Abstract: It has been discovered that particular flexible polyurethane foam formulations having a chlorinated alkane incorporated therein have the advantage of improved combustion resistance, but also unexpectedly the additional advantages of improved durability (dynamic fatigue), and better processing in terms of a delayed onset of gel. These results were surprisingly achieved with the use of a chlorinated alkane as the sole component to improve combustion resistance. Incorporation of as much as 34 parts of chlorinated alkane per hundred parts of polyol have been accomplished.

Abstract: De-icing compositions, such as used on aircraft wing surfaces, are found to not need thickeners to obtain acceptable holdover times. The compositions are based on an alkylene glycol component (such as propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and mixtures thereof), and obtain particular advantage when a nonionic alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactant is used in conjunction with an alkylaryl sulfonate hydrotrope, as additives. This latter combination of additives gives de-icing compositions with increased holdover times with no degradation of other properties. These compositions exhibit a Newtonian rheology as required for de-icing compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the reduction of the color of polyamines by reacting at elevated temperature, e.g. 120.degree.-170.degree. C., and pressure, e.g. 500 to 6000 psig. the colored polyamines, e.g. triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine, in the presence of a ruthenium on alumina hydrogenation catalyst. The catalyst for the polyamine decolorization process preferably has at least 0.5 wt. % Ru. In the process of the present invention, the polyamines can either be distilled into a narrow product composition and then hydrogenareal, or a crude polyamine product can be hydrogenated and then distilled to produce the desired product composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymer polyols and a method for preparing polymer polyols which have (1) exceptional dispersion stability, especially at high styrene contents, and (2) substantially smaller particle sizes than polymer polyols having equivalent viscosity. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a first reaction product is obtained by feeding the following materials to a first continuous reactor in the presence of a free radical initiator or catalyst: (a) less than about 50 wt % of a total monomer proportion or monomer mixture, preferably comprising styrene/acrylonitrile at a ratio preferably greater than about 50/50 wt %; (b) at least about 50 wt % of a total base polyol proportion; (c) a majority of a precursor stabilizer; and, (d) a polymer control agent (PCA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the reduction of the color of polyamines by reacting at elevated temperature, e.g. 120.degree.-170.degree. C., and pressure, e.g. 500 to 6000 psig. the colored polyamines, e.g. triethylenetetramine and tetraethylenepentamine, in the presence of a cobalt on alumina hydrogenation catalyst promoted with copper and chromium. In the process of the present invention, the polyamines can either be distilled into a narrow product composition and then hydrogenated, or a crude polyamine product can be hydrogenated and then distilled to produce the desired product composition.

Abstract: Highly saturated, highly aminated alkoxylated polymers may be reliably made by an improved process involving the steps of (1) polymerizing one or more unsaturated hydrocarbons to form a liquid polymer, where at least one of the unsaturated hydrocarbons is butadiene; (2) providing the liquid polymer with terminal hydroxyl groups; (3) alkoxylating the hydroxylated liquid polymer with one or more alkylene oxides having at least three carbon atoms to provide secondary terminal hydroxyl groups; (4) simultaneously aminating and hydrogenating the alkoxylated liquid polymer to produce an essentially saturated, aminated, alkoxylated liquid polymer in the presence of hydrogen and ammonia and a catalyst. The catalyst preferably contains nickel as the single greatest component, with smaller amounts of copper, chromium and molybdenum. Excesses of hydrogen and ammonia are used in the final step.

Abstract: Monomers having at least two reactive ethylenically unsaturated sites may be polymerized via a free-radical reaction in the presence of a polyol to produce a dispersant useful in preparing polymer polyols that find uses as coreactants to produce polyurethane foams. The monomers include, but are not limited to, polyethylenically unsaturated maleimides and acrylates. The dispersants prepared in this manner can be used in very small quantities, about 2 to 5 wt. % of the total polyol and still produce a styrene/acrylonitrile polymer polyol with high solids and high styrene levels.

Abstract: Dispersants that are the reaction product of polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols with polymers containing anhydride groups are discussed. These dispersants may be used in the production of polymer polyols having high styrene contents and high solids contents. The polymers containing the anhydride groups may be preformed polymers which are then reacted with the polyol, or may be formed in the polyol directly prior to esterification with the polyol to form the dispersants. Maleic anhydride and methacrylic arthydride and derivatives thereof are examples of monomers suitable for the dispersants. Polymer polyols made using these dispersants may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethanes.

