Abstract: An olefin polymerization catalyst comprising the reaction product of a metallocene complex of Group IVB, VB, VIb, and VIII of the Periodic Table and an excess of alumoxane.

Abstract: Niobium (V) and tantalum (V) halides are converted to Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 and Ta.sub.2 O.sub.5 that are free of detectable levels of halide in a two step process. In the first step, the metal halide is reacted with an alcohol and with a replacement species, such as ammonia, which reacts with the halide. This produces a metal alkoxide which is soluble and a halide salt of the replacement species which is insoluble in the alcohol and precipitates. After physically separating the alkoxide in alcohol solution from the precipitate, in a second step, the metal alkoxide is hydrolyzed with purified water to produce the oxide.

Abstract: A substantially chloride-free palladium oxidation system, comprising a palladium component, a copper component, and a ligand is described. The Wacker system, consisting of palladium and copper chlorides is also improved by the addition of a ligand. The palladium and copper counterion are independently selected from BF.sub.4.sup.-, CF.sub.3 COO.sup.-, SO.sub.4.sup.=, and NO.sub.3.sup.-. The ligand is preferably a nitrile-containing compound.

Abstract: A method and composition for producing a more coarse alumina trihydrate crystal in a Bayer process pregnant liquor, involving the addition of approximately 5-400 mg/l of surfactant-oil, the oil dissolving the surfactant which can be selected from a host of surfactants which are stable in (hot) caustic solutions and capable of dispersing hydrophobic liquids in the Bayer liquor. The preferred embodiment involves the use of tall-oil fatty acids; a number of equivalent surfactants are established. The oil or hydrocarbon (hydrophobic) liquid can be selected from paraffinic oils, naphthenic oils, mineral seal oils, fuel oils, and bottoms or residue from a C.sub.10 alcohol distillation.

Abstract: A process for producing catalyst ingredient for use in olefin polymerization which comprises contacting (A) a magnesium hydrocarbyloxide and (B) a silicon compound having hydrogen-silicon bonds in the presence of a hydrocarbon medium, contacting the thus obtained solid product (C) a halogenated titanium compound in the presence or absence of a hydrocarbon medium and then adding to contact (D) an electron donating compound.

Abstract: A pretreatment method is disclosed for a hydrocarbon conversion catalyst formulation which results in significantly improved yield performance. The pretreatment method involves contacting a catalyst comprising a refractory support containing a platinum component, a tin component and a surface-impregnated promoter metal in the absence of hydrocarbons with a gas containing hydrogen at a temperature, pressure, and period of time sufficient to result in improved yield performance when compared to a non-pretreated catalyst.

Abstract: A process for producing a catalyst component for polymerization of olefins which comprises contacting (a) a metal oxide with (b) an organomagnesium compound represented by the formula RMgR' wherein R denotes a hydrocarbyl group and R' denotes a hydrocarbyl group or a halogen atom, contacting the resulting contacting product with (c) carbon dioxide, and further contacting the resulting contact product with (d) a titanium compound. Optionally, the carbon dioxide contacted contact product can be treated with the halogen-containing compound prior to contact with the titanium compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for polymerizing alpha-olefins is prepared by reacting a transition metal compound, e.g., titanium, with trimethylaluminum catalyst activator. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is supported on a porous refractory support and is prepared by additionally reacting a magnesium compound or an organomagnesium composition with the support.Also disclosed is a process for polymerizing alpha-olefins in the presence of the catalyst of the invention. The polymer products have higher bulk density and produce films of greater strength than polymers prepared with similar catalysts utilizing different alkyl-aluminum activators, e.g., triethylaluminum and tri-isobutylaluminum.

Abstract: A method of making beta"-alumina comprises dispersing in a precursor of aluminum oxide a member of the group comprising sodium oxide and its precursors, and dispersing in the precursor of aluminum oxide a spinel stabilizer which is a member of the group comprising spinel-forming oxides and the precursors thereof, to form a mixture. The mixture is then heated to a temperature at which at least some of the precursor of aluminum oxide is converted to beta"-alumina. The precursor of aluminum oxide is one which, when calcined in air by itself, has a calcination product which, when subjected to X-ray diffraction, displays a predetermined X-ray diffraction trace. The X-ray diffraction trace is one whose peak with the highest intensity in the 2 (theta) range of 44.degree.-48.degree. and whose peak with the highest intensity in the 2 (theta) range of 63.degree.-69.degree. respectively have maximum intensities and integrated intensities which comply with equations (I) and (II):A/S is greater than 0.

