Abstract: A process is described for the isolation, in a solid state, of polyimides particularly those prepared by interaction of a polyisocyanate and a polycarboxylic anhydride in an organic solvent. A solution of the polyimide is passed into water preferably in the form of droplets or as extruded thin strands. The droplets or strands can be chopped, ground or otherwise comminuted after solidification. The process is particularly applicable to the isolation of solvent-soluble polyimides prepared by reaction of benzophenone tetracarboxylic dianhydride with a mixture of methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) and toluene diisocyanate.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of phospholene-1-oxides and 1-sulfides having an aliphatic substituent in the 1-position, a double bond at the 2- or 3-positions and, optionally, having additional substituents at one or more of positions 2, 3, 4 or 5. The process comprises the reaction of a 1-(2-chloroalkoxy)-phospholene with the appropriate aliphatic alcohol or thiol optionally in the presence of an alkylation catalyst. Use of an aliphatic alcohol gives rise to a phospholene oxide while use of the corresponding thiol gives rise to a phospholene sulfide. The phospholene-1-oxides and 1-sulfides so obtained are useful as catalysts for the conversion of isocyanates to carbodiimides.

Abstract: 2,2'- AND 2,4'-DIAMINODIPHENYLMETHANE ARE SELECTIVELY REMOVED FROM ADMIXTURES THEREOF WITH THE 4,4'-ISOMER BY HEATING THE ISOMER MIXTURE AT 30.degree. TO 100.degree. C in the presence of styrene, .alpha.-alkylstyrenes, or the mono- or diamino nuclear substituted derivatives thereof and a catalyst (mineral acid, clays, diatomaceous earth, zeolites). The styrene or .alpha.-alkylstyrene can be employed as such or generated in situ from a precursor therefor. The process is particularly useful in facilitating the isolation of substantially pure 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane from the polyamine mixture obtained by condensation of aniline and formaldehyde.

Abstract: Poly(ester amides) are obtained by heating a hydroxyl-containing or hydroxyl-free polyester of malonic acid with an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of a basic catalyst. Crosslinking of the polyester takes place by reaction of the isocyanate with the active hydrogen of the CH.sub.2 group of the malonate to give amide linkages, in addition to formation of urethane linkages in the case where the polyester contains free hydroxyl groups. The products range from elastomeric materials, where the isocyanate is in the form of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer derived by reaction of an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol, to more rigid plastics where the isocyanate is a "simple" isocyanate, i.e. not in prepolymer form.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering phenylcyclohexane as principal product from dicyclohexylbenzenes by heating the latter in the presence of at least an equal amount by weight of benzene and an acid clay or zeolite catalyst at a temperature of 190.degree. - 400.degree.C. The period of heating is preferably controlled so that no significant cracking of the phenylcyclohexane is caused. The process is a useful adjunct to the known methods of production of phenylcyclohexane by hydrodimerization by benzene. The latter process gives significant amounts of dicyclohexylbenzenes as by-product. The present process enables this generally undesirable by-product to be converted to phenylcyclohexane thus increasing the overall yield of phenylcyclohexane from benzene in the hydrodimerization process.

Abstract: A process is described for converting scrap flexible polyurethane foam, derived from a polyether polyol, to a homogeneous mixture of polyols which can be used, alone or as a blend with other polyols, in the preparation of polyurethane foams. The process comprises heating the scrap foam with not more than its own weight of an aliphatic diol which has at least one alkyl substituent in the alkylene chain, and which optionally contains an oxygen atom in the alkylene chain. The scrap flexible foam can contain up to about 75 percent of scrap rigid or semi-flexible foam, if desired.

Abstract: The disclosure covers the preparation of the compound, 6.alpha.,9.alpha.-difluoro-11.beta.,17,21-trihydroxy-16.beta.-methylpregna -1,4-diene-3,20-dione 17.alpha.,21-diacetate, (1) and methods and formulations for its anti-inflammatory use topically, orally and parenterally.

Abstract: The compounds 4-azidocarbonylphthalic anhydride, 4-isocyanatophthalic anhydride, and the lower-alkyl carbamates obtained by reacting the latter isocyanate with a lower-aliphatic alcohol, are described. A process for the preparation of a polyimide by heating these compounds alone or in admixture with other polyisocyanates is also described. The 4-azidocarbonylphthalic anhydride is an intermediate for the 4-isocyanatophthalic anhydride.

Abstract: A photopolymerizable element for the preparation of relief printing plates. The element comprises an addition polymerizable monomer (e.g. trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate), a free radical initiator for polymerizing the monomer (e.g. benzophenone) and a polyester-based polyurethane binding agent which is the reaction product of 4,4'-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate), a polycaprolactone diol having a molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 2,500, and a mixture of at least two aliphatic diol extenders. Optionally the photopolymerizable element is provided with a support layer such as a polyester film or paper.Processes for the preparation of relief printing plates from said elements are also disclosed.

Abstract: A novel class of compounds is disclosed of the formula ##SPC1##Wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are lower-alkoxy or di(lower-alkyl)amino and R.sub.1 can be hydrogen and R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen, lower-alkoxy or di(lower-alkyl)amino and n is an integer from 1 to 5. The compounds are sensitizers for photosensitive compounds particularly polymers containing sulfonazido groups as the light-sensitive moiety.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for continuous mixing of formulations for urethane products. A hydroxyl mixture and isocyanate, the major foam components, are supplied to a mixer. In the mixer, the components are mixed by transverse shearing and agitation means. The degree of agitation is varied along the length of the mixer, which runs at a constant speed, by varying the shearing pin configuration. The flow path through the mixer is arranged to control pressure on the fluid as well as minimize the tendency of internal foam build-up to occur.