Abstract: The thermal stability of a polymer is improved by blending, before melt processing, (1) a polymer selected from (a) olefin polymers, (b) polymers of vinyl-substituted aromatic compounds, (c) polymers of substituted acrylic esters, and (d) graft copolymers comprising a backbone of a propylene polymer material having a substituted acrylic ester graft polymerized thereto, and (2) about 0.1% to about 5% of at least one unsaturated aliphatic compound having a molecular weight of at least 200 and an iodine number of at least 10, e.g., soybean oil.

Abstract: The thermal stability of a polymer is improved by blending, before melt processing, (1) a polymer selected from (a) olefin polymers, (b) polymers of vinyl-substituted aromatic compounds, (c) polymers of substituted acrylic esters, and (d) graft copolymers comprising a backbone of a propylene polymer material having a substituted acrylic ester graft polymerized thereto, and (2) about 0.1% to about 5% of at least one unsaturated aliphatic compound having a molecular weight of at least 200 and an iodine number of at least 10, e.g., soybean oil.

Abstract: A radiation-resistant polyolefin composition which includes (i) a polyolefin; and (ii) a radiation-stabilizing amount of at least one aliphatic, unsaturated compound having at least one unsaturation site, the compound having a molecular weight of at least 200 and an iodine number of at least 25. Suitable aliphatic, unsaturated compounds include soybean oil, safflower oil, squalene, polybutadiene, a tertiary amine having at least one aliphatic, unsaturated fatty-acid-derived substituent, oleamide, calcium oleate, erucyl erucamide and glycerol monooleate. A saturated mobilizing compound is preferably included in the composition, which can advantageously be used in the manufacture of fibers, films, and medical devices such as syringes, tube assemblies, tissue culture flasks, and packaging film.

Abstract: A method of enhancing the compostability of waste products (i.e., products which have been discarded after use such as diapers) containing one or more propylene polymer materials by exposure to high-energy ionizing radiation in an oxidizing atmosphere, such as air, to improve the rate of the biological degradation of the propylene polymer material(s). The irradiated waste product is then contacted with living microorganisms in the presence of sufficient moisture for their growth and of an oxygen-containing gas to produce a useful compost humus.

Abstract: Phosphorus compounds having at least one chlorine, bromine or iodine bonded directly to phosphorus are transhalogenated with fluorine by reaction with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in an inert solvent, e.g., xylene, methylene chloride, in a manner such that said anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is added to said phosphorus compound at a rate such that said anhydrous hydrogen fluoride reacts with said phosphorus compound without the accumulation of an amount of unreacted anhydrous hydrogen fluoride which is sufficient to cause substantial decomposition of the desired fluorophosphorus product. A catalytic amount of a pyridine-type compound may optionally included in the reaction.

Abstract: Phosphorus compounds having at least one chlorine, bromine or iodine bonded directly to phosphorus are transhalogenated with fluorine by reaction with a fluoride salt, e.g., KF, or ammonium fluoride in the presence of a hydrogen halide salt of a pyridine-type nitrogen base, e.g., pyridine hydrochloride.

Abstract: Phosphorus compounds having at least one chlorine, bromine or iodine bonded directly to phosphorus are transhalogenated with fluorine by reaction with anhydrous hydrogen fluoride in an inert solvent, e.g., xylene, methylene chloride, in a manner such that said anhydrous hydrogen fluoride is added to said phosphorus compound at a rate such that said anhydrous hydrogen fluoride reacts with said phosphorus compound without the accumulation of an amount of unreacted anhydrous hydrogen fluoride which is sufficient to cause substantial decomposition of the desired fluorophosphorus product.

Abstract: Phosphorus compounds having at least one chlorine, bromine or iodine bonded directly to phosphorus are transhalogenated with fluorine by reaction with a hydrogen fluoride salt of a pyridine-type nitrogen base, e.g. pyridine hydrofluoride in an inert solvent.

Abstract: Organic materials normally subject to gradual degradation in the presence of oxygen are stabilized by inclusion of an aromatic fluorophosphite having at least one benzene group bonded through oxygen to phosphorus and at least one fluorine atom bonded directly to the same phosphorus. Stabilization is improved by also including a conventional phenolic antioxidant. Many of the aromatic fluorophosphites are new compounds.

Abstract: Phosphorus compounds having at least one chlorine, bromine or iodine bonded directly to phosphorus are transhalogenated with fluorine by reaction with a fluoride salt, e.g., KF, or ammonium fluoride in an inert solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Aryl fluorophosphites have been found to be effective polymer stabilizers and are hydrolytically stable when used to form aqueous suspensions.

Abstract: An aromatic tetraphosphite suitable for use as an antioxidant for organic materials. The aromatic tetraphosphite has the formula: ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and straight chain, branched and cyclic alkyl groups having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms with the provision that at least two of the R, R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 groups are alkyl groups.

Abstract: An aromatic diphosphite as a antioxidant for organic materials. The aromatic diphosphite has the formula: ##STR1## wherein each R is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and methyl; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and straight chain and branched alkyl groups having from 1 to about 18 carbon atoms with the proviso that at least two of said R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are alkyl groups having at least three carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process which enhances conversion and speeds the reaction rate for the preparation of esters. Methyl acrylate and a hindered phenol are reacted (i) in the presence of an alkali metal alkaline catalyst that provides a phenolate anion and (ii) in the presence of an agent which solubilizes the phenolate to enhance the reaction rate. Excellent yields of methyl ester are obtained in a rapid reaction and by-products are minimal. The invention includes a preparation of methyl .beta.-(3,5-dialkyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionates by reaction of a hindered phenol with methyl acrylate in the presence of an alkaline catalyst and dimethyl sulfoxide present in an amount sufficient to advance the reaction rate.

Abstract: Compounds with 3,5-dibenzyl-4-hydroxyphenyl substituents have good thermal stability. Organic compositions containing the new additives are protected from oxidative degradation.

Abstract: A phenolic phosphite antioxidant for use alone in polyolefins or in admixture with synergists, phenolic/phosphite antioxidants, and the like. The adduct formed by reacting a phosphorus trihalide, preferably PCl.sub.3, with 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)benzene is useful for antioxidant activity in organic materials.

Abstract: Phenolic-phosphite antioxidants for use alone in polyolefins or in admixture with synergists, phenolic/phosphite antioxidants, and the like. The adduct formed by reacting a phosphorus trihalide, preferably PCl.sub.3, with 1,3,5-trimethyl-2,4,6-tris(3',5'-di-tert-butyl-4'-hydroxybenzyl)benzene, e.g., is useful for antioxidant activity in organic materials. Various other phenolic adducts also show antioxidant activity. The adducts are formed by reacting PCl.sub.3, e.g., with a large phenolic compound having three or more phenolic moieties. The adducts contain components which are noncyclic with respect to phosphite moieties.

Abstract: The sulfonation of o-alkylphenols by reaction with sulfuric acid is improved to give higher conversion to disulfonated o-alkylphenol by adding a small amount of a polybasic carboxylic acid (e.g. oxalic acid) to the o-alkylphenol. The sulfonated product is converted to a dinitro-o-alkylphenol by reaction with nitric acid or salt thereof.

Abstract: Organic materials normally subject to gradual degradation in the presence of oxygen are stabilized by inclusion of an aromatic fluorophosphite having at least one benzene group bonded through oxygen to phosphorus and at least one fluorine atom bonded directly to the same phosphorus. Stabilization is improved by also including a conventional phenolic antioxidant. Many of the aromatic fluorophosphites are new compounds.