Abstract: A porous separator, to be used in electrolyzers for producing hydrogen and oxygen by water electrolysis, consists of a fabric or felt entirely made of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS). In order to reduce the voltage drop caused by the separator, the PPS polymeric chain can be made ionically active by the presence thereon of polar groups, such as sulfonic, carboxylic or phosphonic groups.The method for producing the separator comprises the preparation, according to conventional weaving or felt manufacturing techniques, of a fabric or felt entirely made of PPS and the subsequent functionalization for introducing polar groups in the polymeric chain. The functionalization can be carried out either on the starting material, such as PPS polymer powder or flakes, or in any other step of the production of fabric or felt.

Abstract: Separator film for alkaline electrolysis and method for making thereof, wherein said separator film includes an aromatic polymer and polytitanic acid.

Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of methyl isocyanate comprising reacting methyl carbamoyl chloride with an acid acceptor selected from the group consisting of 1,3-dimethylurea, urea, alkyl ureas and biuret in an organic solvent in which the acid acceptor is soluble but in which the hydrochloride salt thereof is insoluble, separating the acid acceptor hydrochloride from the liquid phase, recovering methyl isocyanate by distillation from the liquid phase, and thermally decomposing acid acceptor hydrochloride to at least a partially free acid acceptor which can preferably be used as a starting material for the production of methyl isocyanate.

Abstract: A novel process for the preparation of alkyl isocyanates comprising reacting COX.sub.2 and an alkyl amine hydrohalide of the formulaR-NH.sub.2.HX Iwherein R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms and X is a halogen either under pressure in an inert organic solvent or under atmospheric pressure in a high boiling organic solvent to form the corresponding alkyl carbamoyl halide, reacting the latter in an organic solvent with an urea of the formula ##STR1## wherein X' is selected from the group consisting of oxygen and sulfur, R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 are individually selected from the group consisting of alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 4 to 6 carbon atoms and phenyl and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 are individually selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 7 carbon atoms, cycyloalkyl of 4 to 6 carbon atoms and phenyl to obtain the corresponding alkyl isocyanate.

Abstract: Cationic membranes permeable to ions but fluid impermeable comprising a partly sulfonated terpolymer of styrene, divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine and acrylic acid, the degree of sulfonation varying through the membrane cross-section from a maximum or the anodic surface to a minimum at the cathodic surface, their preparation, their use in electrolysis cells and electrochemical processes.

Abstract: Adducts of low boiling isocyanates with boron compounds selected from the group consisting of polyol borates and metaboric acid which decompose on heating to give the low boiling isocyanates as a condensible vapor; as well as the method of making the adducts and the method of storing and transporting low boiling isocyanates employing said adducts.

Abstract: Adducts of low boiling isocyanates with .beta.-diketones which decompose on heating to give the low boiling isocyanates as a condensible vapor; as well as the method of making the adducts and the method of storing and transporting low boiling isocyanates employing said adducts.

Abstract: Production of monochloroacetic acid with a minimum of polychlorinated derivatives in a two stage process by reaction of acetic anhydride and hydrogen chloride at a low temperature to produce a solution of acetyl chloride in acetic acid and chlorinating the said solution at a higher temperature which may be effected in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A measuring electrode for determining the concentration of aqueous sulfuric acid solutions comprising a lead electrode activated by anodic polarization in aqueous sulfuric acid and a process of determining the state of charge of a lead-acid battery.

Abstract: Cationic membranes permeable to ions but fluid impermeable comprising a partly sufonated terpolymer of styrene, divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine, 4-vinylpyridine and acrylic acid, the degree of sulfonation varying through the membrane cross-section from a maximum at the anodic surface to a minimum at the cathodic surface, their preparation, their use in electrolysis cells and electrochemical processes.

Abstract: Porous and electrolyte permeable composite diaphragms for electrolysis cells comprising a chemically inert, fibrous porous matrix or substrate impregnated with a copolymer of divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine, method of electrolysis of an electrolyte using the said diaphragms and an electrolysis cell containing said diaphragms.