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: The removal of basic alkaline earth metal catalysts from alcohol alkoxylate product streams using acid days wetted with water is described. The catalyst level may be reduced to 1 ppm or less in many instances. Effective acid days include, but are not limited to silica days, silica magnesia clays, alumina, montmorillonite days, mixtures thereof and the like. Contacting of the day with the alcohol alkoxylate may take place at ambient to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: Described are carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides of the formula: ##STR1## where R is a moiety from an alcohol or hydroxy compound having a valence of k; R' is independently hydrogen or lower alkyl from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R" is independently a straight or branched alkylene or aromatic moiety averaging from about 2 to 36 carbon atoms; x averages from about 2 to 100; z averages from about 20 to about 250; k averages from about 1 to 3; m is 0 or 1; and p is independently 5 to 11. Because the carboxyl-terminated polyetheramides are all carboxyl-terminated, they do not gel. They are expected to have good impact strength as well as differing solubilities depending on the polyetheramine incorporated.

Abstract: A fish measuring device is described which has a fish support surface with a length, width and first and second ends opposite one another. A stop at the first end prevents movement of a fish lengthwise beyond the first end and at least two fish restraining members at least partially along the length of the fish support surface partially enclose or envelope an interior space with the fish support surface. A passage exists between the two fish restraining members to permit a fishing line and/or thumb and forefinger holding a fish to be brought therethrough to the stop. A live fish may be brought into the device while still hooked via the line or after being unhooked. While the fish is restrained in its movement, its length may be compared against the end of the support surface or a scale therein to determine its length.

Abstract: Water soluble polyamides may be produced by reacting two different dicarboxylic acids with at least one low molecular weight poly(alkylene glycol) diamine and at least one relatively high molecular weight polyoxyalkylene diamine. One dicarboxylic acid may be of low molecular weight, such as adipic acid and the other of relatively high molecular weight such as C.sub.36 dimer acid. In one embodiment, some dimer acid proportion is preferred. The poly(alkylene glycol) diamine may include triethylene glycol diamine and tetraethylene glycol diamine. The polyoxyalkylene diamine should have at least some ethylene oxide residue therein; for example it may be a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene diamine. The resulting polyamides have a desirable combination of properties, including high strength with water solubility, the latter making the materials easier to work with and very useful.

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: A process for preparing phenoxyethanamines from phenols and 2-oxazolines in quantitative yields was discovered. Phosphoric acid hydrolyzes the amide intermediate from the phenol/2-oxazoline reaction without cleaving the amide at the ether linkage and without undesired aromatic ring substitution. Thus, yield to the desired phenoxyethanamines is often 98% or better, requiring no subsequent purification. In contrast, sulfuric and hydrochloric acids give these undesired side reactions. Phenoxyethanamines are useful in thermosetting resins, pharmaceuticals and as surfactants.

Abstract: Anti-icing compositions, such as used on aircraft wing surfaces, may be thickened using a blend of a polyacrylic acid and a copolymer of polyacrylic acid with a vinyl monomer, where the copolymer acts as a thickener modifier. Additional advantages are obtained when a low molecular weight nonionic alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactant is used in conjunction with an alkylaryl sulfonate hydrotrope, as additives. This latter combination of additives gives anti-icing compositions with increased holdover times with no degradation of other properties. The compositions also contain an alkylene glycol component, such as propylene glycol, diethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. These compositions retain a high viscosity, even when diluted with water, and exhibit a highly pseudoplastic rheology indicating desirable flow off characteristics.

Abstract: Improved polymer/polyol compositions and processes for making them; high potency preformed stabilizers used to make the polymer/polyol compositions and processes for making them; and improved polyurethane products made from the polymer/polyols compositions; characterized by a material reduction in polymer/polyol viscosity while raising the polymer solids content.

Abstract: A method for producing secondary amines, particularly fatty secondary amines such as ditallowamine from fatty nitriles, such as tallow nitrile over a reduction, hydrogenation catalyst, such as nickel or cobalt, in two steps has been discovered. The reaction gives high selectivity of secondary amine over the coproduced primary and tertiary amines. The first step of the reaction is conducted continuously in the presence of ammonia and hydrogen. The secondary amine proportion is increased by a second stage using the same catalyst as the first stage, but in the absence of ammonia.