Abstract: A composition and a process for catalyzing ethylene oligomerization employing the composition as catalyst are disclosed. The composition comprises a nickel compound, a phosphine compound, and a phosphated alumina where the phosphated alumina is both a component of and a support for the composition. The ethylene oligomerization process comprises (1) combining a nickel compound and a phosphine compound in a solvent to form a mixture; (2) combining the mixture with a phosphated alumina under ethylene pressure to form a catalyst system; (3) contacting ethylene with the catalyst system under oligomerization conditions to produce higher olefins having more than 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A gelling composition and a process for wellbore treatment comprising injecting the composition into reservoirs are disclosed wherein the composition comprise a water-soluble polymer such as, for example, polyacrylamide; an iron compound such as, for example, ferric acetylacetonate or ammonium ferric oxalate; a ketone compound such as, for example, 2,4-pentanedione; and a liquid such as, for example, a produced brine.

Abstract: A process for selectively producing ethyl mercaptan from a reactant mixture such as, for example, refinery fuel gas mixture is provided which comprises contacting, in the presence of a catalyst such as, for example, oxides of cobalt and molybdenum supported on aluminum, the reactant mixture with hydrogen sulfide wherein the reactant mixture contains ethylene and at least one other olefin such as, for example, propylene. The reactant mixture can also contain other components such as, for example, hydrogen, ethane, methane, propylene, or propane, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture to an impurities removal vessel containing a freezing point depressant which comprises an aromatic compound; (3) removing the impurities; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering the sulfolane compound.

Abstract: A composition that, when present in a polymer matrix, reduces the deleterious effect of UV light absorption by the polymer is provided, which comprises a sulfur-containing derivative of hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole having the formula of: ##STR1## wherein each X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, cyano, alkyl, phenyl group, biphenyl group, arylthio, amine, ketone, aldehyde, alkoxy, hydroxy, carboxylic acid group, oligomer and combinations thereof and can have carbon atoms up to about 20; n is a whole number from 1 to 5; n' is a whole number from 0 to 4; n" is a whole number from 1 to 2 and each n" can be the same or different; q is an integer from 1 to 10; each Y is selected from the group consisting of --S(O) (O)--, --S(O)--, and --S--; each R can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl group, alkenyl group, aralkyl group, alkaryl group, and combinations thereof and can have 0 to about 10 carbon atoms; each OH group can be at either the 2'- or the 6'-position, or both.

Abstract: A process for converting at least one alkyl mercaptan to a dialkyl sulfide can be carried out by contacting the alkyl mercaptan, and optionally an alkene, with an alumina catalyst under conditions sufficient to substantially covert the alkyl mercaptan to dialkyl sulfide. For example, ethyl mercaptan can by advantageously fed at a rate of about 0.5 to about 10 parts by weight per part by weight of the catalyst per hour over the catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure to produce diethyl sulfide.

Abstract: A composition of a superabsorbent polymer and a process for using the polymer to absorb an aqueous electrolyte solution are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing sulfolane compounds is provided which comprises: (1) contacting a conjugated diene with sulfur dioxide under conditions sufficient to synthesize a sulfolene compound whereby a mixture of the sulfolene compound and impurities comprising unreacted sulfur dioxide is produced; (2) transferring the mixture, at a temperature in the range of about 55.degree. C. to about 85.degree. C., to an impurities removal reactor containing a solvent; (3) removing the impurities under an elevated pressure to produce an impurities-reduced sulfolene compound; (4) transferring the impurities-reduced sulfolene compound to a hydrogenation reactor; (5) contacting said impurities-reduced sulfolene compound with hydrogen, in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, under conditions sufficient to produce a sulfolane compound; and (6) optionally recovering said sulfolane compound.

Abstract: A composition and a process for catalyzing ethylene oligomerization employing the composition as catalyst are disclosed. The composition comprises a nickel compound, a phosphine compound, and a phosphated alumina where the phosphated alumina is both a component of and a support for the composition. The ethylene oligomerization process comprises (1) combining a nickel compound and a phosphine compound in a solvent to form a mixture; (2) combining the mixture with a phosphated alumina under ethylene pressure to form a catalyst system; (3) contacting ethylene with the catalyst system under oligomerization conditions to produce higher olefins having more than 2 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A composition comprising a base and an alkoxylated compound selected from the group consisting of an alkoxylated alcohol, alkoxylated mercaptan, and mixtures thereof can be used to catalyze the reaction of a sulfur-containing compound such as, for example, n-octyl mercaptan, or hydrogen sulfide, and an alkylene oxide such as, for example, propylene oxide to produce an alkoxylated thio-compound such as, for example, n-octyl mercaptan monopropoxylate or 1-mercapto-2-propanol.

