Abstract: Processes for preparing 1-dichloroacyl-4-(substituted phenoxy)benzenes and intermediates therefor. The processes are characterized by the use of certain catalysts, solvents and reaction conditions which afford improved yields and reaction products which can be purified by simple procedures (e.g. extraction, crystallization, etc.). The processes are especially applicable to manufacturing large quantities of the aforementioned compounds. The products are useful as mite ovacides.

Abstract: Compounds having the formula ##STR1## wherein one of X or Y is chloro and the other is trifluoromethyl or wherein X is hydrogen and Y is chloro and methods of preparing said compounds.The compounds can be prepared by the reaction of the corresponding 1-acetyl substrate with chlorine or sulfuryl chloride and are useful as mite ovacides.

Abstract: A plasticized sulfur composition comprising at least 75 weight percent sulfur, 0.2 to 5 weight percent of an essentially linear alpha-olefin having 6 to 14 carbon atoms as sulfur plasticizer, and 5 to 20 weight percent of a solid filler.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl or halo; R.sup.3 is hydrogen or alkyl; Z is halo; and R.sup.4 is alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxy, phenyl, substituted phenyl,a group of the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl; a group of the formula ##STR3## wherein R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 are hydrogen and alkyl; a five or six-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring of the formula ##STR4## wherein at least one of V, W, X or Y is an oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen atom, R.sup.9 is alkyl and n is 0, 1, 2 or 3 have herbicidal and plant-growth-regulating activity.

Abstract: The polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone is achieved in high yield in the presence of a sodium-derived catalyst activator produced by the reaction of carbon dioxide with the sodium lactamate derived from the reaction of a sodium alkoxide and a 5-7 membered-ring lactam in an inert liquid nonsolvent.

Abstract: Poly-2-pyrrolidone compositions having improved thermal stability via the incorporation of an organic isocyanate or a thermal precursor thereof and methods of melt-extruding, and especially melt spinning such compositions.

Abstract: Fungicidal oxadithiadiazapentalenes of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R' are independently hydroxy or lower alkyl; R.sup.1 is hydrogen or lower alkyl; R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each, independent of the other, hydrogen, halogen, alkenyl, hydroxy, hydroxyalkenyl, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, alkoxyalkenyl, alkylthio, or haloalkyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and from 1 to 4 halogen atoms or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 together are alkylidiene, alkoxyalkenyl or together with the carbon atom to which they are joined form a cycloalkyl group; and R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independent of the other hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, or dialkylamino. The compounds can be prepared by reacting sulfur chloride with the appropriate substituted N-cyanoalkylenecarboxyamide corresponding to the substituent desired at the 2-position of the compounds. The compounds are useful for controlling plant fungus; especially Grape Downy Mildew fungus and Tomato Late Blight fungus.

Abstract: A hand-held splicing device for melt butt splicing thermoplastic yarns or tapes together.The splicing device comprises two-yarn clamping means, a diagonally positioned heat cutting element; means for bringing two clamped yarns in diagonal contact with the melting element and means for simultaneously lifting the severed yarns away from the cutting element and buttwise joining the melted ends together thereby fusing the yarns together. The device and mode of operation are characterized by convenience and ease of operation and afford a small strong splice especially desirable for carpet tufting operations.

Abstract: A compound having the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 is lower alkyl, lower alkenyl, lower alkynyl, lower alkoxyalkylene, cyclopentyl, or cyclohexyl, and the other is aryl or substituted aryl; R.sup.2 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.2 haloalkyl; R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 can, each independent of the other, be any of the substituents R and R.sup.1 collectively can be and one of R.sup.3 or R.sup.4 can also be hydrogen or R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 together with the nitrogen atom to which they are joined can be piperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl or morpholinyl.The compounds can be prepared by reaction of the corresponding 1'-chloroalkylimidazolidine with the appropriate primary or secondary amine.The compounds are useful as fungicides and selective herbicides.

Abstract: Intimate alloys of polypyrrolidone and hydrophobic linear polyesters and polyamides and processes for preparing such alloys. The intimate alloys comprise a major portion of polypyrrolidone and a minor amount of certain hydrophobic linear polymer additive and are characterized by improved fiber-textile properties. The intimate alloys are prepared by coprecipitation or by polymerizing polypyrrolidone from a mixture containing 2-pyrrolidone, alkaline catalyst and finely divided polymer additive.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for bounce crimp texturizing thermoplastic yarn. The process and apparatus are characterized by a uniqe control system wherein either yarn thickness or a minute accumulation of the yarn discharged from the texturizer is sensed and the tension on the yarn controlled in response thereto so as to permit the yarn to issue from the texturizer in a loosely compacted tensionless state without significant intermediate yarn accumulation or piling prior to being continuously wound into packages.By eliminating substantial intermediate accumulation or piling of the yarn, the process and apparatus substantially reduce tangles, thereby reducing breakage and random crimpless lengths produced by the pulling on the yarn caused by these tangles.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing nitric acid. The process is characterized by the steps of (1) contacting gaseous nitrogen dioxide with feed water to yield aqueous liquid nitric acid and a gaseous by-product; (2) contacting the gaseous by-product with ammonia and water to yield a decontaminated gaseous effluent and an aqueous liquid by-product comprising aqueous ammonium nitrate, ammonium nitrite and nitric acid, and (3) feeding the liquid product to the first step above and reducing the amount of said feed water up to an amount equivalent to the water fed in the liquid product. The process is characterized by substantially reduced water consumption and improved pollution control economics and by the innocuous disposal of the hazardous ammonium nitrite.

Abstract: The process of making a catalyst for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone by contacting an alkali metal pyrrolidonate, a quaternary ammonium carboxylate and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An improved process for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone provides high-molecular-weight poly-2-pyrrolidone at higher rates of conversion by effecting the alkaline-catalyzed polymerization in the presence of a synergistic activator consisting of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: An alkaline-catalyzed process for preparing poly-2-pyrrolidone characterized by the step of treating the polypyrrolidone reaction product mixture with an acid to prevent polymer agglomeration and prevent base-catalyzed polymer degradation. In another embodiment, unreacted poly-2-pyrrolidone is recovered by washing the acid-treated polymer reaction product mixture with water and the resulting wash water recovered, treated with further acid, and then subjected to a two-stage evaporation process. Poly-2-pyrrolidone is known as nylon 4, and can be shaped into filaments and various molded articles.

Abstract: Certain aryl esters of bis-arylphosphonous acid are thermal stabilization additives for solid polypyrrolidone at the melt temperature.

Abstract: C.sub.2 -C.sub.30 alkylamines admixed in small quantities with polypyrrolidone substantially improve the extrudability of the polymer.

Abstract: In the preparation of a catalyst for the alkaline-catalyzed polymerization of pyrrolidone, an alkali metal alkoxide is contacted with excess 2-pyrrolidone and the product alcohol is removed by passing an inert gas through the reaction mixture at high temperatures.

Abstract: The anionic polymerization of lactam is activated by the presence of crown ethers which are macrocyclic polyethers having the ability to form stable complexes with salts.

Abstract: Alkyl epoxides are thermal stabilization additives for normally solid polypyrrolidone at melt temperatures.