Abstract: Mixtures of C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 aliphatic carboxylic acids or the sorbitan monoesters thereof, sorbitan monoacrylates in combination with nonpolar solvent systems are effective oil collecting agents for containing oil slicks floating on a water surface. The invention, therefore, describes a method whereby oil slicks floating on a water surface may be contracted by applying to the perimeter of the oil slick an effective amount of an oil collection agent as described above, whereby the surface area of said oil slick is reduced. After the size of the oil slick is reduced by means of the oil collection agent, the oil may then be physically removed from the water. An advantage of treating oil slicks in this manner is that the method aids in the removal of the oil completely from the water.

Abstract: Novel compositions of matter herein are claimed and may be represented by the general formula CuA.L, where CuA is a Cu(I) salt of medium to strong Bronsted acids and L is a ligand chosen from a variety of structural classes including phosphines, phosphites, phosphine sulfides, phosphine oxides, thiophosphates, thioureas or arsines. These compositions are liquid at ambient conditions and are useful for complexing a variety of complexible organic compounds such as olefins, diolefins, allenes, acetylenes, aromatics, carbon monoxide and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the use of trialkyl phosphines is found to improve the stability of CuAlCl.sub.4.aromatic systems when said systems are used in olefin complexing processes.

Abstract: Improved vinyl asbestos compositions comprising a vinyl chloride resin, plasticizer stabilizer, a hydrocarbon resin, asbestos, fillers, pigments and colorants and heat stabilizers wherein the improvement comprises the inclusion of a stabilizing amount of an anti-pinking additive selected from the group consisting of mono- and dicarboxylic acids having from 5 to 18 carbon atoms. In a preferred embodiment there is described an improved vinyl asbestos tile formula wherein the anti-pinking additive found most effective comprises neodecanoic acid and diethanolamine neodecanoate.