Abstract: A feed gas mixture with SO.sub.2 partial pressure of at least about 0.5 atmosphere and an O.sub.2 :SO.sub.2 mole ratio of between about 0.7:1 and about 1:1 is passed in plug flow through a packed bed of conversion catalyst. The catalyst bed is cooled to produce a temperature profile including a first zone of increasing temperature, a second zone of substantially constant temperature and a third zone of declining temperature. The exit temperature is sufficiently low for high equilibrium conversion values. The effluent is cooled to condense liquid sulfur trioxide, while the sulfur trioxide remaining in the gas stream can be absorbed into oleum and/or sulfuric acid. Enriched oleum can be prepared by blending condensed sulfur trioxide into oleum or sulfuric acid.

Abstract: At the conclusion of a selective binding assay (e.g., immunological or nucleic acid), an enzyme is present in modulated concentration and/or activity to moderate a chemical reaction such as the cleavage of o-nitrophenyl-.beta.-D-galactopyranoside. After a controlled period, the enzymatic product is transferred to the gas phase and concentrated relative to other components in the enzymatic reaction mixture, such as by extraction into ethyl ether, injection into a gas chromatography column and detection by flame ionization or electron capture. Kits for such assays are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing N-hydroxyl organo imidate compounds by reacting an oxime compound with a halogenating agent and reacting the resulting 1-halosubstituted oxime compound with the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of an alcohol.

Abstract: A combination pH/reference electrode is provided with the two electrochemical references being symetrically thermally insulated from the sensing membrane and being thermally adjacent each other. The portion of the pH fill buffer in contact with the inner surface of the sensing membrane is thermally insulated, as by KCl crystals, to rapidly equilibrate in temperatures with the sample solution.

Abstract: Polymer solutions are formed by reacting an aromatic heterocyclic such as thiophene, substituted thiophenes or oligomers of either with an acceptor doping agent (Lewis Acid) such as arsenic pentafluoride in the presence of certain solvents such as arsenic trifluoride. Articles such as air-stable conductive poly(3-methylthiophene) are cast from such solutions.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol of molecular weight over 500,000 (i.e. 1,500,000 to 2,500,000) is spun as a dilute solution (2-15%) in a relatively non-volatile solvent such as glycerin. The resultant gel fiber is extracted with a volatile solvent such as methanol and dried. Upon stretching at one or more stages during the process, fibers of tenacity above 10 g/denier and modulus above 200 g/denier (e.g. 18 and 450, respectively) are produced.

Abstract: A periclase refractory composition comprising magnesium oxide granules, carbon granules and a carbonaceous binding material capable of undergoing pyrolytic decomposition. Added to the periclase refractory composition is at least one oxyhydrocarbon compound selected from the group consisting of (a) acyclic carboxylic acids, (b) oxidized polyolefin waxes, (c) poly(alkylene oxides) and ethers thereof, (d) olefin copolymers, (e) polyvinyl alcohol, and (f) furan polymers.

Abstract: Solutions of ultrahigh molecular weight polymers such as polyethylene in a relatively non-volatile solvent are extruded through an aperture at constant concentration through the aperture and cooled to form a first gel of indefinite length. The first gels are extracted with a volatile solvent to form a second gel and the second gel is dried to form a low porosity xerogel. The first gel, second gel or xerogel, or a combination, are stretched. Among the products obtainable are polyethylene fibers of greater than 30 or even 40 g/denier tenacity and of modulus greater than 1000 or even 1600 or 2000 g/denier.

Abstract: Process of detecting the presence of certain gases, including certain pollutants, in small concentrations; or to cause partial polymerization of certain polyacetylene compositions for use in time/temperature history indicators or radiation dosage indicators. The process involves contacting a reactive gas, such as a nitrogen oxide, a halide or ozone, with a crystalline substituted acetylenic monomer containing at least two conjugated triple bonds and substituents having at least one atom of oxygen or nitrogen. In particular the acetylenic compound is 2,4-hexadiyne-1,6-bis(phenylurethane) crystallized from tetrahydrofuran or acetone.

Abstract: A suspension of particles such as carboxylated polystyrene latex particles are coated (as by carbodiimide coupling) with an antigen (such as chemically modified Bovine Serum Albumin). The antigen-coated particles are incubated with a gamma-globulin to the antigen (such as can be produced by immunizing rabbits) under non-agglutinating conditions. The particles having antigen/gamma-globulin immune complexes are recovered and resuspended to form a diagnostic reagent which agglutinates when mixed with human serum containing Rheumatoid Factor.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbons into light hydrocarbons which comprises contacting, in a first zone, a heavy hydrocarbon having an API gravity at 25.degree. C. of less than about 20, such as Boscan heavy crude oil and tar sand bitumen, with a liquid comprising water, in the absence of externally added catalyst and hydrogen, while maintaining the first zone at a temperature between 400.degree. and about 480.degree. C. and at a pressure at least about 690 kPa (about 100 psig, about 6.76 atm) and less than about 5,000 kPa (about 725 psig, about 148 atm), for a contact time under continuous flow conditions sufficient to produce a uniform (i.e.

