Abstract: A process for the direct neutralization of N-acyl sarcosines wherein all raw materials and products are in the liquid state up to the final crystallization of the product. The N-acyl sarcosines are neutralized in a continuous or batch mode with caustic such as aqueous hydroxide at elevated temperatures to produce a molten, free flowing liquid, which can then be crystallized to solid product.

Abstract: Controlled release membranes are prepared from polyureaurethane polymer derived from prepolymer units at least 75% of which are oxyethylene-based diols or polyols having essentially all of the hydroxyl groups capped with polyisocyanate are disclosed. The membranes are characterized by their biocompatibility and resistance to nonspecific protein adsorption and are particuarly useful for delivery of proteinaceous materials in drug-delivery systems, i.e., wound dressings. Also disclosed are novel biocompatible, protein-nonadsorptive hydrated polymers and the method of producing the same.

Abstract: Synthesis of ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (ED3A) or its salts is disclosed. A salt of N,N'-ethylenediaminediacetic acid (ED2AH.sub.2) is condensed with formaldehyde to form a stable 5-membered ring intermediate. The addition of cyanide across this cyclic material forms ethylenediamine N,N'-diacetic acid-N'-cyanomethyl or salts thereof (mononitrile-diacid). The nitrile in aqueous solutions may be spontaneously cyclized to form 2-oxo-1,4-piperazinediacetic acid (3KP) or salts thereof, which is the desired cyclic intermediate. In the presence of excess base, salts of ED3A are formed in excellent yield and purity. Alternatively, the starting material is ED2AH.sub.a X.sub.b, where x is a base cation, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal, a is 1 to 2, and b is 0 to 1 in aqueous solutions. The reaction mixture also can be acidified to ensure complete formation of carboxymethyl-2-oxopiperazine (the lactam) prior to the reaction. Formaldehyde is added, essentially resulting in the hydroxymethyl derivative.

Abstract: Metal complexes having high bulk density and a process for the production of the same without the generation of heavy metal-contaminated effluents are disclosed. Solid complexes of EDTANaFe and EDTAKFe having high bulk densities are formed by reaction with mixed metal solutions containing low chromium levels, followed by total drying of the resulting mixture in the same processing equipment without the prior separation of the sulfate salts formed. The amounts of the various metals in any given formulation can be preselected.

Abstract: The synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.3-(x+y) wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; y is 1, 2 or 3; and wherein (x+y) is 1, 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether in the presence of a solvent to form a chlorinated reaction product of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z wherein z is 1, 2 or 3. The process may also be carried out in the presence of oxygen in order to inhibit the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3. The resulting compound(s) is then fluorinated with HF before or after separation, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.

Abstract: Facile process for the production of 3-mercaptopropionitrile and 3-mercaptopropionic acid by reacting thiodipropionitrile with alkaline hydrosulfide in the presence of alkaline hydroxide. Acidification of the resulting reaction product with a strong acid, or saponification, yields the desired mercaptopropionic acid, which can be isolated in high yield.

Abstract: A process for the non-aqueous neutralization of N-Acyl sarcosines. N-Acyl sarcosines are neutralized with anhydrous hydroxide or with hydroxide with low water content, ideally less than 20% water, using high shear. The process eliminates numerous stages previously required on route to a 100% active product. In addition, 30% solutions can be produced by the instant process, with the advantage of avoiding pH ranges at which gel phases or liquid crystals form.

Abstract: A process of stabilizing bleaching agents in a detergent composition using a nonphosphorus-containing biodegradable stabilizer. The process involves incorporating into a detergent composition containing a bleaching agent, a biodegradable compound of the formula ##STR1## in which m is NR' or sulfur; X is SO.sub.3 H or COOH; Y is hydrogen, SO.sub.3 H or COOH; R and R' are, independently, hydrogen, --CH(Z)CH.sub.2 (Z'), --CH(Z)CH(Z')(Z") or --CH.sub.2 COOH; and Z, Z' and Z" are, independently, hydrogen, OH, SO.sub.3 H or COOH; or a sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof, in an amount sufficient to stabilize the bleaching agent. Novel detergent compositions containing the biodegradable bleach stabilizers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Glycine and sodium sulfate decahydrate are separated from a starting aqueous solution containing glycine, sodium sulfate, and impurities, by forming a slurry which is a solid mixture of glycine and sodium sulfate decahydrate, followed by separation of the mixed crystals.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic detergent soap base, comprising dissolving in an n-acyl sarcosine at an elevated temperature a fatty acid, and neutralizing the mixture with a base at a temperature sufficient to maintain fluidity to a pH of from about 4.5 to about 9.5. The resulting product is non-irritating and non-drying, and exhibits apparent skin substantivity and pleasant skin feel.

