Abstract: An adhesive composition that can be used in particleboards and other composites is formed from an aqueous mixture of soy protein, zinc sulfate heptahydrate, calcium oxide, sodium benzoate, pine oil, wax emulsion and non-sulfonated kraft lignin. In a second embodiment the composition further includes an acid.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing terminally functionalized telechelic polymers using a cationic living polymer product or a terminal tert-chloride chain end of a carbocationic quasiliving polymer product, which comprises quenching the polymer product with an N-substituted pyrrole to thereby functionalize the N-substituted pyrrole at the terminal reactive polymer chain end(s). Also disclosed are the terminal functionalized polyisobuyl N-substituted pyrrole compounds where the polyisobutyl group is substituted at the 2 and 3 position of the N-substituted pyrrole.

Abstract: Process for treating a mixed C4 stream comprising iso-butene and 1,3-butadiene by (a) reacting the stream with acetic acid in an addition reactor, (b) withdrawing product comprising iso-butene acetate, sec-butenyl acetate, n-butenyl acetate and t-butyl acetate, and recovering n-butenyl acetate from the product and separating and recycling t-butyl acetate to the addition reactor. The process provides increased efficiency of acetic acid utilisation together with useful products, e.g. n-butenyl and sec-butenyl acetates which can be separated and sold as such or converted to other products. The unreacted isobutene can be separated and used as such, or recycled and allowed to dimerise to di-isobutene, another useful product.

Abstract: Alkylation of metaxylene with isobutylene using a solid active clay catalyst produces 5-tert-butyl-metaxylene with high isomer selectivity with respect to 4-tert-butyl-metaxylene. The process is controlled to extend catalyst life and significantly reduce environmentally unfriendly waste.

Abstract: Novel waterborne vinyl copolymer dispersions useful as a fabric coating or treatment to improve the performance properties of textile products are disclosed and claimed. The compositions contain vinyl monomers, a vinyl silane and hydroxy fatty acid ester compounds having at least one double bond in their backbone featuring internally plasticizable and crosslinkable properties.

Abstract: Novel latex or emulsion compositions containing internally plasticizing and crosslinkable long-chain alkenol ester monomers are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include latex formed from acrylate or methacrylate esters of long-chain alkenols. A process for the synthesis of the latex composition is also disclosed, which involves (a) esterification of a long-chain alkenol with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid; (b) polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated ester in an aqueous phase with at least one other copolymerizable monomer; and (b) blending of so formed polymer with at least one drier and a surfactant to form the novel latex or emulsion compositions. These compositions form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from ?5 to 10° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg) polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing copolymers of ethylenically unsaturated monomers with ethylenically unsaturated derivatives of fatty acids and/or oils via emulsion polymerization techniques is performed in two stages. One or more suitable ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerized in the first stage of an emulsion polymerization. The ethylenically unsaturated derivatives of fatty acids and/or oils are blended with other monomers and polymerized in a second stage of the polymerization reaction. A suitable surfactant is added to the polymerization mixture to facilitate formation of the emulsion. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant is a hybrid surfactant, i.e., one having both anionic and non-ionic characteristics.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers synthesized by means that yield a narrow range of molecular weights can have different properties than polymers synthesized by conventional means. In order to obtain such polymers, however, polymerization must be controlled. One type of controlled polymerization is the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, which has characteristics of a living polymerization. The present invention discloses a group of dithioesters and trithioesters suitable as chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerization. The present invention also discloses RAFT polymerizations conducted in aqueous media.

Abstract: Aliphatic maleimides and methods using the same are disclosed. Polymerization of compositions which include the compounds of the invention may be activated by irradiating the composition with radiation.

Abstract: Materials and methods for incorporating adenosine derivatives into the 5′ end of transcribed RNA are disclosed. Adenosine derivatives include naturally occurring compounds such as Coenzyme A, NAD, and FAD, as well as various non-naturally occurring compounds. The derivatives can be used to impart desirable properties to the RNA such as fluorescence, the ability to bind to receptors or ligands, and improved catalytic activity.

Abstract: A soy protein based adhesive useful in particleboards and other composites is formed from a mixture of soy protein isolate, a polyol plasticizer and a vegetable oil derivative. The preferred plasticizer is glycerol and the preferred vegetable oil derivative is the maleinized methyl ester of tung oil.

