Abstract: Cellulosic materials are physically and/or chemically modified by contact with a combination of urea and sulfuric acid in which at least 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present as the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The cellulosic materials thus treated possess uniquely modified physical and chemical properties. The methods of the invention can be employed to weaken the physical structure of the cellulosic material and thereby to assist in clearing land of vegetation and vegetation residue and in compacting and other processing of waste cellulosic materials. The methods of the invention can also be employed to increase the food value of cellulosic materials for animals, including humans, and, in particular, to increase the food value of such materials for ruminant mammals.

Abstract: Plant seeds are beneficiated by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a urea-sulfuric acid component containing the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid in the aqueous solution is preferably within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present in the solution as the monourea adduct. The treatment of plant seeds with the aqueous urea-sulfuric acid components is particularly useful for removing residual plant matter from plant seeds, scarifying and improving the germination of plant seeds, and improving the processability and digestibility of plant seeds. Improvements in processability result from softened seed hulls or husks, improved extractability of oil from oil-containing seeds, and improved quality of treated seeds for the manufacture of seed derived products, particularly for the manufacture of grain-derived products.

Abstract: Plant seeds are beneficiated by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a urea-sulfuric acid component containing the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid in the aqueous solution is preferably within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present in the solution as the monourea adduct. The treatment of plant seeds with the aqueous urea-sulfuric acid components is particularly useful for removing residual plant matter from plant seeds, scarifying and improving the germination of plant seeds, and improving the processability and digestibility of plant seeds. Improvements in processability result from softened seed hulls or husks, improved extractability of oil from oil-containing seeds, and improved quality of treated seeds for the manufacture of seedderived products, particularly for the manufacture of grain-derived products.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Certain urea-sulfuric acid components, comprised of urea and sulfuric acid in a 1/4 to 7/4 molar ratio, contain a monourea adduct of sulfuric acid, which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. The invention provides methods employing such urea-sulfuric acid components for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerization (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis. Novel catalysts are disclosed which involve combinations of the urea-sulfuric component with one or more transition metal halides and/or with one or more surfactants. The surfactant-containing compositions are particularly useful for the treatment of materials containing lipophilic substances.

Abstract: A device for measuring fluid density, the device comprising a silicon substrate having a micro-engineered cantilevered beam fabricated on it for use as a density sensor. The beam is at the end of a tube and has a contact manufactured on its end and a contact manufactured on the substrate below the contact. Means for causing said structure to vibrate and for detecting a characteristic of the vibration are provided, the characteristic being dependent on the density of the fluid to be measured.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid which is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, HR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: Compositions containing sulfuric acid and one or more of certain chalcogen-containing compounds in which the chalcogen compound/H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is below 2 contain the mono-adduct of sulfuric acid whci is catalytically active for promoting organic chemical reactions. Suitable chalcogen-containing compounds have the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is independently selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4, and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical. Such compositions are useful for catalyzing organic reactions such as oxidation, oxidative addition, reduction, reductive addition, esterification, transesterification, hydrogenation, isomerication (including racemization of optical isomers), alkylation, polymerization, demetallization of organometallics, nitration, Friedel-Crafts reactions, and hydrolysis.

Abstract: L-(d)-lactic acid, the dextrorotatory isomer of lactic acid, is an effective plant growth regulant which exhibits classical growth regulant activity at very low concentrations and dosage rates. It can be employed to beneficially stimulate the growth of all plant varieties and is particularly useful for stimulating the growth of commercial crops. As is the case with other growth regulants, L-lactic acid can also be employed to inhibit the growth of plants when applied at sufficiently high concentrations. Thus, L-lactic acid can be employed to stimulate the growth of desired plants, to stimulate the fruit production of fruit-bearing plants, and to inhibit the growth of undesired vegetation. Novel compositions which comprise mixtures of L-(d)-lactic acid and one or more preservatives which are sufficient to prevent the hydrolytic and/or bacterial decomposition of the active isomer are also disclosed.

Abstract: Vanadium is recovered from vanadium-containing phosphoric acid solutions by adjusting the pH so as to convert the dissolved vanadium to a simple vanadate compound which is insoluble in the phosphoric acid solution at the adjusted pH and separating the resulting insoluble simple vanadate compound from the phosphoric acid solution. The vanadium dissolved in the phosphoric acid solution can be converted to insoluble simple vanadates by reaction with oxidants and/or cations which form phosphoric acid-insoluble simple vanadates. These methods can be employed to selectively recover vanadium from phosphoric acid solutions containing other metals. They also can be employed to recover vanadium compounds from ores, scrap metal, and other vanadium sources by dissolving the vanadium from the vanadium source in phosphoric acid and recovering the vanadium as an insoluble simple vanadate from the phosphoric acid as described.

