Abstract: .alpha.-Thujene is prepared in high yields by isomerizing 1 mole of sabinene with 0.2 to 0.5 moles of an alkali metal, preferably lithium and 0.3 to 0.8 moles of a primary or secondary amine, preferably ethylenediamine. Formation of by-products such as p-cymene is minimized.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for extracting sym-octahydroanthracene (s-OHA) from a product isomer mixture formed by the aluminum chloride catalyzed isomerization of sym-octahydrophenanthrene (s-OHP). Isolation of the s-OHA product isomer is accomplished by contacting the reaction product mixture with a specified liquid hydrocarbon solvent into which the s-OHA product isomer and unconverted s-OHP isomer dissolve and separate from a residue. The undissolved residue comprises a complex made up of aluminum chloride catalyst and small amounts of the s-OHA and s-OHP isomers. This catalyst complex may be recycled into a fresh starting mixture of s-OHP isomer for catalysis of a subsequent s-OHP isomerization reaction.

Abstract: A high density specialty fuel for propelling limited volume ramjet and turbojet missile systems comprising a blend of at least 70 weight percent of exotetrahydrodicyclopentadiene and a correspondingly minor amount of a combination of a mixture of C.sub.5 -C.sub.7 alkanes and/or cycloalkanes and hydrogenated dimers of norbornadiene.

Abstract: New polyunsaturated compounds, their preparation and their use as starting materials for preparing monounsaturated bicyclic compounds useful as intermediates in the preparation of macrocyclic ketones.

Abstract: A product mixture of a norbornene and a tetracyclododecene is prepared in any desired mole ratio in the range of 95/5 to 5/95 which comprises heating an olefin, cyclopentadiene, and a norbornene in the respective mole ratio of 1-20/1-5/1-5, at a temperature of 100.degree. to 400.degree. C., 100 to 5000 psi, and 0.1 to 5 hours of residence time.

Abstract: Novel salt-like compounds adapted to be used as component of catalytic systems in the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are disclosed: these compounds are obtained by reacting halides of transition metals or of aluminium with halides of alkaline earth metals, in the presence of phosphorous oxide derivatives which have the function of solvating agents. Also oxyhalides of transition metals lie within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: Methods employing a catalyst system comprising a hydrogen fluoride solution of tantalum pentafluoride and/or niobium pentafluoride for the preparation of 2,6-dimethyldecalin from a 12 carbon atom-containing dicyclic naphthenic isomer thereof and for the preparation of a mixture of 2,6-dimethyldecalin and a 12 carbon atom-containing dicyclic naphthenic isomer thereof from methylcyclopentane and/or cyclohexane are disclosed.

Abstract: Tetrahydrodimethyldicyclopentadiene is catalytically isomerized to a liquid isomeric mixture having a suitable low temperature viscosity making it suitable as a missile fuel. The catalyst comprises an acidic alumina. Hydrogen is also present and in an amount sufficient to maintain the isomerization activity of the alumina. The elevated temperature is sufficient to cause isomerization.

Abstract: Norbornadiene [bicyclo (2.2.1) heptadiene-2,5] is dimerized to a mixture of mainly the exo-endo stereoisomer of the hexacylic dimer of norbornadiene at both an excellent selectivity and conversion using an effective amount of a two component catalytic system of rhodium acetylacetonate and diethylaluminum chloride or ethylaluminum dichloride or aluminum ethylsesquichloride. The mixture also contains the endo-endo stereoisomer and some trimer. After hydrogenation a suitable mixture of the exo-endo and endo-endo dimers can be used as a component of high energy fuel.

Abstract: A method for converting endo-tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene to the corresponding exo isomeric form which is advantageously carried out in the presence of aluminum chloride catalyst and the spent nickel hydrogenation catalyst utilized in hydrogenating an endo dimer of cyclopentadiene to provide said tetrahydro derivative thereof.

Abstract: This invention concerns processes for preparing .beta.-santalol, .beta.-santalene, dihydro-.beta.-santalol, tetrahydro-.beta.-santalol and related compounds from camphene. The invention further concerns novel compounds useful as intermediates in these processes and as fragrance adjuncts.

