Abstract: A method for the conversion of an unsaturated compound having a functional group, characterized by contacting [1] at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid esters, nitriles, ketones, amides, and ethers and having a carbon-to-carbon double bond and no unsaturation at the position conjugate to said double bond, or a mixture of said compound [1] and [2] at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated compounds having a carbon-to-carbon double bond and neither unsaturation at the position conjugate to said double bond nor a functional group, with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a combination of (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of tungsten compounds, molybdenum compounds, and rhenium compounds, with (B) at least one organoaluminum compound having at least one carbon-to-aluminum bond.

Abstract: A process for preparing crystalline 1,2-polybutadiene by contacting 1,3-butadiene with a catalyst consisting of (A) a cobalt compound, (B) an organoaluminum compound, (C) water in an amount of 0.25 to 1.5 mole per mol of said organoaluminum compound, and (D) an organic phosphorus compound in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent to polymerize the butadiene, characterized in that as said organic phosphorus compound there is used a compound represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl or aryl group, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 represent independently hydrogen, or alkyl or aryl groups. This process can produce 1,2-polybutadiene having a degree of crystallization of 25 to 50% in a high yield at a temperature of from 0.degree. to 30.degree. C.

Abstract: In the production of 1,2-polybutadiene by contacting 1,3-butadiene with a catalyst composed of (A) a cobalt compound, (B) an organic phosphine compound, (C) trialkylaluminum and (D) water in an amount of 0.25 to 1.5 moles per mole of said trialkylaluminum, the addition of (E) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of allyl halides, alkyl-substituted allyl halides, benzyl halides, alkyl-substituted benzyl halides, and tertiary aliphatic halides to the reaction system enables the molecular weight of the objective 1,2-polybutadiene to be regulated to any desired value without causing any change in microstructure and degree of crystallization of the product and also without deteriorating so much the polymerization activity.

Abstract: A process for producing a conjugated diolefinic polymer by polymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin or copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin with at least one vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon in a hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alfin catalyst and at least one molecular weight regulator selected from the group consisting of (A) unsaturated halohydrocarbons represented by the general formula, RCX .dbd. CYZ, wherein R represents hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, a vinyl group, a phenyl group, a substituted phenyl group, or a halogen atom and X, Y and Z represent independently a hydrogen or halogen atom, at least one of said R, X, Y and Z being a halogen atom, (B) halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons, (C) ethers, polyethers, and acetals and (D) tertiary amines and, if necessary, a dihydro aromatic hydrocarbon, characterized in that said polymerization or copolymerization is effected in the presence of 0.03 to 0.

Abstract: A process for producing a polymer having functional groups at its chain terminals, which comprises reacting a polymer having alkali metal atoms at its chain terminals with an alkylene oxide or sulfide in a hydrocarbon medium having a solubility parameter of 7.2 or less at 25.degree. C. This process makes it possible to produce the said polymer in a short period of time without necessitating a large power for agitation. According to this process, there can be produced a polymer having a functionality near the theoretical functionality in a short period of time.

Abstract: A process for producing a maleic anhydride adduct of high molecular weight 1,2-polybutadiene by contacting with heat maleic anhydride with high molecular weight 1,2-polybutadiene in the absence of a radical initiator in a halogenated aromatic hydrocarbon solvent. The adduct obtained by this process has a high molecular weight of more than 10,000 and is quite free from gel. Said process enables the addition of maleic anhydride in any desired proportion.

Abstract: A novel copolymer is obtained by reacting [A] at least one norbornene derivative having at least one polar group or polar-group-containing substituent with [B] at least one unsaturated polymer having carbon-to-carbon double bonds in the presence of a metathesis catalyst. This copolymer is excellent in chemical and mechanical properties. Particularly, when 50% by weight or more of the component [A] is contained, the resin is distinguished for its high impact strength.

Abstract: A photosensitive composition comprising (1) a maleic anhydride adduct of 1,2-polybutadiene having a molecular weight of 10,000 or higher, (2) at least one photosensitizer and/or at least one photosensitive crosslinking agent, and, if necessary, (3) at least one acrylic monomer. This composition can be developed with water or a polar solvent such as an alcohol, and its layer formed on a support provides a printing plate. When the acrylic monomer is contained, the composition is suitable for use in flexographic printing.

Abstract: A gypsum composition obtained by molding and drying an aqueous slurry comprising calcined gypsum, polyvinyl alcohol, and at least one metal compound. The composition has high surface hardness and high water resistance.

Abstract: Novel polymers or copolymers of norbornene-carboxylic acid amides can be obtained by contacting, in the presence or absence of an inert solvent, (I) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of 5-norbornene-2-carboxylic acid amide, 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid diamide and substituted derivatives thereof, or (II) a mixture of the said compound (I) with at least one compound selected from the group consisting of norbornenes having at least one substituent selected from the group consisting of ester groups, nitrile groups, esterified hydroxyl groups, acid imide groups, halogens and acid anhydride groups and cyclic olefins, with a catalyst composed of (a) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of W, Mo and Re and (b) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of compounds of elements of Groups IA, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IVA and IVB of the Deming Periodic Table, said compounds having at least one element-carbon bond or element-hydrogen bond.

Abstract: A method for the conversion of an unsaturated compound having a functional group, characterized by contacting [1] at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carboxylic acid esters, nitriles, ketones, amides, and ethers and having a carbon-to-carbon double bond and no unsaturation at the position conjugate to said double bond, or a mixture of said compound [1] and [2] at least one compound selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated compounds having a carbon-to-carbon double bond and neither unsaturation at the position conjugate to said double bond nor a functional group, with a catalyst system consisting essentially of a combination of (A) at least one member selected from the group consisting of tungsten compounds, molybdenum compounds, and rhenium compounds, with (B) at least one organolaluminum compound having at least one carbon-to-aluminum bond.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefinic polymers having a molecular weight of less than 1,000,000 can be produced at high polymerization rates and in high yields by polymerizing a conjugated diolefin or copolymerizing a conjugated diolefin with a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon in the presence of an alfin catalyst, in which as a molecular weight regulator is used a halogenated unsaturated hydrocarbon represented by the formula, ##EQU1## wherein R is an alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms, a vinyl group, a phenyl group, an alkyl-substituted phenyl group, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom, and X, Y and Z which may be same or different are individually a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, at least one of the R, X, Y and Z being a halogen atom.