Abstract: A process for thinning stone fruit blossoms is disclosed. In the process, a compound selected from certain alkoxylated amines and alkoxylated quaternary ammonium compounds is applied to stone fruit trees at some point after 50% blossom to thereby reduce the number of blossoms on the stone fruit tree. In this manner, the amount of fruit thinning which must be done by hand can be substantially reduced without decreasing the quantity of marketable fruit produced by an orchard or harming the trees or the workers in the orchard.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for grafting C-nitro compounds onto preformed polymers. In the method a hindered C-nitro compound containing at least one polymerizable unsaturated group is reacted with a polymer in the presence of free radicals to thereby graft the C-nitro compound onto the polymer. The process has the advantages of being convenient, economical and applicable to conventional polymer processing steps. In a preferred embodiment, polymer stabilizing additives are prepared by the process in the form of masterbatches of polymer containing high concentrations of C-nitro compounds grafted thereon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for modifying or crosslinking polymers by the use of novel co-agents in the reaction of polymers with organic peroxides. The novel co-agents comprise oligomers of dialkenyl substituted aromatic compounds, preferably oligodiisopropenylbenzene.

Abstract: Water-dispersible compositions of hydrophobic quaternary ammonium compounds and a polyether derivative are disclosed. The compositions may also comprise an alkyl 2-ethylhexyl dimethyl ammonium chloride as a stabilizer. The most preferred composition is comprised of tricetyl methyl ammonium chloride, methoxy polyethylene glycol(17)dodecyl glycol copolymer, and hydrogenated tallow 2-ethylhexyl ammonium chloride. The compositions are useful in aqueous and water-based formulations, and particularly formulations for hair-treating and fabric softening.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the extraction recovery of ethylene amines from an aqueous solution containing at least 10% by weight sodium chloride and not more than 5% by weight sodium hydroxide, the process comprised of mixing with said aqueous solution an extraction-effective amount of a polar organic solvent which is immiscible with an aqueous salt solution, miscible with water and having a boiling poing below about 105.degree. C. This mixture is allowed to form an organic phase and an aqueous salt solution phase. The organic phase, which contains at least a portion of the ethylene amines, is separated from the aqueous salt solution phase. The preferred polar organic solvent is n-propanol. The preferred temperature range for the process is between about 70.degree. C. and about 95.degree. C.

Abstract: Disclosed is a flow-through sodium chloride crystallizer comprised of a vertically-oriented crystallizer body having at least two segments of different cross-sectional area, at least two inlets for the introduction of saturated MgCl.sub.2 brine at minimum of two distinct vertical locations having different cross-sectional areas along the crystallizer body, at least two inlets for the introduction of a saturated NaCl brine at a minimum of two distinct vertical locations having different cross-sectional areas along the crystallizer body, at least one lower outlet for removal of NaCl crystals and at least one upper outlet for removal of spent brine. Also disclosed is an apparatus for producing hopper-shaped NaCl crystals and/or NaCl crystals of varying, segregated purity, and a process for producing the same.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous lubricant solution based in part on a particular group of fatty alkyl amines, which aqueous solution is especially suitable for use as a belt lubricant for the lubrication of conveyor belts for bottles. The aqueous lubricant solutions in accordance with the present invention exhibit excellent clouding behavior and very good gliding action.

Abstract: A conductive metal layer is formed on a substrate having a softening point above about 200.degree. C. by depositing copper and nickel particles having a substantially continuous oxide coating thereon on the substrate, and heating and pressing the metal particles at a temperature of at least 200.degree. C. Unlike similar methods wherein oxide coated metal particles are used, no developing agent is required to render the metal layer conductive. The coated substrates are useful for a variety of uses such as EMI shielding and printed circuit boards.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of bleaching granules containing a solid, water-insoluble peroxy acid and a hydratable inorganic material, in which process the constituents to be used are mixed to form a powder at low temperature and granules are formed from the powder as the temperature is increased to at least the hydration temperature of the hydratable inorganic material. The invention also relates to bleaching compositions and detergent compositions comprised of such bleaching granules.

Abstract: Thickening agents for aqueous systems are prepared by reacting aliphatic alcohols containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms with an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide mixture, then reacting the resulting polyether with 5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide, and reacting the resulting alkoxylation product with a diepoxide, with 0.5 to 3 moles of alkoxylation product being used in the combination reaction per mole of diepoxide. The thickening agents may be blended with low molecular weight alcohol ethoxylates, and are especially suitable for hydraulic fluids.

