Abstract: Heteropolysaccharide biopolymers well adopted as thickening agents are improvedly produced by microbially fermenting a carbohydrate nutrient medium, said nutrient medium comprising an oil-in-water emulsion of a discontinuous oily phase dispersed within a continuous aqueous phase.

Abstract: Preparing a novel cerium (IV) compound, well adopted for the production of aqueous colloidal sols therefrom, has the general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein M is an alkali metal or a quaternary ammonium radical; t ranges from 0.1 to 0.3; n is 0 or 1; x ranges from 0.1 to 0.7; y is a number such that y=4+t-x-z; and z ranges from 0.3 to 0.6.

Abstract: A hydroquinone monocarboxylate, e.g., hydroquinone monoacetate, is facilely prepared by disproportionating/reacting a stoichiometric excess of a hydroquinone dicarboxylate, e.g., hydroquinone diacetate, with hydroquinone, optionally in the presence of a strong acid/transesterification catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids. An organic halide is reacted with carbon monoxide and a hydrogen donor compound, in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst and an inorganic base, at a temperature of at least 90.degree. C.

Abstract: Aqueous saline solutions of ordered heteropolysaccharides useful, e.g., as displacement fluids in the secondary or tertiary recovery of crude oil from subterranean formations thereof, are stabilized against viscosity loss over temperature and time without adversely affecting the filterability thereof, by purging dissolved oxygen therefrom by degassing same with carbon dioxide, and then treating the degassed solutions with an effective amount of a reducng/deoxidizing agent as to maintain the pH thereof at a value ranging from 5 to 7.

Abstract: Stable amphoteric aqueous dispersions of synthetic polymers obtained by reacting at least one unsaturated nitrogen compound capable of being hydrolyzed in an acid or alkaline medium with an aqueous emulsion reaction mixture, containing cationic species, of at least one non-ionic monomer capable of being copolymerized with the nitrogen compound to form synthetic polymers and at least one substance which generates cationic species capable of chemically binding with the synthetic polymers.

Abstract: Inert organic solvent solutions of polyisocyanates, well adopted as coating compositions, are storage-stabilized, e.g., against the formation of precipitates, by incorporating therein an effective amount of at least one organostannic compound which is soluble in the organic solvent.

Abstract: Novel, heat-stable imido polymers, well adopted, e.g., as coating or molding resins, comprise the polymerizates of (a) at least one N,N'-bismaleimide, (b) at least one diprimary diamine, and (c) at least one N-(meth)-allyloxyphenylmaleimide.

Abstract: A fine powder of neodymium titanate or barium neodymium titanate, a process for its preparation and applications in ceramic compositions. A suspension of particles is formed by mixing a solution of neodymium nitrate or a solution of barium and neodymium nitrates with a sol of titania having a pH of from about 0.8 to 2.5 which contains elementary crystallites of TiO.sub.2 having a size of from about 10 to about 100 .ANG. in diameter which are agglomerated into submicron masses of from about 200 to about 1,000 .ANG. in diameter. The suspension obtained is dried, and the dried product is calcined at a temperature between 800.degree. C. and 1,300.degree. C., preferably for about 1 to 24 hours. If necessary, the powder obtained is milled. The fine powder obtained has a low fritting temperature and its density after heating for 2 hours at 1,300.degree. C. is greater than or equal to 95% of the theoretical density of the desired titanate powder.

Abstract: Crosslinkable polymers having about 1 to 100% of units derived from an unsaturated ester of furoic acid of the formula: ##STR1## where R denotes hydrogen or an alkyl group, R' denotes a straight-chain or branched alkylene group and n denotes an integer from 1 to 4, and 0 to about 99% of units from an unsaturated monomer which is copolymerizable with the ester. The crosslinkable polymers may be in the form of latices. The crosslinkable polymers are prepared by polymerization of the unsaturated ester of furoic acid and, if appropriate, an unsaturated comonomer, in aqueous emulsion. The polymers and latices can be used in the manufacture of coatings.

Abstract: A protective product for treating fresh concrete or mortar. The products are a mixture of (a) an aqueous dispersion A of a film-forming synthetic polymer (the synthetic polymer is compatible with fresh concrete or mortar) having little or no permeability to water vapor with (b) at least one coagulant for the film-forming synthetic polymer when in the presence of calcium ions. The coagulant is introduced in the form of an aqueous or aqueous alcoholic solution and/or by means of an aqueous wax emulsion and/or by means of an aqueous dispersion B of a synthetic polymer which is slightly permeable or impermeable to water. The aqueous dispersion B is prepared by polymerization in the presence of the coagulant. When applied by spraying to the surface of fresh mortar, the products form a continuous waterproof film, which is readily removed by peeling.