Abstract: Ruminants such as cattle are protected against selenium-deficient diseases by applying a sulfur-selenium composition to the rangelands or pasturelands where the cattle graze. The composition preferably contains the selenium in a solid solution in the sulfur.

Abstract: Polysaccharides are at least partially hydrolyzed by contact with a composition containing urea, sulfuric acid, and water in which the urea/sulfuric acid molar ratio is less than 2. Such proportions of urea and sulfuric acid assure the presence of the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The polysaccharide can be hydrolyzed to an extent sufficient only to hydrate the polysaccharide to produce a hydrated polysaccharide such as hydrated cellulose, or it can be completely hydrolyzed to its constituent monosaccharides. Thus, cellulose can be converted to glucose.

Abstract: Plant seeds are beneficiated by contacting them with an aqueous solution of a urea-sulfuric acid component containing the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The molar ratio of urea to sulfuric acid in the aqueous solution is preferably within the range of about 1/4 to about 7/4 so that at least about 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present in the solution as the monourea adduct. The treatment of plant seeds with the aqueous urea-sulfuric acid components is particularly useful for removing residual plant matter from plant seeds, scarifying and improving the germination of plant seeds, and improving the processability and digestibility of plant seeds. Improvements in processability result from softened seed hulls or husks, improved extractability of oil from oil-containing seeds, and improved quality of treated seeds for the manufacture of seed-derived products, particularly for the manufacture of grain-derived products.

Abstract: Pests are controlled by applying to the location of and/or to the path traversed by the pests a composition comprising urea and sulfuric acid in which the urea H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 molar ratio is less than 2. Novel compositions useful in such methods are also provided and comprise the described combinations of urea and sulfuric acid dispersed in a hydrocarbon oil. The novel method and compositions are particularly useful for controlling plant pests by applying the useful urea-sulfuric acid components to the plants or to the vicinity of plants occupied or tranversed by such pests.

Abstract: The growth of microorganisms in stored crops, and especially in animal feedstuffs, is inhibited by the application of a preservative composition which comprises ammonia, urease enzyme urea and/or urea polymers in a fluid medium. Urea polymers which are useful include biuret, triuret, cyanuric acid, urea cyanurate and other compounds which decompose to form ammonia. The effect of treatment with the preservative composition is to provide an immediate microorganism-inhibiting ammonia level, which, due to delayed decomposition of the urea and urea polymers, is sustained to some significant degree during prolonged storage of the treated material.

Abstract: Cellulosic materials are physically and/or chemically modified by contact with a combination of urea and sulfuric acid in which at least 25 percent of the sulfuric acid is present as the monourea adduct of sulfuric acid. The cellulosic materials thus treated posses uniquely modified physical and chemical properties. The methods of the invention can be employed to weaken the physical structure of the cellulosic material and thereby to assist in clearing land of vegetation and vegetation residue and in compacting and other processing of waste cellulosic materials. The methods of the invention can also be employed to increase the food value of cellulosic materials for animals, including humans, and, in particular, to increase the food value of such materials for ruminant mammals.

Abstract: Electrolytic cells, suitable for depositing a metal on or removing a metal from a substrate, are provided which comprise an anode and cathode, sulfuric acid, an a chalcogen-containing compound soluble in said bath and having the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical, in which the molar ratio of the chalcogen compound to sulfuric acid is about 1 or more, and the molar ratio of water to the combination of acid and chalcogen compound is about 20 or less.

Abstract: Methods for depositing metals on or removing metals from substrates are provided which involve the use of electrolytic cells comprising an anode and cathode, sulfuric acid, and a chalcogen-containing compound soluble in said bath and having the empirical formula ##STR1## wherein X is a chalcogen, each of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is selected from hydrogen, NR.sub.3 R.sub.4 and NR.sub.5, at least one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is other than hydrogen, each of R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is hydrogen or a monovalent organic radical, and R.sub.5 is a divalent organic radical, in which the molar ratio of the chalcogen compound to sulfuric acid is about 1 or more, and the molar ratio of water to the combination of acid and chalcogen compound is about 20 or less.

Abstract: Conifer growth is stimulated by topical and/or foliar application of biuret which achieves direct contact of biuret with the conifer roots and/or foliage respectively. Foliar application is more effective on older trees. Optionally, undesired vegetation, such as ferns and broad-leaf plants, is controlled and conifer growth is promoted by application of biuret-containing solutions to the foliage of all plants. Novel compositions particularly useful in these methods contain biuret and a surfactant and/or polar solvent other than water sufficient to facilitate foliage wetting.