Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing amido-carboxylic acids in water. The process involves four steps. Step (A) involves hydrolyzing a lactam at a temperature of 150.degree. C.-300.degree. C. to form a mixture containing an amino acid. Step (B) involves cooling the reaction mixture formed in Step (A) to a temperature of 25.degree. C.-100.degree. C. Step (C) involves reacting a carboxylic acid anhydride with the amino acid formed in Step (A) to form a reaction mixture containing an organic layer which contains an amido-carboxylic acid and an aqueous layer. Step (D) involves separating the amido-carboxylic acid containing organic layer from the aqueous layer. The presence of water aids in product isolation by phase separation and recycle of the reactants. Amido-carboxylic acids are used to make bleach activators for detergents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to thermoformed plastic articles such as frozen food trays which exhibit unexpectedly high impact strength at low temperatures. The articles are obtained from polyester blends containing 88 to 99 weight percent of a poly(ethylene terephthalate) resin and 1 to 12 weight percent of a poly(1,4-cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) resin which contains at least 30 mole percent of 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cosmetic film forming composition which is freeze-thaw stable and is especially useful as a nail coating composition which upon drying forms a film which will adhere to keratin of a nail. More particularly, the present invention relates to cosmetic film forming compositions which consist of aqueous emulsion (A) which comprises a sulfopolyester and a copolymer of vinyl acetate and dialkyl maleate or fumarate; aqueous emulsion (B) which comprises an aqueous emulsion polymer of acetoacetoxyethyl alkylacrylate or the polymerization reaction product of acetoacetoxyethyl alkylacrylate with a vinylfunctional monomer; and (C) a freeze-thaw agent. The freeze-thaw agent imparts improved freeze-thaw properties to the composition without being detrimental to desirable properties such as fast drying time and good adhesive properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing copolyesters which involves two steps. The first step is a diol interchange step, and the second step is a polycondensation step. More specifically, the process involves (I) reacting in the presence of a polycondensation catalyst a dihydroxy terephthalate-containing compound having the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is 1 to 10 and at least 99% of the endgroups are ethylene glycol moieties; and 0.01 to 10 moles, based on moles of the dihydroxy terephthalate-containing compound, of a diol, and (II) polycondensing the reaction product of Step (I) to form a copolyester while excess diol is removed until desired molecular weight is obtained. This process does not include a transesterification of a dialkyl ester reaction or an esterification reaction which are usually used to produce copolyesters. Moreover, this process allows for polyethylene terephthalate and copolyesters prepared therefrom to be produced on an integrated production line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonate containing water-dispersible or water-dissipatible sulfo-polyester compositions. The sulfo-polyesters of the present invention have a glass transition temperature of greater than 89.degree. C. In addition, the sulfo-polyesters have a dicarboxylic acid component of poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate and a sulfo-monomer, and a diol component of at least 35 mole percent of a diol selected from ethylene glycol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, propane-1,2-diol and 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol. The sulfo-polyesters of this invention are useful in applications where increased abrasion resistance, inherent higher temperature process conditions, and improved blocking resistance are required such as in adhesives, coating materials, sizes, laminated products, aqueous printing inks, and films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sulfonate containing water-dispersible or water-dissipatible sulfopolyester compositions. The sulfopolyesters utilize at least two dicarboxylic acids, one of which is a naphthalene dicarboxylic acid. This combination of dicarboxylic acids allows for the sulfopolyesters to maintain glass transition temperatures (Tg) of greater than 89.degree. C. and exhibit lower melt viscosities than sulfopolyesters containing all naphthalenediyl units or all isophthtaloyl units. The sulfopolyesters of this invention are useful in applications where improved heat and blocking resistance is required.

Abstract: This invention relates to naphthalene dicarboxylic acids or naphthalene dicarboxylic esters substituted with aroyl groups. More particularly, this invention relates to the following compounds: dialkyl 1-benzoyl-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate, 7-C1-C.sub.8 -alkoxycarbonyl-1-C1-Cs-alkoxy-l-aryl(1,3-H.sub.2 naphtho {1,2-c} furan-3-ones), and dialkyl 1-(2-naphthoyl)-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate. The compounds are useful in any polymer composition where dicarboxylic acids or dicarboxylic esters are used especially in poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) compositions where reduced fluorescence is desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing copolyester fibers having reduced spinning defects. More particularly, the invention relates to fibers having improved quality prepared from blends of certain poly(ethylene terephthalate) compositions modified with 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol by melt spinning to produce filaments with decreased spinning defects while maintaining the chemical resistance, abrasion resistance, electrical and mechanical properties normally associated with copolyesters. These polymer blends when heated provide a fiber-forming polymer melt/dope which has excellent flowability and produces high quality fiber when subjected to conventional melt spinning, drawing, texturing, etc. Staple fibers prepared from the polymer blends of the invention when made into high loft battings have excellent fiberfill performance properties, particularly resilience and compression recovery.

