Patents by Inventor Bruce C. Berris

Bruce C. Berris has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 8933159
    Abstract: Described are a particular group of novel aromatic hydrocarbon telomers that, on bromination, result in the formation of novel flame retardants having a uniquely beneficial combination of properties. The resultant flame retardants and uses thereof are also described. The disclosure includes descriptions of methods for preparing both the aromatic hydrocarbon telomers and the brominated flame retardant polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Layman, Jr., Charles H. Kolich, Arthur G. Mack, Jonathan P. McCarney, Govindarajulu Kumar, Jorge Morice, Zhongxin Ge, Bo Liu, Douglas W. Luther, Kimberly M. White, Bruce C. Berris, Junzuo Wang
  • Patent number: 8642497
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic cation tetrakis(Faryl) borate salts. The process includes preparation of intermediate, mono-hydrazine substituted (Faryl) compound, from (Faryl) compound using hydrazine at temperatures below 78° C. A stoichiometric excess of hydrazine to the (Faryl) compound to the (Faryl) compound is used. The process further includes the preparation of the organic cation tetrakis(Faryl) borate in ethereal medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 8575412
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing triphenylene by combining at least dodecahydrotriphenylene, a dehydrogenation catalyst such as palladium on carbon, and an aliphatic solvent having a boiling point greater than 180° C. to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to at least about 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, and passing a purge fluid comprising an inert fluid through the reaction mixture, for a period of time adequate for production of triphenylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Coppola, Christopher D. Claeboe, Bruce C. Berris
  • Publication number: 20110301395
    Abstract: Processes are provided for producing triphenylene by combining at least dodecahydrotriphenylene, a dehydrogenation catalyst such as palladium on carbon, and an aliphatic solvent having a boiling point greater than 180° C. to form a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to at least about 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, maintaining the temperature of the reaction mixture at 180° C. but lower than the boiling point of the aliphatic solvent, and passing a purge fluid comprising an inert fluid through the reaction mixture, for a period of time adequate for production of triphenylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Coppola, Christopher D. Claeboe, Bruce C. Berris
  • Publication number: 20110224353
    Abstract: Described are a particular group of novel aromatic hydrocarbon telomers that, on bromination, result in the formation of novel flame retardants having a uniquely beneficial combination of properties. The resultant flame retardants and uses thereof are also described. The disclosure includes descriptions of methods for preparing both the aromatic hydrocarbon telomers and the brominated flame retardant polymers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: ALBEMARLE CORPORATION
    Inventors: William J. Layman Jr., Charles H. Kolich, Arthur G. Mack, Jonathan P. McCarney, Govindarajulu Kumar, Junzuo Wang, Jorge Morice, Zhongxin Ge, Bo Liu, Douglas W. Luther, Kimberly M. White, Bruce C. Berris
  • Publication number: 20080306302
    Abstract: A process for the preparation of organic cation tetrakis(Faryl) borate salts. The process includes preparation of intermediate, mono-hydrazine substituted (Faryl) compound, from (Faryl) compound using hydrazine at temperatures below 78° C. A stoichiometric excess of hydrazine to the (Faryl) compound to the (Faryl) compound is used. The process further includes the preparation of the organic cation tetrakis(Faryl) borate in ethereal medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 6084117
    Abstract: Lithiated haloarenes, although useful as intermediates in the synthesis of various end products, can be hazardous to prepare since unstable, shock sensitive compounds can be formed during lithiation of haloarenes. To avoid this problem, a reaction of a polyhaloarene with a hydrocarbyl lithium compound is conducted in the presence of another reactant so that the lithiated haloarene, if formed at all, exists as a transitory intermediate in low concentration. In this way, transitory lithiated haloarene which may be, and presumably is, formed in the reaction is converted into a non-hazardous functionally-substituted haloarene essentially as soon as such lithiated haloarene is formed. Thus, an arene having a halogen atom of atomic number greater than 9 substituted on at least two non-adjacent carbon atoms is concurrently reacted with a non-fluoro halotrihydrocarbylsilane and a hydrocarbyl lithium compound, in proportions such that a haloarene having at least one trihydrocarbylsilyl ring substituent is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Berris, David W. Owens, Rajeev S. Mathur
  • Patent number: 6046358
    Abstract: Impure tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is contacted with a liquid cyclic ether to dissolve the phosphonium halide and leave at least a portion of the impurities comprising at least quaternary ammonium halide or an amidophosphoxide remaining in the solid state. The solids and the liquid phase are separated from each other, an anhydrous non-solvent for the tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is mixed with the separated liquid phase to precipitate the tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide, which is then separated from the liquid phase. The so-treated tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is more efficient as a catalyst for halogen exchange reactions than the original untreated tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Berris, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 5965781
