Abstract: A composition comprising cement and nano-sized crystalline particles of boehmite alumina or nano-sized crystalline particles of boehmite alumina which have been modified by the inclusion of silicon oxide, calcium oxide, or magnesium oxide. The boehmite alumina has an average crystallite size from about 2 nm to about 80 nm and a content of non-crystalline alumina of less than about 25 mol percent based on total aluminum.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkoxylation catalyst wherein a catalyst precursor which is formed from an alkoxylated alcohol and an alkaline earth metal compound to form a dispersion of an alkaline earth metal species is reacted with propylene oxide to propoxylate at least a portion of the ethoxylated alcohol.

Abstract: A unified process which couples a unique in situ catalyst regeneration process with a continuous reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene with C2–C30 olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of a distillation column. Periodic regeneration of the catalyst is carried out with a countercurrent injection of a C4–C16 paraffin below the benzene rectification zone at the top of the column, but above the catalyst zone while the aromatic hydrocarbon reaction feedstock is injected continuously at a point above a rectification zone at the base of the column where the aromatic compound is separated from the paraffin and by-products washed from the catalyst. The use of the C4–C16 paraffin with the aromatic at a mole fraction in the range of 40 to 90% enables a regeneration temperature of about 175–250° C. to be achieved and maintained by adjusting the column pressure and aromatic reflux rate.

Abstract: A process for producing nano sized boehmite aluminas which are stable at alkaline pH values wherein an aqueous medium of a peptized boehmite alumina is treated with a water dispersible polycarboxylic acid polymer and optionally with an organic water dispersible base having a molecular weight ranging from 500 to 3000 and having no more than three basic groupings to produce a treated boehmite alumina which forms a stable sol at a pH of greater than 6, the treated boehmite alumina having a dispersed particle size of less than 500 nm in the sol.

Abstract: A process of producing an organically modified metal oxide wherein an aqueous slurry of a metal oxide which can be peptized in the presence of an acid is admixed with an aqueous slurry of an oregano silage having the formula RySiX4-y, the mixture of the aqueous slurry and the oregano silage being thermally aged to produce a colloidal metal oxide sol which can be dried to produce a powder which is readily discernible in polar compounds such as alcohols, water and the like.

Abstract: A composition of matter or modifier for use in modifying unfunctionalized polymers comprising a metal oxide substrate that can be formed into a sol, a water soluable, acid moiety, having a hydrocarbyl group with olefinic unsaturation, bound to the metal oxide substrate and a water soluble, free radical initiator, the composition of matter generally being in the form of a dry powder that can be mixed with a polymer lacking functional groups whereupon when the mixture is subjected to conditions which result in the decomposition of the free radical initiator to form free radicals.

Abstract: A unified process for reactive distillation under pressure for the alkylation of light aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene and cumene with straight chain C6-C18 olefins using a solid acid alkylation catalyst supported in the reflux zone of the distillation column. The process is continuous, using a reactive distillation configuration such that at least a portion of the olefin is injected below the benzene rectification zone at the top of the column. The aromatic hydrocarbon is injected continuously at a low rate above the rectification zone at the base of the column and above the reboiler. The alkylation reaction takes place primarily in the liquid phase on the solid acid catalyst and is characterized in that the molar ratio of aromatic hydrocarbon to olefin in the liquid phase may be adjusted.