Abstract: Carboxydisulfosuccinates useful as detergent builders are novel compounds prepared by addition of CO.sub.2 to disulfosuccinate.

Abstract: A process for preparing nitroaromatic nitriles which comprises reacting an aromatic carbocyclic nitrile with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid at a temperature of at least 35.degree.C and an acids-to-nitrile mol ratio of at least 3.5:1 and a nitric acid-to-nitrile mol ratio of at least 1:1.

Abstract: Carboxydisulfosuccinates useful as detergent builders are novel compounds prepared by addition of CO.sub.2 to disulfosuccinate.

Abstract: A process for producing an alkoxyacetic acid which comprises contacting carbon monoxide with formaldehyde, an alcohol, water, and a catalyst comprising hydrogen fluoride in a reaction zone and under reaction conditions effective to form an alkoxyacetic acid including a temperature between 0.degree.C and 100.degree.C and a carbon monoxide partial pressure between 10 and 4000 psig. By using an excess of alcohol or omitting water, alkyl alkoxy ester, i.e., alkyl alkoxyacetate, can be produced.Also, alkyl alkoxyacetate can be produced from dialkoxymethane by reaction of dialkoxymethane with carbon monoxide using hydrogen fluoride as a catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid which comprises contacting carbon monoxide with a saturated C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 aldehyde, water, and a catalyst comprising hydrogen fluoride in a reaction zone and under conditions effective to form an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid, including a temperature between 0.degree.C and 100.degree.C and a carbon monoxide partial pressure between 10 and 4000 psig.An alpha-alkoxy acid can be produced in the above reaction by using an alcohol instead of water.

Abstract: In an improved method for the treatment of a permeable formation or zone adjacent to the bore of an oil well, the setting time of an acid-settable liquid is predictably delayed by use of a novel catalyst system. The method provides an effective means for controlling the reduction of the permeability of the formation or zone in a single stage treatment by dissolving the catalyst in the liquid and introducing the solution into the formation. The catalyst system comprises a mixture of a suitable acid-releasing compound and a base.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofurans are produced by the codimerization of an alkene oxide with an alkene in the presence of catalytic amounts of a Group VIII noble transition metal compound and an iodide promoter.