Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase carbonylation conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII metal selected from platinum or palladium, and tungsten which are associated with a solid catalyst support material.

Abstract: A process for purifying p-phenylenediamine color developers in their free-base form. The process includes subjecting a solution containing p-phenylenediamine-type free base color developer to short path distillation which includes at least one of falling film evaporator, thin film evaporator, wiped film evaporator, or short-path evaporator. Another aspect is a method for preparing an acid salt from a p-phenylenediamine free base color developer. The method includes the steps of: a) dissolving a purified p-phenylenediamine free base derived from the short path distillation process in an organic solvent; b) contacting the dissolved free base distillate with an appropriate mineral acid; and c) crystallizing the color developer in the acid salt form.

Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin associated with a solid carrier material.

Abstract: A stabilized solution of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of N-ethyl-N-2-(methanesulfonylaminoethyl)-2-methyl-p-phenylenediamine includes from about 10 to 40 weight percent of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of N-ethyl-N-2-(methane sulfonylaminoethyl)-2-methyl-p-phenylene-diamine; from about 30 to 70 weight percent of at least one photographically inactive water-miscible or water-soluble hydroxy-containing, organic solvent of the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of N-ethyl-N-2-(methane sulfonylaminoethyl)-2-methyl-p-phenylene-diamine; from about 5 to 40 weight percent water; and from about 1 to 40 weight percent of a preservative for the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of N-ethyl-N-2-(methane sulfonylaminoethyl)-2-methyl-p-phenylene-diamine, wherein the weight percentages are based on the total weight of the stabilized solution. Another aspect of the invention are processes for making stabilized p-phenylenediamine color developer solutions.

Abstract: A carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants including lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, such as ether and ester derivatives of the alcohols, and mixtures thereof in a vapor phase carbonylation process. The catalyst includes a solid component having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin which are associated with a solid catalyst support material and a vaporous halide component.

Abstract: A solid carbonylation catalyst useful for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants including lower alkyl alcohols and lower alkyl alcohol producing compositions in a vapor phase carbonylation process wherein the catalyst includes a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII metal selected from platinum or palladium, and tungsten which are associated with a solid catalyst support material.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing an alkyl ester to produce a carboxylic acid product and an ether product, the process includes the steps of introducing into a reaction zone of a reactive distillation column a feed containing the alkyl ester wherein the reaction zone is at a temperature and pressure to preferentially produce an ether from the ester; and recovering the ether and the carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Polymeric carpet and a method of making and recycling such carpet, the carpet having fibers, backing and extruded adhesive all of completely recyclable materials, the recycling being accomplished in one melting step, without a separation step.