Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitor as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. the sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that evolves minimal water and does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 weight percent of the polymer to be foamed, and a polyhydric alcohol such as six-carbon mannitol as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. Boric acid can be included with the alcohol. The sodium borohydride is kept separated from the other reactive components such as by encapsulation until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated and molded.

Abstract: A method of making a foamed polymer article by injection molding, using a foaming agent that does not form byproducts which could pit or chalk the polymer surface. The foaming agent contains sodium borohydride in an amount from 0.01 to 5.0 weight percent of the polymer, and sodium dihydrogen phosphate as an activator to react with the sodium borohydride and produce hydrogen gas. The sodium borohydride and the sodium dihydrogen phosphate are kept separated from direct contact with each other, such as by encapsulating the components, until gas production is desired when the polymer is heated.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and its acetals which comprises reacting under anhydrous conditions acrolein or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula R OH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier and a promoting effective amount of hydrogen halide. An intermediate in the process, i.e., .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or acetal thereof can also be used in forming alkyl 4-oxobutyrates and acetals thereof by reacting under anhydrous conditions said .beta.-halopropionaldehyde or its acetals with carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula ROH wherein R is lower alkyl in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising palladium metal which is either unsupported or supported on an inert carrier.

Abstract: Methyl 4-oxobutyrate and its methanol addition products, methyl 4,4-dimethoxybutyrate and gamma-methoxy-gamma-butyrolactone, which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of such industrially important compounds as gamma-butyrolactone, 1,4-butanediol and glutamic acid, are produced from the reaction of acrolein, carbon monoxide and methanol in the presence of a catalyst system which consists of (a) a Group VIII metal component selected from palladium metal or a palladium-containing composition which generates palladium metal under reaction conditions, (b) a hydrogen halide and (c) an arylarsine catalyst copromoter.

Abstract: A process for making ethylene, ethane and other higher hydrocarbons from methane is disclosed. In this process methane is contacted with oxygen in the presence of at least one metal of Group IB of the Periodic Table of the Elements, with the proviso that if the metal is copper an additional Group IB must be present, a metal-containing chloride or a metal-containing compound capable of being formed into a metal-containing chloride in situ, where the metal is manganese, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a rare earth metal of the lanthanide series, and a volatile halide.

Abstract: A process for the production of pimelic acid comprising reacting .epsilon.-caprolactone with carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst, such as a Group VIII metal and hydrogen halide.

Abstract: An apparatus for conducting sequential chemical reactions between two gaseous reactants and a liquid reaction medium wherein contact between the two gaseous reactants are to be avoided is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first reaction zone provided with means for contacting a first gaseous reactant with a liquid reaction medium to provide an intermediate liquid mixture, a second reaction zone provided with means for contact between a second gaseous reactant and said intermediate liquid mixture to form a product, communication means providing communication for said liquid reaction medium and said intermediate liquid mixture between said first and second reaction zones and circulation means for continuously circulating said liquid reaction medium and said intermediate liquid mixture between said first and second reaction zones.

Abstract: Allyl alcohol is reacted with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a heterogeneous catalyst composition comprising zero valent palladium and a catalyst promoting amount of hydrogen halide to provide a mixture of products predominantly made up of carboxylic acids containing four and five carbon atoms, e.g., 3-butenoic acid, crotonic acid, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, glutaric acid and methyl succinic acid and possibly minor amounts of other oxygenated compounds such as allyl ether and allyl 3-butenoate.

Abstract: A process for making hydrocarbons of at least two carbon atoms from methane is disclosed. In this process methane and a source of oxygen are introduced into a molten salt, maintained at a temperature in the range of between about 660.degree. C. and about 800.degree. C., comprising at least one metal iodide, the metal of which is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and mixtures thereof and a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of metals of Group IB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements. The methane and oxygen source are introduced into the mixture such that they do not contact each other.

Abstract: A process for making methyl iodide is disclosed. In this process methane, and a source of oxygen are introduced into a molten salt, maintained at a temperature of at least about 500.degree. C., said molten salt comprising an iodide of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals and mixtures thereof and a catalyst comprising at least one metal selected from the group consisting of a metal of Group IB and Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements with the proviso that said methane and said source of oxygen do not contact each other.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide present in a hydrocarbon stream to carbon dioxide employing a specially prepared supported catalyst containing cobalt oxide, said catalyst being prepared by successively impregnating the support with a solution of an alkaline compound and a solution containing cobalt ions, calcining the impregnated support and washing the calcined support to activate the catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing gamma-caprolactone comprising isomerizing epsilon-caprolactone in an aqueous medium in the presence of catalytically effective amounts of hydriodic acid or hydrobromic acid wherein the catalyst is optionally promoted with a Group VIII metal. The temperature for the reaction is in the range of about 175.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. and the ratio of water to epsilon-caprolactone is at least about 1:1.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for selectively oxidizing carbon monoxide present in a hydrocarbon stream to carbon dioxide employing a specially prepared supported catalyst containing cobalt oxide, said catalyst being prepared by successively impregnating the support with a solution of an alkaline compound and a solution containing cobalt ions, calcining the impregnated support and washing the calcined support to activate the catalyst.

Abstract: Catalyst for use in a vapor phase process for the preparation of unsaturated aldehydes, carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof which comprises a noble metal promoted by a solid acid consisting of mixed metal oxides.

Abstract: A process for preparing gamma-caprolactone comprising heating polycaprolactone in the presence of catalytically effective amounts of an acid comprised of hydrogen halides in a water solution to a temperature in the range of about 175.degree. C. to about 275.degree. C. and the ratio of water to polycaprolactone is in the range of about 1:1 to about 10:1.

Abstract: Vapor phase process for the preparation of unsaturated aldehydes, carboxylic acids and mixtures thereof which comprises contacting a gaseous mixture of an open-chain olefin of from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, water and oxygen at an elevated temperature up to about 250.degree. with a solid catalyst comprising a catalytically effective amount of noble metal promoted by a solid acid consisting of mixed metal oxides.

Abstract: 2-pyrrolidone and N-substituted 2-pyrrolidones such as N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone and N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone are prepared by the catalyzed reaction of methyl 4-oxobutyrate with ammonia or a primary amine and hydrogen.

Abstract: Glycols are readily and conveniently prepared by hydrolysis of halohydrins and/or dihaloalkanes in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong acid.