Abstract: A process for making trans-isocarveol, an intermediate useful in the manufacture of perillyl alcohol, is disclosed. The process comprises isomerizing a mixture comprising cis-limonene oxide (cis-LMO) and trans-limonene oxide (trans-LMO) in the presence of a phenolic modifier and a chromium catalyst. The process is performed at a temperature less than 220° C. to convert more than 50% of the cis-LMO to trans-isocarveol and less than 50% of the trans-LMO to cis-isocarveol. We surprisingly found that a mixture of cis- and trans-LMO can be selectively isomerized to produce mostly trans-isocarveol, which we discovered is the preferred isomer for making perillyl alcohol by direct isomerization.

Abstract: Catalyst components for the (co)polymerization of ethylene comprising Ti, Mg, halogen, ORI groups, where RI is a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group optionally containing heteroatoms, having ORI/Ti molar ratio in the range 0.1-1.5, a Mg/Ti molar ratio of less than 8, an amount of titanium, with respect to the total weight of said solid catalyst component, higher than 4% by weight characterized by a specific SS-NMR pattern are particularly useful for preparing narrow MWD crystalline ethylene polymers.

Abstract: Method of determining the melt mass flow rate of an ethylene polymer in the polymerization of ethylene or of ethylene with further comonomers, which is carried out at temperatures of from 140° C. to 350° C. and pressures of from 40 MPa to 350 MPa in a reactor to form the ethylene polymer and the ethylene polymer is subsequently cooled in a heat exchanger, which comprises: a) establishment of a correlation between the thermal conductivity of the ethylene polymer in the heat exchanger and the melt mass flow rate of the ethylene polymer, with the individual measurements each being carried out at an essentially constant melt mass flow rate, b) measurement of the thermal conductivity of an ethylene polymer in the heat exchanger c) calculation of the melt mass flow rate from the thermal conductivity measured in b) and the correlation established in a).

Abstract: A modified Ziegler-Natta catalyst system, a method for preparing the catalyst system, and a process for polymerizing an olefin in the presence of the catalyst system are disclosed. The catalyst system comprises a titanium or vanadium compound, an aluminum compound, and a 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide. Improved properties such as increased molecular weight are obtained.

Abstract: A process for making perillyl alcohol is disclosed. The process comprises isomerizing a starting material comprising trans-isocarveol at a temperature within the range of 100° C. to 220° C. in the presence of a Group 5 metal catalyst to produce perillyl alcohol. We surprisingly found that trans-isocarveol, which can be selectively produced from a commercially available mixture of cis- and trans-LMO, can be isomerized directly to perillyl alcohol. Yields of perillyl alcohol are improved when the isomerization is performed under an inert atmosphere and/or in the presence of a phenolic antioxidant. Performing the isomerization in the presence of a high-boiling alcohol and/or distilling the perillyl alcohol product from the reaction mixture in the presence of a high-boiling alcohol, enhances yields and maximizes catalyst use. The resulting distillation residue, which contains recovered Group 5 metal catalyst, is valuable for catalyzing additional trans-isocarveol isomerizations.

Abstract: A method of imparting a physiological cooling effect to a consumer product is disclosed. The method comprises formulating into the consumer product a composition comprising at least one lactoyl ester of menthyl lactate. Also disclosed is a method of providing physiological cooling by contacting skin or mucous membranes with the lactoyl ester compositions. Coolants comprising the lactoyl esters and additional coolants are also disclosed. The lactoyl esters are conveniently prepared from menthol and lactic acid.

Abstract: Process for preparing imine compounds, in which a carbonyl compound is reacted with a primary amine. The imine compound obtained in this way can be reacted further with a metalalkyl and subsequently a carbonyl compound to form an imine compound.

Abstract: A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an ?-olefin, hydrogen, and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported, dimethylsilyl-bridged bis(indenoindolyl)zirconium complex. The process has high catalyst activity and produces polyethylene having a broad molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst system comprising at least two different transition metal coordination compounds supported on an adduct containing magnesium halide and an organoaluminum compound and it relates to a polymerisation process in the presence of said catalyst system.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing menthyl lactate is disclosed. The method comprises combining water with a solution comprising menthyl lactate and a water-miscible organic solvent in amounts effective to precipitate menthyl lactate from the resulting aqueous mixture. The aqueous precipitation method is simple to practice, and it provides menthyl lactate having remarkably improved storage stability.

