuric acid is present as the monoamide-sulfuric acid adduct. The monoamide adduct also acts as a contact herbicide and thereby assists in the immediate control of treated vegetation. Solid compositions comprising combinations of systemic herbicides, sulfuric acid and the useful amides, with and without surfactants, and methods of using the solutions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Acid-soluble and/or hydrolyzable obstructions are removed from conduits by contacting such obstructions with a composition containing the reaction product of sulfuric acid and a chalcogen-containing compound having the empirical formula R.sub.1 -- CX -- R.sub.2 wherein X is a chalcogen, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently chosen from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 or NR.sub.5, with at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 being other than hydrogen, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently chosen from hydrogen or monovalent organic radicals, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Preferably, the molar ratio of the chalcogen-containing compound to sulfuric acid is about 1/4 or more. Compositions particularly useful for removing deposits containing hydrolyzable constituents have chalcogen compound/sulfuric acid molar ratios less than 2. The compositions may optionally contain other components such as surfactants and/or non-aqueous polar solvents which accentuate their activity toward hydrophobic materials.

Abstract: Vanadium is selectively recovered from vanadium-containing phosphoric acid solutions also containing metals other than vanadium by selectively converting the dissolved vanadium to a vanadate compound insoluble in the phosphoric acid solution and separating the resulting insoluble vanadate compound, free of other metal compounds, from the phosphoric acid solution. The dissolved vanadium can be converted to an insoluble vanadate by reaction with oxidants and/or cations which form phosphoric acid-insoluble vanadates. These methods can be employed to selectively recover vanadium from phosphoric acid solutions containing other metals. They also can be employed to recover vanadium compounds from ores, scrap metal, and other vanadium sources by dissolving the vanadium from the vanadium source in phosphoric acid and recovering the vanadium as an insoluble compound from the phosphoric acid as described.

Abstract: Textile materials having improved physical properties comprise woven and/or non-woven fiber assemblies, the fibers of which are bound to a polymer composition containing polymerized carboxylic acid ester monomers and pendant functional groups attached to a polymer backbone and having the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 is a divalent organic radical at least 3 atoms in length, and X is organoacyl or cyano. Such polymers markedly increase wet and dry strengths and shape retention of textile materials, and they improve other physical properties without the necessity of employing formaldehyde-releasing monomers, such as the N-methylolamides, or cross-linking agents. Methods for producing such textile materials by applying solutions or dispersions of the described polymers to fiber assemblies are also provided. Aqueous dispersions of these polymers are particularly useful for the manufacture of loose-weaves, knits and non-wovens.

Abstract: Methods are provided for facilitating the harvest of food crops by applying to the crop foliage an amount of an aqueous solution containing a combination of urea and sulfuric acid in which the urea/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 sufficient to desiccate the foliage prior to harvest.

Abstract: A process and apparatus useful for preparing a porous, particulate sulfur by combining a coherent molten sulfur stream with a coherent water stream to provide an aqueous slurry of a porous, particulate sulfur having a uniform particle size distribution. In the process, a molten sulfur stream is passed through a substantially downwardly oriented, rectangular slot to provide a sheet of molten sulfur, and said sheet of molten sulfur is sheared by directing at least one sheet of water thereat, at a velocity and flow rate sufficient to disrupt said sheet of molten sulfur and provide solid sulfur particles having a substantially uniform size. The solid sulfur particles are recovered, as an aqueous slurry thereof, and separated from said slurry by substantially removing the water therefrom.