Abstract: Optically active compounds are prepared from optically inactive unsaturated hydrocarbons by reacting at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst prepared by combining a nickel compound, a Lewis acid and an optically active phosphine of the general formulaPR'R"R'"in which R', R" and R'" are hydrocarbon radicals, thereby forming optically active compounds having chiral centers formed by the carbon-to-carbon linkages. The optically active compounds can be polymerized to provide optically active polymers.

Abstract: Aluminum cyclopentadienyl compounds can be used to synthesize a variety of organic molecules containing the cyclopentadiene group, e.g., substituted cyclopentadiene compounds, polymer molecules with cyclopentadiene pendant groups, and polymer molecules with cyclopentadiene terminal groups.

Abstract: Hydrogenolysis of a saturated endo-endo dihydronorbornadiene hexacyclic dimer involves the use of a catalytic amount of a Group VIII metal and the presence of hydrogen. The resulting pentacyclic isomers can be used as a diluent for depressing the freezing point of the saturated hexacyclic dimer which is a component of a high density missile fuel.

Abstract: The removal of color bodies from an olefinic or saturated endo-endo hexacyclic homodimer of norbornadiene or mixtures thereof is accomplished by the use of a serpentine clay. Also acid bentonite clay or a montmorillonite clay can be used to remove the color bodies from the saturated dimer. The saturated dimer has a high density and a high heat of combustion making it useful as a missile fuel. Removal of the color bodies avoids possible catalyst poisoning in the hydrogenation of the olefinic to the saturated dimer. Also removal of the color bodies from the saturated dimer eliminates the possible problem of a material precipitating out on engine turbine blades and causing maintenance or operational problems.

Abstract: Isomerization of a liquid, saturated endo-endo norbornadiene hexacyclic dimer involves the use of a catalytic amount of acidic alumina or a montmorillonite. The resulting isomeric product is solid, at ambient temperature, and can be used as a missile fuel.

Abstract: Novel codimer (I) of norbornadiene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene and its hydrogenated derivative (II), having the following structures: ##STR1## and processes for preparing both are disclosed. Product (II) can be used as a high energy fuel. Process for codimer I involves use of three component homogeneous catalytic system of cobaltic or cobaltous acetylacetonate, 1,2-bisdiphenylphosphino ethane and one of three alkyl aluminum chlorides.

Abstract: The endo-endo olefinic hexacyclic dimer of 2,5-norbornadiene is isomerized using an acidic alumina catalyst. The isomerization temperatures ranges from between about an ambient temperature to about 300.degree. C. The isomerized product, after hydrogenation, can be used as a high density missile fuel.

Abstract: Dimethyldicyclopentadiene is continuously hydrogenated to tetrahydrodimethyldicyclopentadiene and then the latter is continuously isomerized to a missile fuel. Both the hydrogenation and the isomerization steps use a nickel on silica-alumina catalyst. The temperature of the hydrogenation is in the range of about 70.degree.-260.degree. C., and the temperature of the isomerization is in the range of about 200.degree.-280.degree. C. The space velocity of the hydrogenation is about 0.1 to about 2.0 volumes of the diene charged per volume of catalyst per hour and the space velocity of the isomerization is about 0.1 to about 3.0 volumes of the hydrocarbon charged per volume of catalyst per hour. The pressure range for hydrogenation is between about 200 psig to about 3000 psig and for isomerization between from about 10 psig to about 1500 psig. Hydrogen is present during the isomerization.

Abstract: Optically active compounds are prepared from optically inactive unsaturated hydrocarbons by reacting at least one unsaturated hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst prepared by combining a nickel compound, a Lewis acid and an optically active phosphine of the general formulaPR'R"R"'in which R', R" and R"' are hydrocarbon radicals, thereby forming optically active compounds having chiral centers formed by the carbon-to-carbon linkages. The optically active compounds can be polymerized to provide optically active polymers.