Abstract: Clear aqueous compositions comprising water, a hydrophobic organic compound, and from about 2 to about 50 wt. % of a solubilizer are disclosed. The solubilizer is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a monoester of a saturated C6-C20 alcohol and a saturated dicarboxylic acid. The monoester salts are remarkably effective for solubilizing a wide variety of hydrophobic organic compounds in water to provide aqueous compositions that have excellent stability and outstanding clarity. The compositions are valuable for the cosmetic, agrochemical, coatings, pharmaceutical, and flavor & fragrance industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing an essentially spherical support for olefin polymerization catalysts, which comprises the steps: preparation of a hydrogel comprising a cogel of silicon oxide and at least one further metal oxide, if appropriate, washing of the hydrogel until the content of alkali metal ions is less than 0.1% by weight, based on the weight of solids, extraction of the water from the hydrogel until the water content is less than 5% by weight, based on the total content of liquid, and drying of the hydrogel to form a xerogel. According to the invention, the extraction step comprises at least one first extraction with a first organic solvent which is at least partially miscible with water down to a water content of 50% by weight, followed by at least one second extraction with a second organic solvent which is at least partially miscible with water.

Abstract: A drycleaning method is disclosed. The method uses a composition comprising 30 to 90 wt. % of a dipropylene glycol C3-C4 alkyl ether, 5 to 65 wt. % of one or more C10-C15 hydrocarbons, and 1 to 10 wt. % of water. The method combines acceptable stain removal with faster-than-expected evaporability, particularly at the elevated temperatures used in commercial drycleaning.

Abstract: Cyclic ethers or chloroketones useful as fragrance components or intermediates are made by reacting a saturated, tertiary terpene alcohol with hypochloric acid under conditions effective to promote oxidation. trans-Pinanol gives predominantly 6,9-dimethyl-7-oxatricyclo[4.3.0.03,9]-nonane, while cis-pinanol yields almost exclusively 1-acetyl-3-(2-chloroethyl)-2,2-dimethylcyclobutane, a new and versatile intermediate for making cyclobutane derivatives having interesting and diverse aromas.

Abstract: A method for making siloxy-bridged ligand precursors and metallocene complexes is disclosed. Indanone enolates react with cyclopentadienylsilyl compounds to produce ligand precursors, which are reacted with a Group 3-10 transition metal source to generate metallocene complexes. The method provides simple, regioselective access to particular siloxy-bridged metallocenes starting from easily elaborated indanones.

Abstract: Ethylene copolymers valuable for films, coatings, sheets, and molded articles are disclosed. Some of the copolymers have a long-chain-branching index from 0.25 to 0.60 and a gpcBR index from 0.1 to 0.7. Others have a primary DSC melting point that is less than its secondary DSC melting point. Also disclosed is LLDPE in which the weight percentage of the low-temperature elution fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction, and wherein the Mw of the low-temperature fraction exceeds that of the high-temperature fraction. The ethylene copolymers process easily, even at low melt indices, and films from the copolymers have high stiffness, good impact resistance, and high heat-seal strength over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention provides, in one aspect, a physiological cooling composition comprising at least one cyclohexane carboxamide, at least one acyclic carboxamide, and at least one stereoisomer of menthyl lactate. In another aspect, disclosed is a method for producing such composition. In still another aspect, disclosed are various consumer products comprising a physiological cooling composition comprising at least one cyclohexane carboxamide, at least one acyclic carboxamide, and at least one stereoisomer of menthyl lactate.

Abstract: A process for making an alkylene glycol ether composition is disclosed. In one aspect, the process comprises reacting propylene glycol methyl ether (PM) with from 1.5 to 3 equivalents of propylene oxide (PO). The resulting alkoxylation mixture is distilled to provide a composition comprising at least 30 wt. % of TPM and less than 20 wt. % of DPM. In another process of the invention, DPM reacts with from 0.5 to 1.5 equivalents of PO in similar fashion to make an analogous product. Also disclosed are alkylene glycol ether compositions made by the process of the invention and use of the compositions in a method for recovering metals from metallic ores by froth flotation.

Abstract: Catalysts useful for epoxidizing olefins are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a vinylpyridine polymer and a titanium zeolite. Preferably, the vinylpyridine polymer encapsulates the titanium zeolite. The catalysts are easy to prepare and use, they are easy to recover and reuse, and they convert olefins to epoxides in good yields with high selectivity. Surprisingly, ring-opening reactions that form glycol or glycol ether by-products are minimized by using the vinylpyridine polymer-containing catalysts. The catalysts are valuable for making propylene oxide from propylene and hydrogen peroxide. Vinylpyridine polymer-encapsulated transition metals and their use to produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A practical, economical process for making tricyclodecenyl esters is disclosed. After reacting a lower carboxylic acid and a dicyclopentadiene in the presence of triflic acid to form the ester, the reaction mixture is distilled in the presence of a base to isolate a fragrance-quality tricyclodecenyl ester. Adding enough base to neutralize the triflic acid enables a distillation-only purification, facilitates starting material recovery, and avoids drawbacks of a basic workup.