Abstract: Organic (co)polymers, including saturated (co)polymers, are modified by contacting them with an organic peroxide and decomposing the peroxide. Use is made of an organic peroxide having the general formula: R--(O--O--CHR.sup.1 --CR.sup.2 .dbd.CR.sup.3 R.sup.4)N, wherein N is 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene; R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are, independently, H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; two of the substituents R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 together may form C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alkylene; and, when N is 1, R is an optionally hydroxyl substituted C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 T.alkyl, P-menth-8-yl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 T.alkenyl, 1-vinylcyclohexyl or a group of the formula: --C(CH.sub.3)2--C.sub.6 HJ(5--M)--R.sup.5 (M), wherein M is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sup.5 is isopropenyl or 2-hydroxyisopropyl; when N is 2, R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkylene or alkynylene group having a tertiary structure at both ends, or a group having the formula: --(C)CH.sub.3)2)2--C.sub.6 H(4--X)--R.sup.

Abstract: Polyurethanes having high hyperpolarizability densities and other favorable properties can be easily prepared from nonlinear optical active diols (NLO-diols) of a certain general formula, which have a delocalized .pi. electron system to which both an electron donor group and an electron acceptor group are coupled directly (D.pi.A system). The polyurethanes may be used in optical waveguides.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a process for producing monocrystalline Group II-IV or Group III-V compounds from the polycrystalline form of said Group II-IV or Group III-V compound, said process comprising coating the interior surface of a crucible with a powdered solid having a melting point higher than the polycrystalline form of the compound, placing an amount of polycrystalline compound into the coated crucible, heating the crucible to produce a melt while maintaining the powder in solid form and cooling the crucible to produce a solid compound. The preferred powdered solid is pyrolitic boron nitride. The process may be used to produce, inter alia, semi-insulating gallium arsenide having a neutral EL2 concentration greater than or equal to about 0.85.times.10.sup.16 cm.sup.-3 and a dislocation density between about 500 cm.sup.-2 and 7,800 cm.sup.-2.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a container adapted for holding liquid compounds liable to exothermic decomposition, said container provided with at least one explosion-safe liquid release system comprised of a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, wherein said inlet is located at the bottom of said container. Containers provided with such explosion-safe liquid release systems are particularly suitable for use with organic peroxides. Also disclosed are methods for storing or transporting liquid compounds liable to exothermic decomposition in containers of the present disclosure. Containers used in such methods may optionally hold inert particles and/or liquid diluents.

Abstract: Diamines having a 1,1,3-trimethylphenylindane dicarboxylic moiety linked on both sides to phenylene diamine by an amide bond (PIDA diamines) are disclosed. By reacting these diamines with aromatic difunctional acid derivatives, amorphous polymers having high glass transition temperatures (Tg) can be prepared. If aliphatic diacid derivatives are used the resulting polymers have a lower Tg, but have the advantage of melt-processability. The PIDA-diamines can also be used in the preparation of polyimides, being reacted either with tri- or tetracarboxylic anhydrides or with imide group-containing acid derivatives.

Abstract: Liquid crystalline side-chain polyesters prepared by polycondensing a dicarboxylic acid or a derivative thereof with a diol of a certain general formula. Of such diols the essence is that they have a delocalized .pi. electron system to which both an electron donor group and an electron acceptor group are coupled directly (D.pi.A-system). Because of the structure of the diol to which the D.pi.A-system is linked the polyesters exhibit excellent Tg and Tc values. The polyesters are to be used in optical waveguides or for optical data storage.

Abstract: Polymeric material comprising an interpenetrating network of a polyol(allyl carbonate), e.g., Nouryset.RTM.200, epoxy resin. The polymeric material is prepared by polymerizing 70 to 95 parts by weight of the polyol(allyl carbonate) by radical initiation and polymerizing partially or entirely simulataneously an epoxy resin-forming mixture by acid catalysis. The epoxy resin-forming mixture comprises 10-90 wt. % of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyepoxide and 90-10 wt. % of a polyol/anhydride adduct having molecular weight of 500-5,000.

Abstract: A dialkyl dicarbonate (dialkyl pyrocarbonate) is prepared by contacting an alkyl haloformate (such as ethyl chloroformate) with an alkali metal carbonate (such as potassium carbonate) in the presence of a catalytic amount of a crown ether (such as 18 crown 6) and a solvating amount of a solvent (such as acetonitrile). The process of the invention is easy to carry out, it does not employ particularly hazardous materials, and provides a high yield of dicarbonate.

Abstract: A process for the reduction of carbonyl compounds by an alkali or alkaline-earth metal borohydride in the presence of a phase transfer catalyst which is an N-benzyl-N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl)cocoammonium halide.

Abstract: An apparatus to provide a vaporized reactant for chemical-vapor deposition is disclosed. The apparatus employs a heated quartz reactant reservoir, quartz lines, a quartz valve and, optionally, a purge system. The apparatus may also include a quartz refill reservoir and heating means for the quartz lines. The purge system may be a vacuum purge system.