Abstract: Novel membranes for electrochemical cells permeable to anions, fluid impervious and resistant to halogens and acidic and oxidizing environments comprised of copolymers of (1) divinylbenzene or halogenated vinyl monomers and (2) at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine with the copolymers being optionally N-alkylated or N-arylated, processes for preparing the said membranes and electrochemical cells and processes using the said membranes.

Abstract: A novel method of reducing metal impurities in aqueous alkali metal halide solutions, especially alkaline earth metal ions, and to novel organic solvent compositions having a synergistic activity for removal of metal impruties from aqueous solutions.

Abstract: A method of shaping an organic polymer insoluble in a polar solvent comprising reacting an insoluble organic polymer containing at least one Lewis acid electron attracting group or Lewis basic electron donating group with a sufficient amount of a lower alkylene oxide to alkoxylate the Lewis group and form an alkoxylated product soluble or easily dispersible in a polar solvent, dissolving or dispersing the alkoxylated product in a polar solvent, shaping the alkoxylated product into the desired form by applying the solution or dispersion to a support and removing the polar solvent, and hydrolyzing the alkoxylated product to obtain the original polymer in the desired form. Products made by the process include self-supporting polymeric films and porous diaphragms for electrolytic cells made by impregnating suitable porous supports with the alkoxylated product.

Abstract: A novel measuring electrode for determination of the concentration of anionic species in aqueous solutions by measuring the potential difference between the measuring electrode and a reference electrode comprising a body provided with an outer surface comprised of graphite or carbon black dispersed in a chemically inert matrix, said electrode being preactivated by anodic polarization in an aqueous alkaline or acid solution, the process of activating the said electrode and a method of ascertaining the charge state of an electric accumulator by determining the strength of the electrolyte therein.

Abstract: Porous and electrolyte permeable composite diaphragms for electrolysis cells comprising a chemically inert, fibrous porous matrix or substrate impregnated with a copolymer of divinylbenzene and at least one member of the group consisting of 2-vinylpyridine and 4-vinylpyridine, method of electrolysis of an electrolyte using the said diaphragms and an electrolysis cell containing said diaphragms.

Abstract: Novel sulfonated copolymers formed by copolymerization of a halogenated monomer containing at least one fluorine atom and a monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is an electron attracting group activating the hydrogen atom in the .alpha.-position so that the hydrogen may be replaced with a sulfonic group and Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl and their preparation, novel diaphragms made therefrom, a diaphragm cell equipped with a diaphragm made of said sulfonated copolymer and to a method of electrolysis.

Abstract: A method of shaping an organic polymer insoluble in a polar solvent comprises reacting an insoluble organic polymer containing at least one Lewis acidic electron attracting group or Lewis basic group with a sufficient amount of a lower alkylene oxide to alkoxylate the Lewis group and form an alkoxylated product soluble or easily dispersible in a polar solvent, dissolving or dispersing the alkoxylated product in a polar solvent, shaping the alkoxylated product into the desired form by applying the solution or dispersion to a support and removing the polar solvent, and hydrolyzing the alkoxylated product to obtain the original polymer in the desired form. Products made by this process include self-supporting polymeric films and porous diaphragms for electrolytic cells made by impregnating suitable porous supports with the alkoxylated product.

Abstract: Novel sulfonated copolymers formed by copolymerization of a halogenated monomer containing at least one fluorine atom and a monomer of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is an electron attracting group activating the hydrogen atom in the .alpha.-position so that the hydrogen may be replaced with a sulfonic group and Y is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl and ethyl and their preparation, novel diaphragms made therefrom, a diaphragm cell equipped with a diaphragm made of said sulfonated copolymer and to a method of electrolysis.

Abstract: Novel composite material comprising a supporting matrix of inert fibers impregnated with a halogenated copolymer of divinyl benzene and styrene containing sulfonic acid groups copolymerized directly on the fiber material in the absence of a solvent which remains dimensionally stable under electrolysis conditions in diaphragm cells and the method of making them and the method of electrolyzing alkali metal halide solutions in a diaphragm cell equipped with a diaphragm made of said impregnated composite diaphragm material.