Abstract: Dimethyldichlorosilane is selectively and efficiently prepared by reacting methyl chloride with a solid contact mass comprising silicon and a catalytically effective amount of copper or a copper compound, said copper catalyst comprising (i) from about 10 to 1000 ppm of tin, antimony, or admixture thereof, or of a tin or antimony compound, or admixture thereof, (ii) from about 0.01 to 2% by weight of at least one of the metallic additives barium and strontium, or compound thereof, and, optionally, (iii) from about 0.01 to 3% by weight of zinc or a zinc compound.

Abstract: Storage-stable, discrete free-flowing flakes of a hydrophilic or water-soluble polymer gel, such flakes comprising a thin adherent film coating of a processing aid powder, are facilely produced by comminuting a larger shaped article of said polymer gel, e.g., a block, sheet, strip or layer thereof, in the presence of said processing aid powder, and said powder being present during comminution in an amount in excess of that required for otherwise complete coating of the flakes which result.

Abstract: Silane, well adopted as a source of semiconductor/photovoltaic grade silicon, is facilely prepared from methyldichlorosilane and trichlorosilane and/or tetrachlorosilane by, (A) in a first step catalytically redistributing methyldichlorosilane with trichlorosilane or tetrachlorosilane, or admixture thereof, to form methyltrichlorosilane and dichlorosilane, and separating dichlorosilane from the resulting reaction medium, and (B) in a second step, catalytically disproportionating the dichlorosilane thus separated to form silane and trichlorosilane, and thence recovering silane thus formed and optionally recycling trichlorosilane to said step (A).

Abstract: Novel block copolyetheramides which are homogeneous and flexible at low temperatures and have melting or softening points of at least 170.degree. C., glass transition temperatures of at most -5.degree. C. and viscosities in the molten state of at least 500 poises, are facilely prepared by copolymerizing (I) admixture of a lactam having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms with a solution of a salt of a fatty acid dimer and a polyoxyalkylenediamine in a solvent medium comprising (i) a mixture of water and an aliphatic alcohol having less than 5 carbon atoms, (ii) a water/alcohol/lactam mixture, (iii) a lactam in molten state or (iv) a water/lactam mixture wherein the lactam is water soluble, the stoichiometry of said salt being adjusted such that the pH thereof is within .+-.0.05 pH units of its equivalence point and (II) a minor amount of a strong inorganic oxyacid or a strong organic oxyacid other than a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Alkali or alkaline earth metal cobalttetracarbonylates well suited for catalyzing carbonylation reactions, e.g., the carbonylation of organic compounds comprising halomethyl functions, are facilely prepared by reacting a cobalt (II) compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of (i) an inorganic base which comprises an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide or an alkali or alkaline earth metal bicarbonate and (ii) at least one sulfur compound having at least one sulfur atom, the oxidation state of which being no greater than +3, and in a reaction medium comprising water, an alcohol, an ether, or admixture of water and an alcohol or an ether.

Abstract: The polyamides are fireproofed and, e.g., phosphine-inhibited, by formulating red phosphorus and at least one lanthanide or yttrium compound therewith.

Abstract: Aqueous dispersions containing a mixture of 20 to 80% by weight of a latex of a copolymer A of butadiene, styrene and at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid, and 80 to 20% by weight of latex of a copolymer B of styrene, an alkyl acrylate and, if appropriate, at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid. The dispersions can be used as binders for the preparation of adhesive compositions suitable for joining or gluing two or more elements, and particularly suitable when at least one of the elements consists of a material which is difficult to glue, such as polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: Essentially pure silane, SiH.sub.

Abstract: A process for the acylation of halo- or trihalomethylbenzenes, wherein a halo- or trihalomethylbenzene is reacted with a carboxylic acid, a precursor or a derivative thereof in the presence of boron trifluoride in an amount such that the absolute pressure of the boron trifluoride within the reaction vessel exceeds 1 bar, and in the presence of hydrofluoric acid as a solvent. The resultant products are useful as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds having a phytosanitary (e.g., herbicidal) or pharmaceutical activity.