Abstract: A binder system made from renewable resources is used to produce particleboards. In a preferred embodiment the binder includes soy protein isolate, a plasticizer such as glycerol and a vegetable oil derivative such as maleinized methyl ester of tung oil. Particleboard is formed from a source of lignocellulose, the binder, and optionally an alkali modified soy protein and emulsified wax.

Abstract: Stabilized pre-promoted unsaturated polymer resin systems that include a tertiary aromatic amine cure promoter. The stabilized curable resins systems can include a vinyl ester resin.

Abstract: Novel compounds derived from traditional semi- drying and non-drying oils featuring internally plasticizing and crosslinkable properties are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the preparation of the novel compounds is also disclosed, which involves esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or its derivatives with substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds. These compounds are suitable for forming latices, which form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg) polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. These latices are therefore useful in waterborne coatings, contact and pressure sensitive adhesives, and inks.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to track the position of the sun and direct an object to the direction of the sun, regardless of weather conditions or geographical location, among other disruptive or interrupting factors. The object may include a solar collector, solar cell, or test panel, among other possible devices or applications requiring near continuous exposure to rays of the sun. The apparatus uses a GPS device to determine the position of the object on the earth. The apparatus includes a controller operatively coupling to the GPS device. The controller calculates the relative position of the sun with respect to the object. The controller operatively couples to a positioning system. The positioning system includes a first drive and a second drive coupled to the object. Commands from the controller operate the positioning system to articulate the object and automatically direct it towards the relative position of the sun.

Abstract: Novel compounds derived from traditional semi- drying and non-drying oils featuring internally plasticizing and crosslinkable properties are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the preparation of the novel compounds is also disclosed, which involves esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or its derivatives with substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compounds. These compounds are suitable for forming latices, which form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10 ° C. and cure to above ambient glass transition (Tg polymers without the use of traditional organic cosolvents which contribute to environmental pollution via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions. These latices are therefore useful in waterborne coatings, contact and pressure sensitive adhesives, and inks.

Abstract: Polymers and copolymers synthesized by means that yield a narrow range of molecular weights can have different properties than polymers synthesized by conventional means. In order to obtain such polymers, however, polymerization must be controlled. One type of controlled polymerization is the reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process, which has characteristics of a living polymerization. The present invention discloses a group of dithioesters and trithioesters suitable as chain transfer agents for RAFT polymerization. The present invention also discloses RAFT polymerizations conducted in aqueous media.

Abstract: Novel latex or emulsion compositions containing internally plasticizing and crosslinkable monomers derived from traditional semi-drying or non-drying oils are disclosed and claimed. The monomers are ethylenically unsaturated esters of long-chain olefinic compounds. Preferred embodiments include latex formed from acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxy fatty acid esters derived from castor oil or lesquerella oil. A process for the synthesis of the latex composition is also disclosed, which involves (a) an esterification reaction of ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or its derivatives with a substituted hydroxy long-chain olefinic compound; (b) subsequent polymerization of the so formed ethylenically unsaturated ester of a long-chain olefinic compound in an aqueous phase with at least one other copolymerizable monomer; and (c) blending so formed polymer with at least one drier and a surfactant to form the novel latex or emulsion compositions.

Abstract: Novel latex or emulsion compositions containing internally plasticizing and crosslinkable monomers derived from traditional semi-drying or non-drying oils are disclosed and claimed. The monomers are ethylenically unsaturated derivatives of long-chain olefinic compounds. Preferred embodiments include latex formed from acrylate or methacrylate esters of fatty alcohols. A process for the synthesis of the latex composition is also disclosed, which involves (a) polymerization of the ethylenically unsaturated derivatives of a long-chain olefinic compound in an aqueous phase with at least one other copolymerizable monomer; and (b) blending of so formed polymer with at least one drier and a surfactant to form the novel latex or emulsion compositions. These compositions form films at low minimum film forming temperatures (MFT) ranging from −5 to 10° C.

Abstract: Process for making a butyl ester from butadiene, comprising (a) reacting butadiene with a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid to form a mixture of n-butenyl and secondary butenyl esters, (b) separating the n-butenyl ester from the secondary butenyl ester, and (c) hydrogenating the n-butenyl ester separated in step (b) in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding n-butyl ester.