Abstract: The instant invention provides an isocyanate trimerisation catalyst system, a precursor formulation, a process for trimerising isocyanates, rigid foams made therefrom, and a process for making such foams. The trimerisation catalyst system comprises: (a) an imidazolium or imidazolinium cation; and (b) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerisation catalyst system has a trimerisation activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C. The precursor formulation comprises: (1) at least 25 percent by weight of polyol, based on the weight of the precursor formulation; (2) less than 15 percent by weight of a trimerisation catalyst system, based on the weight of the precursor formulation, comprising; (a) an imidazolium or imidazolinium cation; and (c) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerisation catalyst system has a trimerisation activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C.

Abstract: MRI contrast agents that employ paramagnetic agents and chemical exchange saturation transfer (paraCEST) and which are coupled to targeted particulate delivery vehicles provide sufficient concentration of the paraCEST contrast agents to obtain useful images of target tissues or organs. In addition, the image contrast may be switched on or off with a presaturation radio frequency pulse, avoiding the necessity obtaining pre-injection and post-injection images.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises (1) contacting at least one polymerizable monomer in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reactor; (2) effectuating polymerization of the monomer; (3) adding a substituted olefin having at least one polar group to the reactor. The substituted olefin is different from the monomer. Vinyl-terminated macromers preferably are generated which can be homopolymerized or copolymerized with the monomer by the metal catalyst. A polymer of an olefin monomer and a substituted olefin comprising a backbone and a plurality of side chains. The polymer is characterized by an Rv of greater than about 0.85, where Rv is a measure of the relative number of vinyl groups in the polymer. In some polymers, the vinyl endgroups are transformed to other useful end groups.