Abstract: A supported catalyst containing rhodium and compounds of chromium, manganese, alkali metals and, if appropriate, compounds of sulphur is prepared by first applying compounds of chromium and manganese to the catalyst support, subsequently heating the catalyst support thus charged to elevated temperatures and then impregnating it with a rhodium solution, drying it, treating it with an alkali metal solution and, if appropriate, applying sulphur compounds to the catalyst support thus treated. The supported catalyst thus prepared can be used for the dehydrogenation of compounds and/or compound mixtures consisting of completely and/or partly hydrogenated hydroxydiphenyl.

Abstract: Aqueous sodium dithionite slurries or suspensions, which are nonsettling during shipment thereof and are thereafter pumpable after storage at 32.degree.-40.degree. F. for at least fourteen days, comprise, on a weight basis, about 34% of sodium dithionite, about 0.17% of a xanthan gum, 5.5-6.5% of 50% sodium hydroxide, about 0.26% of a chelate, and about 1.96% of sodium tripolyphosphate which is added after adding the sodium dithionite. Preferably, the sodium tripolyphosphate is added last in making the slurry which is used as a woodpulp bleaching composition.

Abstract: Lepidocrocite (.gamma.-FeOOH) with an large specific surface area and a uniform particle size is provided by a method comprising preparing a suspension of ferrous hydroxide at a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 by adding a ferrous salt solution with an alkali solution in an amount of 0.4 to 0.7 times the theoretical amount for converting all the ferrous salt to ferrous hydroxide, blowing an oxygen-containing gas into the suspension to form a seed crystal of .gamma.-FeOOH, completing the generation reaction of .gamma.-FeOOH by blowing an oxygen-containing gas into the suspension while adding an alkali solution to keep the pH of the suspension within a range of 3 to 5, in which an Si concentration of the suspensions for seed reaction and for generation reaction of .gamma.-FeOOH is controlled to be within 5 to 30 ppm.

Abstract: Olefin polymerization catalyst components having improved activity and morphological properties are disclosed and claimed. In particular, the components are prepared by reacting a carbonized magnesium alkoxide or aryloxide component with a halogenated tetravalent titanium component, a halohydrocarbon component and an electron donor.

Abstract: Transition metal, notably zirconium alloy, is melted (e.g., by a plasma) to form droplets within the size range of minus 20, plus 60 mesh. The droplets are exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere for a short period while cooling through the hydriding temperature range (e.g., 600.degree. C. to 400.degree. C.). A friable particulate of uniform size and hydrogen content, suitable for sintering or forming components, is recovered.

Abstract: In the desalting of crude oil, water-insoluble solids such as rust, iron sulfide, silt, clay, drilling mud components, etc., contained in the crude accumulate in an interfacial emulsion layer or cuff between the desalted crude and water phases. The major portion of this cuff is recycled to the crude feed and the remainder is mixed with a light diluent oil to break the emulsion and then settled to separate the crude and the water. The water-insoluble solids separate with the water. The separated oil phase may be combined with the desalted crude.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for improving the efficiency of a cyclone by the addition of a rough-cut device to a gas outlet tube of the cyclone. The rough-cut device includes a tangentially located dust collector that gradually reduces in size and is connected to a dipleg that can be buried in a dense bed or provided with a trickle valve. Gases containing entrained solid particles exit the gas outlet tube of the cyclone in an upward flowing spiral with the solid particles held against the wall of the tube by the centrifugal force of the spiraling gas. When the solid particles reach the tangential exit port, the centrifugal force causes the particles to follow the direction of the wall leaving the gas stream and falling toward the dipleg due to the loss of the upward driving force of the gases. The gases continue in an upward direction and exit the top of the rough-cut device with fewer entrained solid particles.

Abstract: A process for producing alumina involving reacting anhydrous aluminum chloride with a oxidizing agent with a temperature within the range of from about 700.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. to form aluminum oxide and chlorine and separating the chlorine and mixing a portion thereof with the reacting aluminum chloride and oxidizing agent.

Abstract: Ruthenium-cobalt carbonyl catalysts which have been promoted with an organophosphite effectively catalyze the dealkoxyhydroxymethylation of aldehyde acetals to form glycol monoethers. Methylal, for example, may be reacted with syngas, i.e., CO and H.sub.2, in the presence of this phosphite-promoted ruthenium carbonyl cobalt catalyst to form the monomethyl ether of ethylene glycol. In a like manner acetaldehyde may be converted to the corresponding propylene glycol monoether. The process may advantageously be carried out with high yields and selectivities in the presence of a polar or non-polar organic solvent in combination with the catalyst system of this invention.The invention is also directed to certain of the organophosphite-promoted cobalt and ruthenium-cobalt carbonyl catalyst systems per se.