Abstract: A method of manufacturing a polyurethane compound comprises mixing together a polyol, a polyisocyanate compound and a catalyst and allowing the mixture to cure to form a polyurethane, and is characterized in that the catalyst is a neutral complex of a metal selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Al, Fe, Bi or Sn and a multidentate organic ligand having: a) a number of anionic donor sites=x; b) a number of neutral donor sites, capable of forming a co-ordinate bond with the metal, =y; c) where x+y=from 5 to 8; d) x is from 2 to 4; e) the ligand molecule is of a size and conformation to enable each of the anionic donor sites and neutral donor sites to form a bond with the same metal atom.

Abstract: The invention comprises an adhesion promoter for a printing ink and a printing ink comprising the adhesion promoter. The adhesion promoter comprises the product of reacting together (a) a solution of a polymer or synthetic resin (b) a sulphonic acid or a derivative of a sulphonic acid, and (c) a metal compound selected from one or more of the group consisting of a metal halide, metal alkoxide, metal halo-alkoxide or a condensed metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is selected from titanium or zirconium.

Abstract: The invention comprises a catalyst compound of formula Zr(L)(A1)(A2)(A3) where L represents a ketoamide ligand, A1, A2 & A3 may be the same or different and each represent a ligand derived from a compound selected from the group consisting of:—an alcohol, a polyol, an alkyl acetoacetate, a diketone, a ketoamide, a carboxylic acid or ester thereof, an alkanolamine, a phosphoric acid ester and a sulphonic acid or ester thereof. The compound may be made by the reaction of a zirconium alkoxide or haloalkoxide with a ketoamide. The compound is useful as a catalyst for the reaction of a polyisocyanate with a hydroxyl-containing compound, e.g. for the manufacture of polyurethanes or composite cellulosic materials such as fibre-boards.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the molar ratio of base to 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.01-0.79:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminium, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the molar ratio of base to 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.01-0.79:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of a metal M, selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminum, or a lanthanide, an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid and a base, wherein the ratio of equivalents of base to —COOH acid equivalents of said 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid is in the range 0.0033-0.2:1. The composition is useful as a catalyst for esterification reactions, especially for the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods for improving the operational parameters in primary fractionators which are experiencing diminished operation efficiencies due to deposits of polymerized hydrocarbon species. The invention comprises the step of adding a foam reducing amount of a foam reducing composition at the primary fractionator. A reduction in foaming is achieved whereby the operational efficiency of the process is improved based upon operation parameters including, but not limited to, liquid-gas contact ratio, product top temperature, pressure differentials, gasoline end point or combinations thereof.