Abstract: The process of making a catalyst for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone by contacting a phosphonium halide, an alkali metal pyrrolidonate and carbon dioxide in a mol ratio of about 1:0.1-2:0.1-0.5 and the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone with said catalyst. The alkali metal pyrrolidonate may be prepared by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with 2-pyrrolidone. The polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone in the presence of ths catalyst system produces poly-2-pyrrolidone of high molecular weight.

Abstract: Processes for preparing 3-cyanopropanol and 2-pyrrolidone. The processes are characterized by the step of reacting 3-cyanopropanal with hydrogen in the presence of an especially prereduced copper-chromite catalyst to afford high yields of high-purity 3-cyanopropanol.

Abstract: Processes for the anionic polymerization of lactam accelerated by the presence of nitrothiophene and certain derivatives thereof. The processes are especially applicable to the preparation of poly-2-pyrrolidone which can be molded into filaments, films, and shaped articles in general.

Abstract: Herbicidal and fungicidal oxadithiadiazapentalenes of the formula ##STR1## wherein X is halo and R is alkyl, haloalkyl, halovinyl, cycloalkyl, thiocayanatoalkyl, aryl, aryloxy, arylthiomethyl, aryloxymethyl, benzylthiomethyl, benzyloxymethyl or heterocyclic are prepared by reacting a sulfur halide and an N-cyanomethylcarboxamide of the formula ##STR2## wherein R is as defined above.

Abstract: Processes for the anionic polymerization of lactam accelerated by the presence of certain triarylmethyl halides. The processes are especially applicable to the preparation of poly-2-pyrrolidone which can be molded into filaments, films, and shaped articles in general.

Abstract: Processes for the anionic polymerization of lactam accelerated by the presence of nitrobenzene and/or certain derivatives thereof. The processes are especially applicable to the preparation of poly-2-pyrrolidone which can be molded into filaments, films, and shaped articles in general.

Abstract: Processes for copolymerizing 2-pyrrolidone and caprolactam to yield a copolymer which can be formed into useful shaped articles, e.g., filaments. The processes are characterized by the use of both a crown ether and an N-acyl pyrrolidone activator and the use of a limited copolymerization temperature range.

Abstract: Certain polyhydric alcohols are thermal stabilization additives for normally solid polypyrrolidone at melt temperatures.

Abstract: The process of making a catalyst for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone by contacting an alkali metal pyrrolidonate, a quaternary ammonium halide and carbon dioxide in a mol ratio of about 1:0.1-2:0.1-0.5. The alkali metal pyrrolidonate may be prepared by reacting an alkali metal hydroxide with 2-pyrrolidone. The polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone in the presence of this catalyst system produces poly-2-pyrrolidone of high molecular weight.

Abstract: A process for producing N-acyl-2-pyrrolidone which comprises a contacting N-acyl allylamine with carbon monoxide in the presence of an aliphatic carboxylic acid solvent and a homogeneous catalyst of palladium or platinum coordinated with triphenylphosphine. According to a preferred embodiment, the acyl group is removed from the N-acyl-2-pyrrolidone by contacting and heating the N-acyl-2-pyrrolidone with allylamine to thereby effect transacylation and obtain product 2-pyrrolidone and N-acyl-allylamine as a recycle feed stream. Alternatively, N-acyl-2-pyrrolidone can be hydrolyzed to 2-pyrrolidone and the carboxylic acid derived from the acyl group.

Abstract: Poly-2-pyrrolidone compositions having improved resistance to thermal reversion to pyrrolidone via the incorporation of certain polyesters and methods of melt extruding such compositions.

Abstract: The process of making catalyst for the alkaline catalyzed polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, in which an alkali metal is contacted with a 5-7 membered-ring lactam and the product alkali metal lactamate is obtained by distillation in the residuum containing about 50-95% of the total lactam. The alkali metal lactamate so obtained is used as a catalyst in the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, or may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an adduct which finds use as an activator in the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone.

Abstract: An annularly segmented generally cylindrical pick-up container is disclosed for use in combination with bounce crimping apparatus which texturizes a multi-filament yarn of synthetic resinous material. The container includes a plurality of annular baffles which divide the container into a corresponding plurality of substantially annular chambers. The container is rotated while a texturized multi-filament yarn of synthetic resinous material is deposited into the annular chambers. As one chamber becomes full, the rotational axis of the container is moved to a new position so that the texturized material will begin filling the next radially outwardly adjacent annular chamber.

Abstract: 2-Pyrrolidone is continuously polymerized to a high-molecular-weight particulate product by the stirred polymerization of the carbonated alkaline polymerizate. The polymerizate is prepared by contacting an aqueous hydroxide with excess 2-pyrrolidone, maintaining the resultant alkaline mixture at an elevated temperature for sufficient time to reduce the 2-pyrrolidone dimer content of the mixture to within the desired limits, dehydrating the alkaline mixture to reduce the water content to within the desired limits, and contacting the alkaline mixture with carbon dioxide to form the carbonated alkaline polymerizate. The paste of particular polypyrrolidone and liquid polymerizate is continuously withdrawn from the reactor, neutralized with aqueous acid and washed with warm water.

Abstract: In the preparation of a catalyst for the alkalinecatalyzed 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: Moisture-containing nylon-4 powder is treated under heat and pressure to produce a solid material of bulk density suitable for melt-spinning.

Abstract: Film extrusion-fibrillation and film extrusion-narrow slitting processes for preparing fibrillated or narrow-width thermoplastic tape. The process is characterized by conducting the extrusion-orientation stage and the slitting or fibrillation stage as separate operations, thereby minimizing process disruptions caused by film defects and breakage, and further characterized by certain film shrinkage and heat treatment modifications which facilitate such separate stage operation. The fibrillated tapes can be twisted into cordage products. The narrow-width tapes are used to make carpet backing and indoor-outdoor carpet.

Abstract: In an improved process for making catalyst for the alkaline-catalyzed polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone, potassium metal is contacted with a 5-7 membered-ring lactam and the product, potassium lactamate, is substantially isolated. The potassium lactamate so-derived finds use as a catalyst in the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone or may be contacted with carbon dioxide to form an isolatable adduct which is used as an activator in the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone.

Abstract: A catalyst solution for the anionic polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone is produced by contacting an alkali metal hydroxide and excess 2-pyrrolidone. The catalyst solution is dehydrated under stripping conditions.

Abstract: A fluid catalytic cracking unit equipped with multiple feed injection points along the length of the riser is operated such that portions of the same fresh feed are charged to different feed injection points. Preferably, the hydrocarbon fresh feed can be split into two or more non-distinct fractions, with one fraction charged to the bottom injection point along the length of the riser reactor, and the remaining fractions charged to injection points progressively higher up along the length of the riser reactor. Unconverted slurry oil boiling above 650.degree. F. can be recycled to one or more of the various injection points along the length of the riser.