Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: Disclosed are oriented, shaped articles such as, for example, film, fibers, bottles, and tubes, with excellent strength, toughness, clarity, chemical resistance, and UV resistance. The articles can be prepared from cycloaliphatic polyesters and from compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and cycloaliphatic polyester elastomers. The articles may be oriented by stretching in at least one direction and have a modulus which results in a soft feel. Also disclosed are polyester compositions comprising cycloaliphatic polyesters and polyester elastomers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process wherein a first olefin selected from certain ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates is reacted with a second olefin reactant to produce an olefin metathesis product. When the first olefin reactant is an optically enriched or enantiomerically pure ?,?-dihydroxyalkene, cross metathesis reactions produce products possessing the same optical purity. The ?,?-dihydroxyalkenes and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylene carbonates may be converted to hydrogenated products, and the 4-(alkenyl)ethylenecarbonates may be decarboxylated to provide the corresponding epoxides. The products of the disclosure may be used as monomers for the preparation of specialty polyesters and as intermediates in the manufacture pharmaceuticals and other chemicals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for measuring the thickness, or non-uniformity of thickness, of one or more layers of a film or article such as a preform. At least one layer contains a known concentration and a substantially uniform distribution of fluorophores. The fluorophores are added to the one or more layers in sufficient quantity to impart fluorescence capable of detection by a detector when exposed to electromagnetic radiation at absorbing wavelengths. The layers of the invention may be made from polymeric material, non-polymeric material, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for a cyclohexanedimethanol by hydrogenation of a cyclohexane-dicarboxylate ester in the presence of a Raney metal catalyst doped with rhenium. The process is useful for the reparation of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol from dialkyl esters of 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate or dialkyl terephthalates. When Raney nickel is used as the catalyst, the process produces CHDM having a high trans content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process wherein carbon monoxide, a carbonylatable reactant, and a halide in the gas phase are contacted with a non-volatile catalyst solution comprising an ionic liquid and a Group VIII metal to produce a carbonylation product in the gas phase. The process is useful for the continuous preparation of acetic acid by the carbonylation of methanol.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel catalyst systems comprising (1) a diorgano fluorophosphite ligand; (2) rhodium, wherein the ratio of gram moles fluorophosphite ligand (1) to gram atoms of rhodium is at least 1:1; and (3) a Group VIII metal, other than rhodium, or Group VIII metal-containing compound, in an amount effective to reduce the formation of HF during the use of the catalyst system. The presence of the other Group VIII metal decreases the amount of hydrogen fluoride produced during the use of the catalyst system. The hydrogen fluoride originates from very low level degradation of the ligand. Also disclosed are novel catalyst solutions of the aforesaid catalyst system and the use of the catalyst system in the hydroformylation of olefins to produce aldehydes.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for dewatering an organic compound other than a carboxylic acid using a simulated moving bed (SMB) containing a solid with different absorptivities for water and the organic compound. The organic compound is fed into the SMB as an aqueous solution and desorbed with a desorbent other than water. The process is particularly useful for dewatering organic compounds produced by fermentation, biomass extraction, biocatalytic, and enzymatic processes.

Abstract: The present invention comprises the use of sulfite additives to reduce discoloration of L-ascorbic acid produced from acid or aqueous solutions of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. In one aspect, the present invention comprises a continuous process for producing L-ascorbic acid from an aqueous solution of 2-keto-L-gulonic acid. The use of sulfite additives reduces product stream color and improves product recovery by binding to high molecular weight reaction by-products. In a continuous process, the reaction stream is separated from residual sulfite and sulfite-bound by-products to produce a product stream enriched in aqueous ascorbic acid for recovery, and an enriched 2-keto-L-gulonic acid stream which is recycled to the reactor. The in situ use of sulfite additives during the reaction increases the overall yield of L-ascorbic acid, with no loss in selectivity of the synthesis.

Abstract: Disclosed are fibers and films prepared from polyesters of a dicarboxylic acid, preferably terephthalic acid, and a diol selected from 1,3-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, or 1,3-propanediol. The fibers and films contain a multifunctional epoxide additive and, optionally, an antioxidant, and show an increased dry heat stability when exposed to elevated temperatures in the presence of air while preserving excellent hydrolytic stability. Also disclosed is a process for stabilizing polyester fibers by melt blending a polyester and epoxide additive and melt spinning. The fibers and films are particularly useful in applications requiring elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of ascorbic acids from 2-keto-hexonic acids or 2-keto-hexonic acid derivatives using alkaline earth silicate catalysts. The process may be carried out in water, alcohols, or in a variety of polar or moderately polar solvents or solvent mixtures and provides for simple workup and purification of ascorbic acid products. The process generates no by-product salts and thus, does not require the steps of neutralization or the handling of salt by-products. The process is particularly suited for the continuous preparation of L-ascorbic acid from 2-keto-L-gulonic acid and its esters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of amines by continuously feeding a carboxamide, aqueous alkaline hypohalite, and aqueous alkaline hydroxide to a first reaction zone to form a N-halocarboxamide, measuring the concentration of at least one reaction component in the effluent from the first reaction zone, and using the result of that measurement to control the feed rate of at least one of the feed components of to achieve at least 90% conversion of the carboxamide in the first reaction zone. The effluent from the first reaction zone is fed continuously to a second reaction zone where it further reacts to form an aqueous solution of an amine. The effluent from the second reaction zone may be fed continuously to a distillation column. The process is particularly useful for the preparation of cyclopropylamine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the production of tertiary butyl esters by the reaction of a ketene and tertiary butyl alcohol containing a finite concentration of water. The process may be carried out in an absorber reactor with continuous recovery and purification of products by distillation. This process provides high-purity tertiary butyl acetate without the production of unwanted by-products found in many strong acid catalyzed processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxygen scavenging compositions comprising a) platelet particles having attached thereto at least one oxygen scavenging organic cation and b) at least one oxidation catalyst. The oxygen scavenging compositions of the present invention maybe readily incorporated into a variety of matrix polymers to create polymer composites, which display improved passive barrier and oxygen scavenging capabilities. Articles formed from these composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.

Abstract: A compositional blend of from about 50 to about 99 weight percent of a polyester and from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of an essentially, linear, random aliphatic-aromatic copolyester or branched and/or chain extended copolyester thereof is useful as a heat-shrinkable film.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of organoclays as additives to plasticizers to provide a plasticizer composition, to allow the mixing of the plasticizers with thermoplastic resins in the same process used to convert the resin formulation to finished product. The use of this invention eliminates the need for a preliminary compounding step to incorporate plasticizers into thermoplastics prior to extrusion or molding.