    Abstract: Impure tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is contacted with a liquid cyclic ether to dissolve the phosphonium halide and leave at least a portion of the impurities comprising at least quaternary ammonium halide or an amidophosphoxide remaining in the solid state. The solids and the liquid phase are separated from each other, an anhydrous non-solvent for the tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is mixed with the separated liquid phase to precipitate the tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide, which is then separated from the liquid phase. The so-treated tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide is more efficient as a catalyst for halogen exchange reactions than the original untreated tetra(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Berris, Chi-Hung Cheng
  • Patent number: 5936108
    Abstract: A metallocene having one or two hydrocarbyl groups bonded to a Group 4 metal are produced from a crude impure pasty or non-wet mixture containing at least 50% by weight of a metallocene having two halogen atoms bonded to a Group 4 metal atom, by (a) mixing liquid aromatic hydrocarbon with the crude impure pasty or non-wet mixture; (b) mixing a solution of an organolithium compound in a suitable anhydrous ether or paraffinic hydrocarbon solvent or a mixture thereof, with the mixture from (a) and agitating the resulting mixture so that lithium halide solids are formed; and (c) separating the solids and recovering the resultant liquid portion which is mainly a solution of the metallocene having one or two hydrocarbyl groups bonded to a Group 4 metal. Additional optional steps include (d) replacing the original solvent from the solution from (c) with a liquid paraffinic hydrocarbon diluent to form a slurry of product solids; and (e) recovering the product metallocene solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Albemarle Corporation
    Inventors: Ronny W. Lin, Bruce C. Berris, John M. Power, Troy E. DeSoto, John F. Balhoff, Jamie R. Strickler
  • Patent number: 5883296
    Abstract: A mixture is made from (i) a tris(dihydrocarbylamino) phosphoroamidite and/or a hydrohalide thereof, (ii) a strong base (e.g., NaOH) in proportions of about 2.0 to about 4.0 moles of (ii) per mole of (i), and (iii) at least one solvent for the base (e.g., H.sub.2 O). To this mixture is added a hydrocarbyl monohalide (e.g., EtBr) in proportions of about 1.0 to about 3.0 moles per mole of phosphoroamidite used in forming the initial mixture, and the resultant reaction produces tetrakis(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halide. The process enables more efficient production of tetrakis(dihydrocarbylamino)phosphonium halides, and is capable of being effectively used in large scale production facilities while satisfying the economic constraints of commercial operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Albermale Corporation
    Inventors: John M. Power, Bruce C. Berris, David A. Caillet
  • Patent number: 5292969
    Abstract: A 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene is prepared in high yield by reacting a 2,6-dialkyl-4-methoxymethylphenol with mesitylene in a hydrocarbon solvent and in the presence of at least about 10 mol %, based on the amount of mesitylene, of a hydrocarbon-soluble acid (e.g., an alkylbenzenesulfonic acid having 12-18 carbons in the alkyl group, a carboxylic acid, or a dialkylsulfosuccinate) as a catalyst or co-catalyst while distilling methanol by-product out of the reaction mixture as it is formed. The process may be conducted so as to provide a substantially pure product or a product, such as 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, having fairly high purity (e.g., about 98-98%) and a melting point much lower than would be expected of a product having such high purity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1994
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5089646
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing polysilane compounds using diphosphorous nickel chloride catalysts. Novel bicyclic polysilane compounds, among other compounds, can be produced using these improved methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5089648
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing polysilane compounds using tetrakis(triethylphosphine)nickel (O) catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5047569
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing polysilane compounds using diphosphorous nickel chloride catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5030757
    Abstract: A quaternary ammonium salt catalyst is recovered from mixtures where the salt is in contact with an aqueous alkaline phase by adding water to completely dissolve the salt and adding base to cause the dissolved catalyst to separate as a hydroxide which forms an oily upper phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5026885
    Abstract: Transition metal cyclopentadienyl carbonyl compounds of the formula:[R.sub.x C.sub.p M(CO).sub.y ].sub.nwherein R is hydrocarbyl, C.sub.p is cyclopentadienyl, M is a transition metal, x is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5, y is an interger from 1 to 7, provided that when x is 2 to 5, R can represent two or more different hydrocarbyl groups and any two R groups can together form a fused ring with the cyclopentadienyl moiety, and n is 1 or 2,are prepared in one step by carbonylating a mixture of (i) a transition metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid a .beta.-diketone, or a .beta.-keto ester (ii) a cyclopentadiene compound (iii) and a metal alkyl reducing agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventors: Donald R. Bell, Bruce C. Berris
  • Patent number: 5003100
    Abstract: Improved methods for producing silanes using phosphorous rhodium dimer catalysts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce C. Berris, Steven P. Diefenbach
  • Patent number: 4946975
    Abstract: Cyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl compounds are made by reacting a mixture of 0.25-0.55 moles of manganese acetate and 0.45-0.55 moles of a bis-cyclopentadienyl manganese compound with about 0.5-2.1 moles of an alkyl aluminum compound (e.g. triethyl aluminum) in the presence of about 0.75-1.25 moles of an ether per mole of said alkyl aluminum compound and reacting the mixture with carbon monoxide at about 65.degree.-175.degree. C. and 300-1500 psig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Ethyl Corporation
    Inventors: Feng-Jung Wu, Bruce C. Berris, Donald R. Bell