Abstract: Improved hydraulic fracturing compositions are disclosed which help reduce potential negative environmental impact by hydraulic fracturing. The disclosed compositions have flammability and toxicity and are relatively safe for the environment. The compositions may also contain biodegradable components.

Abstract: A composition for removing paint, particularly graffiti, is described which contains an alkylene carbonate, which may be propylene carbonate, butylene carbonate or mixtures thereof; propylene glycol as a hydrotrope, and a polypropylene glycol having a molecular weight of at least 200. In one embodiment, the composition also contains a hydroxyalkylcellulose thickener, for example, at least 0.5 volume percent hydroxymethylcellulose may be present. In another embodiment, the composition contains no N-methylpyrrolidone, amine, DMSO, isocetyl alcohol or surfactant, unlike some prior graffiti-removing compositions.

Abstract: It has been discovered that relatively large cyclic and open chain carbonates are extremely efficient in the selective extraction of metal ions, such as gold, silver, platinum and mercury from aqueous solution without the need for a potentially hazardous, organic solvent or use of a corrosive salt, such as NaCl. For example, 1,2-decane carbonate extracted >99.9% mercury, 99.76% gold, 97.5% silver and 79.0% platinum. The homologous 1,2-dodecane carbonate was found to extract 99.9% gold and silver from aqueous solution and 95.8% platinum. Didecyl carbonate extracted 77% gold from aqueous solution. The method of this invention is simpler than prior techniques and eliminates the need for potentially hazardous solvents (toxic, flammable and environmentally unfavorable) and corrosive additives, such as salt, NaCl, used as a salting agent in prior methods.

Abstract: Bicyclo[4.3.0]1,4,7-triazanony-6-ene-5-one may be made easily, in good yield and in one step by reacting diethyl oxalate with a diethylene triamine. The bicyclo[4.3.0]1,4,7-triazanon-6-ene-5-one material made by this process may be used to selectively separate metal ions from solution, or complexed together with a metal ion act as a catalyst. Surprisingly, related bicyclic triazines do not show the ability to complex with metal ions and precipitate them from solution.

Abstract: Macrocyclic oxamides may be made easily, in good yield and in one step by reacting an oxalic compound, such as oxalic acid or oxalic esters, with a diamine, where the amine groups are separated by at least five atoms. The oxalic compounds may include, but are not limited to such materials as dimethyl oxalate and diethyl oxalate. The diamines may include, but are not limited to such materials as alkylenediamines; polyalkylene glycol diamines; alkyl-bis-(aminoalkyl)amines; imino bis-(alkyl)amines; and N,N' bis-(aminoalkyl)-N,N'-dialkylalkylenediamines and bis-(aminoalkyl)piperazines; and mixtures thereof. The macrocyclic oxamides made by this process may be used to selectively separate metal ions from solution, or complexed together with a metal ion act as a catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing potassium from polyol and alkoxylated alkyl phenol products and neutralizing soluble base catalysts which comprises using a partially spent ion exchange resin which no longer meets the purity requirements for the production of MTBE, ETBE or TAME, washing the catalyst, mixing it with the polyol or alkoxylated alkylphenol in an acid/base ratio of about 7/1 to 10/1, for a period of hours and removing the filtrate.