Abstract: Crystalline methionine is prepared from an alkali metal methioninate by continuously electrolyzing an aqueous solution of the said alkali metal methioninate and a support electrolyte in an intermediate compartment of a cell comprising an anode compartment, an intermediate compartment containing the said aqueous solution and separated from the anode compartment by a cationic membrane, and a cathode compartment separated from the intermediate compartment by a cationic membrane, so that the alkali metal ions of the said methioninate are replaced by hydrogen ions generated in the anode compartment and themselves migrate to the cathode compartment to form an alkali metal hydroxide therein, and recovering free crystalline methionine from the electrolyzed aqueous solution in the said intermediate compartment, and alkali metal hydroxide from the said cathode compartment.

Abstract: Flexible, homogeneous and transparent copolyamides comprise the polycondensation products of adipic acid, fatty acid dimer and hexamethylenediamine, the molar ratio of weight adipic acid to weight of total acid in each ranging from about 0.5 to 0.99, and that point obtained by plotting, along the abscissa, such molar fraction of adipic acid versus, along the ordinate, any individual copolyamide melting point, falling within that area A B C D outlined on the attached Figure of Drawing. The subject copolyamides are prepared either by polycondensing a homogenized prepolymer thereof, or by directly copolycondensing a homogeneous, inert solvent solution of monomers. The homogeneous and transparent copolyamides exhibit improved flexibility and high tenacity coupled with good resistance to hydrolysis and good heat resistance, with the copolyamides being useful for providing shaped articles such as moldings, films or filaments of marked uniformity via injection molding, extrusion or spinning.

Abstract: Tetramethylsilane/dimethyldichlorosilane admixtures are redistributed into trimethylchlorosilane by passing same, in vapor phase, through a reaction zone under mild temperatures and comprising a catalytic amount of anhydrous aluminum chloride granules. Preferably, the redistribution is conducted under atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Intimate contacting of plural, physically disparate phases, e.g., for the purification of waste waters typically comprising sulfide and polysulfide pollutants, is effected by (i) co-atomizing a first liquid stream which comprises solid waste progenitors together with a second fluid stream inter-reactive therewith, (ii) this co-atomization/reaction being made with and within an entraining stream of a third, gaseous phase.

Abstract: Pasty organopolysiloxane compositions are facilely injection-molded into elastomeric shaped articles at low pressures, at a temperature ranging from about 125.degree. C. to about 225.degree. C., and in a molding cycle of less than about 25 seconds, said pasty organopolysiloxane compositions comprising an intimate admixture of:(A.sub.1) 100 parts by weight of a diorganopolysiloxane oil having a viscosity of 500 to 300,000 mPa.s at 25.degree. C., consisting essentially of recurring units of the formula R.sub.2 SiO and blocked at each end of the chain by units of the formula R.sub.2 R'SiO.sub.0.5, in which formulae the symbols R, which are identical or different, represent hydrocarbon radicals which are unsubstituted or substituted by halogen atoms or cyano groups and which have 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and the symbol R' represents the same radicals as the symbols R and also a hydroxyl radical, an alkoxy radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a .beta.-methoxyethoxy radical;(B.sub.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids having the structural formula R.sup.1 COOH, wherein R.sup.1 is a linear, branched or cyclic chain alkyl radical of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl-C.sub.n H.sub.2n -radical wherein 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.6, are prepared by carbonylating an alcohol having the formula R.sup.1 -OH with carbon monoxide in liquid phase, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of nickel and an alkyl or acyl halide promoter therefor, at a temperature of at least about 120.degree. C. and under a total pressure of less than 200 bars, and said carbonylation being carried out in the presence of at least one vanadium compound in which the vanadium is in an oxidation state of 4 or 5, and in an initial carboxylic acid reaction medium having the formula R.sup.2 -COOH, wherein R.sup.2 is defined as was R.sup.1 above, and further wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different.

Abstract: Aluminum hydroxychloride compositions characterized by the presence of SO.sub.4.sup.-2 anions and at least one anion of selected organic acids are disclosed, as well as their particular utility in the treatment of soft water.

Abstract: Optionally aldehyde substituted polyphenols are prepared by oxidizing, with hydrogen peroxide, a hydroxybenzaldehyde bearing at least one aldehyde substituent ortho- and/or para- to the nuclear hydroxyl group, in an aqueous reaction medium and in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal base, the process being characterized in that the pH of the reaction medium is continuously maintained at a value no greater than 7 throughout the course of the oxidation reaction.The subject process is well suited for the preparation of, e.g., hydroxy-p-vanillin from guaiacol, and the novel compound 2,4,6-triformylphenol.

Abstract: Novel processes are provided for the embedding of microorganisms within a polymer matrix wherein the matrix comprises a polymer gel having a base of at least one polymer selected from the group of polysaccharides, in which said polymer is at least partially cross-linked. The embedded microorganism products are useful in the inoculation of leguminous and non-leguminous plants in order to increase their nitrogen-fixing potential and nutrition, respectively.

