Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved gas phase process for the selective epoxidation of non-allylic olefins wherein the epoxidation is carried out in the presence of certain inert, paraffin hydrocarbons. Such hydrocarbons possess higher heat capacities as compared to other materials, e.g., nitrogen, argon, methane and helium, typically used as inert diluents in olefin epoxidations. The disclosed process is particularly useful for the continuous manufacture of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene from 1,3-butadiene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds wherein at least one of the aryl radicals is substituted with an alkyl group. Also disclosed is the preparation of alkyl(diaryl)phosphine compounds which are obtained by the reaction of the alkali metal diarylphosphide compounds with alkyl halide alkylating agents.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when a 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane monomer is copolymerized with an imidized maleic anhydride (for example, maleimide) monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator. Alternatively, a maleamic acid or maleimide functionality may be introduced into a copolymer containing a 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane and maleic anhydride by introducing a primary amine into the reaction mixture. Also, the dioxolane reactant may be introduced into the polymer by reacting 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in a ketone reaction solvent. The structure and composition of the product copolymer are controlled by both the sequence and conditions of the reaction. Products of this invention can be cast as clear films and can also be used as reactive polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyester adhesive compositions which exhibit increased melt viscosity and improved adhesion comprised of residues of terephthalic acid, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol and having reacted therewith or copolymerized therein the residue of a phosphite ester compound and optionally containing a phenolic antioxidant. Also disclosed are articles coated with the polyester compositions and bonded laminate articles based on the compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are catalyst compositions comprised of the oxides of copper, zinc, and a third element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, and mixtures thereof, and the use of such catalyst compositions in the hydrogenation of carbonyl compounds such as carboxylate esters to obtain the alcohol corresponding to the acid residue of the ester.

Abstract: Disclosed are bis-phosphine compounds having the general formula ##STR1## wherein: each of A.sup.1, A.sup.2, A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 is an arylene radical wherein (i) each phosphorus atom P is bonded to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.1 and A.sup.2 and to a ring carbon atom of A.sup.3 and A.sup.4, (ii) A.sup.1 and A.sup.2, and A.sup.3 and A.sup.4 are bonded to each other by ring carbon atoms and (iii) each of the residues ##STR2## constitutes a 5-membered ring; each of A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 is an arylene radical wherein A.sup.5 and A.sup.6 are bonded to each other and to residues R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 by ring carbon atoms and R.sup.1 --C--R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 --C--R.sup.4 are connected to each other through a chain of 4 carbon atoms; andR.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 each represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical containing up to about 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the preparation of 4,4'-bis(2-benzoxazolyl)stilbene compounds by the reaction of 4,4'-stilbenedicarboxylic acid with 2-aminophenol compounds in the presence of a tin or titanium catalyst and certain solvents.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when a 3,4-epoxy-1-butene monomer is copolymerized with a maleimide monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator. The copolymerization involves both 1,2-propagation and 1,4-propagation of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene. Products of this invention can be cast as clear films and can also be used as reactive polymers.

Abstract: A method of forming 4-amino-2-buten-1-ol using 3,4-epoxy-1-butene is disclosed. A nitrogen nucleophile (e.g., an amine) is reacted with 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in the presence of a polymer-bound complex of palladium having up to four phosphine ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed are a class of phenolic-hydrazide compounds of diverse structure which are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins. The phenolic-hydrazide compounds inhibit oxidative degradation of polyolefins which is attributable to heat and/or ultraviolet light and is promoted or accelerated by metals, e.g., copper, in contact with the polyolefin.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a dimethyl cyclohexanedicarboxylate by the hydrogenation of the analogous dimethyl benzenedicarboxylate ester in the presence of a class of palladium on alumina catalysts which have a unique combination of characteristics. The use of the catalysts permits the process to be carried out at significantly lower process pressures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the manufacture of 2,5-dihydrofurans by the isomerization of .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes in the liquid phase in the presence of a catalyst system comprising an onium iodide compound and a Lewis acid and a process solvent comprising a mixture of the 2,5-dihydrofuran product of the process and an oligomer of the .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes reactant.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved processes for the recovery of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EpB) from an epoxidation effluent comprising EpB, butadiene, oxygen and butane obtained by the selective epoxidation of butadiene with an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst and an inert gas. EpB is separated from the effluent by means of an absorption process using liquid mixture of butadiene and butane as the absorbent material. The inclusion of butane in the epoxidation and recovery processes permits the use of lower pressures in the absorption of the EpB product.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when a 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane monomer is copolymerized with an imidized maleic anhydride (for example, maleimide) monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator. Alternatively, a maleamic acid or maleimide functionality may be introduced into a copolymer containing a 4-vinyl-1,3-dioxolane and maleic anhydride by introducing a primary amine into the reaction mixture. Also, the dioxolane reactant may be introduced into the polymer by reacting 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in a ketone reaction solvent. The structure and composition of the product copolymer are controlled by both the sequence and conditions of the reaction. Products of this invention can be cast as clear films and can also be used as reactive polymers.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when a 4-vinyl-1,3 dioxolane monomer is copolymerized with an imidized maleic anhydride (for example, maleimide) monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator. Alternatively, a maleamic acid or maleimide functionally may be introduced into a copolymer containing a 4-vinyl-1,3 dioxolane and maleic anhydride by introducing a primary amine into the reaction mixture. Also, the dioxolane reactant may be introduced into the polymer by reacting 3,4-epoxy-1-butene in a ketone reaction solvent. The structure and composition of the product copolymer are controlled by both the sequence and conditions of the reaction. Products of the present invention can be cast as clear films and can also be used as reactive polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed are a class of phenolic-hydrazide compounds of diverse structure which are useful as stabilizers for polyolefins. The phenolic-hydrazide compounds inhibit oxidative degradation of polyolefins which is attributable to heat and/or ultraviolet light and is promoted or accelerated by metals, e.g., copper, in contact with the polyolefin.

Abstract: Copolymers are produced when a 3,4-epoxy-1-butene monomer is copolymerized with a maleimide monomer in the presence of a free radical initiator. The copolymerization involves both 1,2-propagation and 1,4-propagation of 3,4-epoxy-1-butene. Products of this invention can be cast as clear films and can also be used as reactive polymers.

Abstract: A distillation process for the separation of acetic anhydride from a mixture thereof with ethylidene diacetate wherein the mixture of acetic anhydride and ethylidene diacetate is fed to the mid section of a distillation column and a small amount of acetic acid is fed separately to the lower section of the column. The addition of the acetic acid suppresses tar formation during the distillation process.

Abstract: Disclosed is a continuous process for the preparation of acetic anhydride which comprises carbonylating a mixture comprising (i) methyl iodide and (ii) methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether in the presence of a rhodium catalyst and a promoter wherein the concentration of mesityl oxide in the carbonylation mixture is suppressed by the presence therein of at least 100 ppm of dissolved ferrous and/or cobaltous ion.