Abstract: The present invention relates to poly(ester-ether) compositions and to a process for their preparation. In particular, the invention relates to poly(ester-ether) compositions obtained by reacting a polyester which is prepared from a dicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic diol with a dihydroxy aromatic compound in the presence of a metal catalyst. Incorporation of the dihydroxy aromatic compound into the polyester chain causes an increase in the Tg value and increases the thermal stability of the polyester. These poly(ester-ether) compositions are useful in molded articles of all types.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polyester/polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property and an improved flavor retaining property, and clarity. More particularly, the present invention relates to a polyethylene terephthalate/low molecular weight polyamide blend having an excellent gas barrier property, in which by reducing the concentration of acetaldehyde contained in the polyester, the storage property of a food or the like and the flavor-retaining property and fragrance retaining property are highly improved without producing haze.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing aminoacetonitriles in one vessel. The process involves the steps of: (A) reacting an alkali metal cyanide with an aldehyde in water to form a cyanohydrin; (B) extracting the cyanohydrin formed in Step (A) into a water immiscible solvent to form a two phase system comprising a water immiscible phase containing the cyanohydrin and an aqueous phase; (C) removing at least 50 weight percent, based on the weight of the water immiscible phase, of the water immiscible solvent from the water immiscible phase thereby concentrating the cyanohydrin; (D) adding a water miscible amide solvent to the concentrated cyanohydrin to form a cyanohydrin solution; and (E) passing ammonia through the cyanohydrin solution to obtain an aminoacetonitrile. Aminoacetonitriles are important intermediates in the preparation of amino acids, thiadiazoles, acylaminoacetonitriles, and imidazole derivatives.

Abstract: This invention relates to two processes for preparing aminoacetonitriles in one vessel under anhydrous conditions. Process I involves the steps of: (A) reacting trimethylsilyl cyanide and an aldehyde in a water miscible amide solvent to obtain a silyl blocked cyanohydrin solution; (B) adding a catalytic amount of water to the silyl blocked cyanohydrin solution from Step (A); and (C) passing ammonia through the solution to obtain an aminoacetonitrile. Process II involves the steps of: (A') reacting trimethylsilyl cyanide with an aldehyde in the absence of solvent to form a silyl blocked cyanohydrin; (B') adding a water miscible amide solvent to the silyl blocked cyanohydrin from Step (A') to obtain a solution; and (C') passing ammonia through the solution to obtain an aminoacetonitrile. Aminoacetonitriles are important intermediates in the preparation of amino acids, thiadiazoles, acylaminoacetonitriles, and imidazole derivatives.

Abstract: This invention relates to hair spray formulations which eliminate flaking. The hair spray formulations are based on (1) a sulfonate-containing, water-dispersible or water-dissipatible, linear polyester having a glass transition temperature of 33.degree. C. to 60.degree. C., (2) a polyethylene glycol ester of a mixture of caprylic and capric acids, (3) an alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and (4) water or a water/alcohol mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing poly(ethylene-2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) polymers wherein a low concentrations of an alkali metal salt is present. More specifically, 15 ppm to 100 ppm of an alkali metal derived from an alkali metal salt is added in the melt polymerization reaction mixture during formation of such polymers. The polymers are useful in applications where improved hydrolytic stability at elevated temperatures and high humidity (>50% relative humidity) are required.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for beneficiating a silicious phosphate ore by flotation, the process comprising the steps of conditioning an aqueous slurry of phosphate ore at a pH of from 7.5 to 10.5 with a fatty acid and a fuel oil and aerating the conditioned phosphate slurry to float the phosphate, the improvement comprising conditioning the aqueous phosphate slurry prior to aeration with a water dispersible sulfo-polyester having a glass transition temperature of 28.degree. C. to 60.degree. C. and consisting essentially of repeat units from a dicarboxylic acid, a diol and a difunctional sulfomonomer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) composition having reduced fluorescence. More specifically, the composition contains poly(ethylene 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylate) with 0.1 to 5 mole percent of a copolymerizable aromatic ketone. The polyesters are useful for packaging applications where clarity and/or aesthetic appeal are of concern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for copolymerizing a dicarboxylic acid, a dialkyl ester, and a diol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst. The process involves heating a mixture containing carboxylic acids and esters in excess diol at elevated temperatures in the presence of a transesterification catalyst and returning any vaporized diol to the reaction vessel until the theoretical amount of alcohol and/or water have been evolved. The alcohol and/or water of reaction is not allowed to return to the vessel. When the theoretical weight of alcohol and/or water is collected, the excess diol is removed and the polymerization is allowed to proceed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing aqueous blends of sulfo-polyesters and solid acrylic resins without volatile organic compounds (VOC's) and surfactants. More specifically, the acrylic resins are characterized by an inverse relationship between the molecular weight and acid number of the resin, and the sulfo-polyesters contain at least 12 mole percent of a difunctional sulfomonomer. The aqueous sulfo-polyester/acrylic resin blends of the present invention are useful in inks, overprint varnishes, primers, paints, and coatings.

Abstract: This invention relates to spinnerets having orifices of unique cross-sections, the spinnerets being useful for extruding therethrough filaments having "U" and "E" shaped cross-sections with stabilizing legs. The use of strategically placed stabilizing legs allow the filaments to maintain the desired shape. The "U" shaped filament cross-section provides improved drainage over previous filament cross-sections.

Abstract: This invention relates to aerosol hair spray formulations based on (1) a sulfonate-containing, water-dispersible or water-dissipatible, linear polyester having a glass transition temperature of about 36.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C. and (2) a water-soluble, polyvinyl lactam polymer. In addition, the formulations contain water as the liquid vehicle and a propellant. Such aerosol hair spray formulations do not contain any volatile organic compounds other than propellant yet exhibit fast drying times and excellent performance characteristics.