Abstract: Esters of .beta.,.gamma.-unsaturated carboxylic acids, e.g., penten-3-oates, are prepared by carbonylating a necessarily conjugated diene, e.g., butadiene, with carbon monoxide, in the presence of (i) an alcohol corresponding to the desired ester, (ii) a halogen hydracid, (iii) a palladium catalyst which comprises palladium metal, a palladium oxide, or a salt of palladium, or ionic complex thereof, the anion coordinated with the palladium cation of which being a hard or intermediate base, and (iv) a quaternary onium salt of elemental nitrogen, phosphorus or arsenic, said elemental nitrogen, phosphorus or arsenic being tetracoordinated with carbon atoms and the anion of said salt comprising a hard or intermediate base.

Abstract: Alkyl carboxylates are hydrocarbonylated and/or carbonylated with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in an aqueous medium, and in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst system comprising (i) ruthenium, (ii) cobalt, (iii) at least one iodine-containing promoter, and (iv) chromium. The subject hydrocarbonylation/carbonylation is admirably well suited, e.g., for the preparation of acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetic acid, especially from a methyl carboxylate.

Abstract: Organic esters, e.g., linear esters, including diesters, are prepared by carbonylating a monoolefin with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising cobalt, a tertiary amine base and ruthenium.

Abstract: Alkyl carboxylates are hydrocarbonylated and/or carbonylated with carbon monoxide and hydrogen, in an aqueous medium, and in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst system comprising (i) ruthenium, (ii) cobalt, (iii) at least one iodine-containing promoter, and (iv) vanadium. The subject hydrocarbonylation/carbonylation is admirably well suited, e.g., for the preparation of acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethyl acetate and acetic acid, especially from a methyl carboxylate.

Abstract: Novel polyoxaalkyl aminoalcohols, well adapted for the complexation/solubilization of a wide variety of cations, have the structural formula: ##STR1##

Abstract: Aqueous effluents containing organic substances and possibly inorganic salts, are burnt in an incinerator in which the injector for the said effluent is so arranged in relation to the burners that combustion is improved and molten salts are not deposited on the wall of the furnace.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids having the structural formula R.sup.1 COOH, wherein R.sup.1 is a linear, branched or cyclic chain alkyl radical of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or a phenyl-C.sub.n H.sub.2n -radical wherein 1.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.6, are prepared by carbonylating an alcohol having the formula R.sup.1 -OH with carbon monoxide in liquid phase, in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of nickel and an alkyl or acyl halide promoter therefor, at a temperature of at least about 120.degree. C. and under a total pressure of less than 200 bars, and said carbonylation being carried out in the presence of at least one lanthanide salt, and in an initial carboxylic acid reaction medium having the formula R.sup.2 -COOH, wherein R.sup.2 is defined as was R.sup.1 above, and further wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may be the same or different.

Abstract: New unsaturated fatty alcohols of the formula: ##STR1## in which n=2 or 4 are provided and are prepared by the novel process of reacting butadiene with water in the presence of a palladium salt and orthoboric acid, B(OH).sub.3, in a polar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: New 3-vinylcephalosporin derivatives of the general formula: ##STR1## in the form of a bicyclooct-2-ene or bicyclooct-3-ene, in which formula R.sub.5.sup.a and R.sub.5.sup.b are hydrogen atoms or alkyl radicals, or together form an alkyl radical containing 2 or 3 carbon atoms, R.sub.5.sup.c is an acid-protecting radical, R.sub.1 is an amino-protecting radical, R.sub.2 is an acid-protecting radical or a radical which can be removed by an enzymatic method, and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4, which are identical or different, represent alkyl (optionally substituted by hydroxyl, alkoxy, amino, alkylamino or dialkylamino) or phenyl, or together form, with the nitrogen atom, a saturated heterocyclic ring of 5 or 6 members, optionally containing another hetero-atom, their E and Z forms, and their syn and anti forms, and mixtures thereof, and also their preparation. These new compounds are useful as intermediates for the preparation of biologically active cephalosporins.

Abstract: New luminescent substances are disclosed. They have a monoclinic crystalline structure and are formed of a double borate of magnesium and rare earths having the general formula Ln.sub.1-x Tb.sub.x MgB.sub.5 O.sub.10 in which Ln represents at least one element selected from the group consisting of the lanthanides and yttrium and in which 0<x.ltoreq.1. The luminescent substances can be used in screens or tubes, for example, in low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamps and plasma panels.

Abstract: An elongate, rigid, tubular, biaxially oriented thermoplastic, hollow thin-walled shaped article is molded by (i) introducing into an elongate mold cavity, the internal configuration and dimensions thereof corresponding to the exterior surface area of the desired shaped article, and aligning along the longitudinal axis thereof, a hollow tubular thermoplastic preform heated to the biaxial orientation temperature of said thermoplastic; (ii) expanding under internal pressure said heated preform to simultaneously, both longitudinally and transversely, uniformly stretch same, at least to the natural biaxial drawing ratio thereof, but to a value in the transverse direction of less than 100% of that ultimately desired; (iii) next further expanding said heated preform, under increased internal pressure, completely against the internal walls of the mold cavity to thus completely shape said ultimately desired shaped article; and (iv) then cooling said desired shaped article and releasing all pressure therefrom.