Abstract: A novel process for synthesizing difluoromethyl methyl ether for use as regrigerants and blowing agents, etc. is hereby disclosed. This process involves (1) feeding chlorodifluoromethane at a rate from about 0.5 to 5 grams of feed gas per gram of solution per minute through a sodium methoxide in methanol or basic ion exchange slurry in methanol; (2) removing the gaseous product and the unreacted chlorodifluoromethane continuously; and (3) separating difluoromethyl ether from the unreacted chlorodifluoromethane.

Abstract: A process for preparing N-phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid wherein solutions of an alkali metal salt of IDA are reacted with formaldehyde so as to form the alkali metal salt of hydroxymethyliminodiacetic acid (HMIDA). The HMIDA can be subsequently reacted with a phosphorous source such as phosphorous acid to produce PMIDA in good yield.

Abstract: Hydrophilic polyurethane urea foams which are made without toxic, leachable additives are disclosed. High molecular weight, isocyanate-terminated, ethylene oxide-rich prepolymers are used in place of surfactants to make the foams.

Abstract: Novel N-acyl derivatives of ethylenediaminetriacetic acid are disclosed, as well as a process for preparing the same.

Abstract: The synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.3-(x+y) wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; y is 1, 2 or 3; and wherein (x+y) is 1, 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether in the presence of oxygen to form a chlorinated reaction product of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z wherein z is 1 or 2, and wherein the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3 is inhibited. The resulting compound(s) is then fluorinated with HF before or after separation, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.

Abstract: Fe(III) complexes having high bulk density and a process for the production of the same without the generation of heavy metal-contaminated effluents are disclosed. Solid complexes of EDTANaFe and EDTAKFe having high bulk densities are formed by reaction with ferric sulfate containing low chromium levels, followed by total drying of the resulting mixture in the same processing equipment without the prior separation of the sulfate salts formed.

Abstract: A degradable article comprising a polyurethane polymer gel or foam whose polymer structure contains hydrolytically unstable ester linkages and various additives. The article can be constructed so that some of the additives are released from the article at a sustained rate. In a preferred embodiment the additives are sensory stimulants for marine or aquatic organisms and the article is used as bait for those organisms. Such sensory stimulants can include high molecular weight thickeners, to impart a slippery texture.

Abstract: A degradable article comprising a polyurethane polymer gel or foam whose polymer structure contains hydrolytically unstable ester linkages and various additives. The article can be constructed so that some of the additives are released from the article at a sustained rate. In a preferred embodiment the additives are sensory stimulants for marine or aquatic organisms and the article is used as bait for those organisms.

Abstract: Synthesis of ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (ED3A) or its salts is disclosed. A salt of N,N'-ethylenediaminediacetic acid (ED2AH.sub.2) is condensed with formaldehyde to form a stable 5-membered ring intermediate. The addition of cyanide across this cyclic material forms ethylenediamine N,N'-diacetic acid-N'-cyanomethyl or salts thereof (mononitrile-diacid). The nitrile in aqueous solutions may be spontaneously cyclized to form 2-oxo-1,4-piperazinediacetic acid (3KP) or salts thereof, which is the desired cyclic intermediate. In the presence of excess base, salts of ED3A are formed in excellent yield and purity. Alternatively, the starting material is ED2AH.sub.a X.sub.b, where x is a base cation, e.g., an alkali or alkaline earth metal, a is 1 to 2, and b is 0 to 1 in aqueous solutions. The reaction mixture also can be acidified to ensure complete formation of carboxymethyl-2-oxopiperazine (the lactam) prior to the reaction. Formaldehyde is added, essentially resulting in the hydroxymethyl derivative.

Abstract: An analytical method for determining aluminum in amino acids such as glycine. A complex of aluminum and dihydroxyazobenzene is formed by reacting the amino acid solution with a mixture of dihydroxyazobenzene and acetonitrile in the presence of a buffer to obtain a pH of between about 7 and 8. The resulting complex is analyzed for aluminum by high performance liquid chromatography. Minimization of aluminum contamination is achieved by reducing the number of reagents used in the procedure.