Abstract: Novel polycarboxy benzene dianhydrides useful as surfactants are disclosed. The novel compounds of this invention are pyromellitate tetraesters wherein two ester moieties characteristically contain fluorinated alkyl groups or saturated hydrocarbon alkyl groups and wherein two ester moieties contain alkylene moieties having a terminal halogen.

Abstract: Batteries wherein at least one of the anode and cathode is a conjugated backbone polymer and in which the electrolyte contains at least one sultone or sulfonate solvent. Preferred solvents such as propane sultone and butane sultone impart stability to the battery and permit the polymer, such as polyacetylene, to be highly oxidized or reduced without degradation.

Abstract: Conjugated backbone polymers (e.g., polyacetylene), especially formed into a battery electrode, are contacted with a compound MR where M is an alkali metal and R is alkyl of 1-12 carbons, phenyl or alkylphenyl of 7-12 carbons. The method is particularly suited to treatment of battery electrodes to avoid a high initial internal resistance.

Abstract: Secondary batteries with conjugated polymer anodes, such as polyacetylene, contain an electrolyte including a salt of the formula MB.sub.4-w-y-z R'.sub.w R".sub.y X.sub.z wherein M is an alkali metal, B is boron, R is alkyl, R' is aryl or alkyl-substituted aryl, R" is heterocycle, X is F, Cl, Br, I, CN, OCN, SCN, fluoroaryl or perfluoroalkyl-substituted aryl, w and y are integers of 0 to 4, and z is an integer of 0 to 4, provided that when X is solely F, Cl, I, Br, CN, OCN, SCN or perfluororalkyl, Z is not 4; with the sum x+y+z being equal to or less than 4. Exemplary salts are LiBMe.sub.4, LiBMe.sub.2 Ph.sub.2, LiBMe.sub.2 PhPy, LiBMe.sub.2 P.sub.y 2 and KBPh.sub.3 SCN (where M=methyl, Ph=phenyl and Py=pyrrolyl). Cathodes such as conjugated backbone polymers (e.g. polyacetylene) and transition-metal chalcogenides (e.g. TiS.sub.2) are disclosed. The battery can be charged to a state wherein the anode is in a reduced state of 0.1 V-0.5 V (relative to M/M.sup.+) where a voltage plateau exists in some instances.

Abstract: Electrically conducting doped poly(paraphenylene) compositions, and process of making such compositions, having direct current conductivities of at least 10.sup.31 3 ohm.sup.-1 cm.sup.-1, at room temperature, and up to 100 ohm.sup.-1 cm.sup.-1 and above; especially wherein the doping agent is a Group IA metal arene, a Group V halide, chlorine, bromine, or a mixture thereof; in particular potassium naphthalene, sodium naphthalene, AsF.sub.5, chlorine, or a mixture thereof. The polymers are useful as electronic devices, as substrates for electroplating, as materials for absorption of solar and of radio frequency radiation, and in general wherever electrical conductivity of the metallic type or of the semiconductor type, and light weight, are desired.

Abstract: Benzene, or an alkylbenzene, is hydrogenated by reaction with hydrogen in the presence of a Group IVa or Va metal hydride catalyst. The catalyst may be a simple hydride such as ZrH.sub.2 or a hydride of an alloy such as Cu.sub.3 Zr or may be a complex material. One complex material is the reaction product of a Group IVa or Va metal halide, such as ZrCl.sub.4 with an alkyllithium or aryllithium, such as n-butyllithium, in a hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: A polymer solution is formed from a sulfur- or oxygen-containing aromatic polymer solute such as poly(phenylene sulfide) or poly(phenylene oxide), a Lewis Acid solute derivative (dopant) such as arsenic hexafluoride and a liquid halide solvent such as arsenic trifluoride. The solutions are especially useful for casting conductive polymer articles.

Abstract: Solid hydroxylammonium sulfate is reacted with an alcohol solution of an alkali metal hydroxide or alkoxide to produce an alcoholic hydroxylamine liquid phase and a sulfate-containing solid phase. The liquid phase is used for further reactions such as oximations and hydroxamic acid production. The different bases behave differently with regard to suitable and preferable solvents and temperatures.