Abstract: A method for treating fiber insulation to minimize the formation of dust and airborne particulate and waterproofing calcium silicate by applying to the insulation an aqueous composition containing certain water-dispersible polymers. The method is especially useful when used in conjunction with the removal of installed insulation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of quinones by the catalytic oxidation of aromatic diols with a peroxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of ceric trihydroxyhydroperoxide.

Abstract: Disclose are polyester color concentrates, especially amorphous and partially-crystalline, polyester color concentrates, comprising a polyester having copolymerized therein colored residues of at least one polyester-reactive, thermally-stable methine colorant compound. The color concentrates may be used to impart yellow shades and colors to various polymeric materials, shaped articles fabricated of and coatings formulated from such polymeric materials and, especially, personal, medical and home care products where non-extractability of the colorant material is essential. Also disclosed are colored semicrystalline powders derived from the color concentrates.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of 3,4-dichloro- and 3,4-dibromo-1,2-epoxybutane by the reaction of 3,4-epoxy-1-butane with chlorine or bromine in the presence of a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium halide compound. The reaction preferably is carried out by the addition of 3,4-epoxy-1-butane and chlorine or bromine to an organic, halogenation solvent containing chlorine or bromine and the quaternary compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an oxidative process for recovering rhodium catalyst values from "tars" formed during the preparation of acetic anhydride by the rhodium catalyzed carbonylation of a mixture of methyl iodide and methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether. The disclosed process includes the treatment of a tar/methyl iodide solution, which contains rhodium values normally not extracted by aqueous hydrogen iodide, with a solution of hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid.

Abstract: Unsaturated ketones such as mesityl oxide may be removed from acetic anhydride, or mixtures of acetic anhydride and acetic acid, by heating a solution comprising (1) acetic anhydride, or a mixture of acetic anhydride and acetic acid, (2) an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ketone, (3) ferrous (Fe II) and/or cobaltous (Co II) ion, (4) a cation selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, quaternary organoammonium, quaternary organophosphonium and mixtures thereof, and (5) iodide ion.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain ketoxime-blocked polyisocyanates and polyester compositions containing the ketoxime-blocked polyisocyanates. Also disclosed are thermosetting powder coating compositions comprising one or more polyesters and at least one of the ketoxime-blocked polyisocyanates and articles coated with the powder coating compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the continuous production of aromatic carboxylic acids such as terephthalic acid by the liquid-phase oxidation of an alkyl aromatic compound using an oxygen-containing gas. Operation of the process is improved by providing a spray of recycled reaction medium at or near the top of a columnar oxidation vessel to minimize entrainment of liquid and/or solid components of the reactor in the process off-gas.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for the isomerization of epoxyalkenes to dihydrofurans by contacting an epoxyalkene with a catalyst comprising a quaternary organic onium iodide compounds, optionally deposited on a non-acidic support and/or in combination with a Lewis acid co-catalyst. The catalyst may comprise a supported catalyst, an unsupported catalyst or a solution of the catalytically-active components in an inert, organic solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel catalyst composition comprising a catalyst support material having deposited thereon elemental silver and a promoter selected from potassium, rubidium and cesium which are obtained by treating a catalyst precursor comprising a porous catalyst support material having deposited thereon a silver compound and a promoter selected from compounds of potassium, rubidium and cesium, with a gas comprising (i) hydrogen or (ii) an inert gas containing at least about 4 volume percent hydrogen at elevated temperatures. The disclosed catalysts are particularly useful in the partial oxidation of butadiene to produce 1,2-epoxy-3-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed are polyesters comprised primarily of residues of 4,4'-biphenyldicarboxylic acid, ethylene glycol and 1,4-butanediol. Articles injection-molded from the polyesters exhibit a unique combination of properties including unusually high tensile strength and excellent heat resistance, flexural modulus and resistance to chemicals and solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for the preparation of epoxyalkanes and epoxycycloalkanes which comprises hydrogenating .gamma.,.delta.-epoxyalkenes or .gamma.,.delta.-epoxycycloalkenes in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The process is especially useful for the preparation of 1,2-epoxybutane from 3,4-epoxy-1-butene.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of quinones by the catalytic oxidation of aromatic diols with a peroxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a cerium carboxylate and a cupric carboxylate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of quinones by the catalytic oxidation of aromatic diols with a peroxide in the presence of a catalytic amount of certain cerium carboxylate salts.

Abstract: Method for the conversion of carbon dioxide to a carbon monoxide-rich synthesis gas mixture is disclosed. The invention method comprises contacting carbon dioxide with at least one hydrocarbon in the presence of a catalyst consisting essentially of a metal selected from platinum of palladium supported on an alumina or silica-alumina support which is stable under the reaction conditions. The invention reaction is typically carried out at a temperature in the range of about 650.degree. C. up to 1000.degree. C. at a gas hourly space velocity in the range of about 100 up to 50,000 volumes per hour.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of poly(ester-carbonates) wherein (1) an aromatic diol, (2) methyl phenyl carbonate and (3) an alkyl carboxylate ester component selected from an aromatic dicarboxylate ester, a hydroxy aromatic carboxylate ester or a mixture thereof are contacted in the presence of a transesterification/polycondensation catalyst under transesterification/polycondensation conditions of pressure and temperature.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of biaryl compounds is disclosed which comprises contacting an aromatic halide in the presence of a catalyst comprising zerovalent nickel, a bidentate phosphorus-containing coordinating ligand and a reducing metal in a polar, aprotic solvent system for a time and under conditions suitable for the formation of biaryl compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved process for the removal of acetone from a production system wherein acetic anhydride is produced by contacting a mixture containing methyl iodide and methyl acetate and/or dimethyl ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst or catalyst system. The process involves a water-methyl iodide extraction step wherein acetone is separated from a mixture of methyl acetate, methyl iodide and acetone.

Abstract: Disclosed are certain poly-methine compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein each R.sup.1 is independently selected from cyano; carboxy; alkenyloxycarbonyl; an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkoxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted, carbocyclic or heterocyclic aryl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted alkanoyl, cycloalkanoyl or aroyl radical; an unsubstituted or substituted carbamoyl radical; or an unsubstituted or substituted alkylsulfonyl, cycloalkylsulfonyl or arylsulfonyl radical; each R.sup.2 is independently selected from cyano or an unsubstituted or substituted alkoxycarbonyl, cycloalkoxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl radical; each A is independently selected from an unsubstituted or substituted 1,2-phenylene or 1,2-naphthylene radical; each Z is independently selected from --O-- or --S--; and L is an organic linking group bonded by non-oxo carbon atoms to each Z atom.

Abstract: Disclosed are liquid-dispersible colorant compositions and stable aqueous dispersions of such colorant materials. The colorant is a polymeric colorant comprising a water-insoluble, polymeric colorant comprising a polyester having copolymerized therein residue of one or more monomeric, organic colorant compounds.