Abstract: Polymer compositions which are highly absorbent to aqueous electrolyte solutions are prepared by copolymerization of an ampholytic monomer having the formula of ##STR1## where one and only one of the substituted groups R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 must be a vinyl group, the rest can be the same or different and can be hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group; R.sub.5 is a phenyl group; n is .gtoreq.1 and .ltoreq.6; and q is 0 or 1; and an olefin monomer having an ethylenic structure as well as by graft copolymerization of at least an olefin monomer having an ethylenic structure and an ampholytic monomer having the formula disclosed above onto a main polymer selected from the group consisting of polysacchardies and polyolefins. Also disclosed is a process for absorbing large quantity of aqueous electrolyte solution employing the polymer compositions.

Abstract: Oxidation of alkylaromatics having a benzylic hydrogen atom is catalyzed by a catalyst comprising a palladium salt, a metal persulfate, a third metal salt, and a tin salt in a carboxylic acid for a period of time sufficient to convert the alkylaromatics to their corresponding oxidized derivatives. The catalyst is prepared by preheating the palladium salt and the metal persulfate at a temperature sufficient to provide the desired catalytic activity followed by addition of the third metal salt and the tin salt.

Abstract: A substantially water-free, non-dusting and flowable composition comprising an organic peroxide, a hydrocarbyl phthalate, and at least one phlegmatization agent is provided wherein the phlegmatization agent is selected from the group consisting of a polyester and a glycol-based aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, and mixtures thereof. The composition is prepared by: (1) substantially dissolving the hydrocarbyl phthalate and phlegmatization agent in a solvent to form a plasticizer mixture; (2) substantially dissolving the organic peroxide in the plasticizer mixture to form an organic peroxide-plasticizer mixture; (3) cooling the organic peroxide-plasticizer mixture whereby a crystallized composition is formed; and (4) recovering the crystallized composition.

Abstract: A composition that, when present in a polymer matrix, reduces the deleterious effect of UV light absorption by the polymer is provided, which comprises a sulfur-containing derivative of hydroxyphenylbenzotriazole having the formula of: ##STR1## wherein each X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, cyano, alkyl, phenyl group, biphenyl group, arylthio, amine, ketone, aldehyde, alkoxy, hydroxy, carboxylic acid group, oligomer and combinations thereof and can have carbon atoms up to about 20; n is a whole number from 1 to 5; n' is a whole number from 0 to 4; n" is a whole number from 1 to 2 and each n" can be the same or different; q is an integer from 1 to 10; each Y is selected from the group consisting of --S(O)(O)--, --S(O)--, and --S--; each R can be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl group, alkenyl group, aralkyl group, alkaryl group, and combinations thereof and can have 0 to about 10 carbon atoms; each OH group can be at either the 2'- or the 6'-position, or both.

Abstract: Polymer compositions and their applications in hostile environments for oil field operations are disclosed. The compositions contains a polymer which is copolymerized by (a) an ampholytic monomer having the formula of: ##STR1## where one and only one of the substituted groups R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 must be a vinyl group, the rest can be the same or different and can be hydrogen or a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 alkyl group; R.sub.5 is a phenyl group; n is .gtoreq.1 and .ltoreq.6; and q is 0 or 1; (b) at least one comonomer having an ethylenic linkage. The compositions further contain crosslinking agents, such as phenol and formaldehyde, for reducing permeability in a high temperature subterranean formation; and water for use in well treating fluids.

Abstract: A random copolymer composed of at least one arylene sulfide segment and at least one arylene aulfide sulfone segment is prepared by contacting at least one dihaloaromatic sulfide having a formula of X--Ar(R).sub.n --S--Ar.sup.1 (R.sup.1).sub.n --X.sup.1, with a mixture comprising at least one sulfur source and at least one dihaloaromatic sulfone having a formula of X.sup.2 --Ar.sup.2 (R.sup.2).sub.n --S(O.sub.2)--Ar.sup.3 (R.sup.3).sub.n --X.sup.3 in the presence of a polar organic compound under polymerization conditions to synthesize a random copolymer; where X, X.sup.1, X.sup.2, and X.sup.3 can be the same or different halogens and are each selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine; Ar, Ar.sup.1, Ar.sup.2, and Ar.sup.3 are each an arylene group; R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: A composition comprising a stabilizer chemically bonded to a polymer matrix, and which reduces the deleterious effect of UV light absorption by the polymer is provided.

Abstract: An ethylene dimerization process catalyzed by a hetergenous catalyst comprising a nickel compound, a phosphine compound, an organoaluminum compound, and a perfluorosulfonate polymer is provided. The dimerization process comprises contacting ethylene under dimerization conditions with the catalyst which is prepared by adding a homogeneous solution, formed by mixing under ethylene pressure the organoaluminum solution with a mixture of the nickel compound and the phosphine compound, to a suspension of the perfluorosulfonate polymer in an alcohol.

Abstract: A process for controlling the migration of a gelling composition for enhanced oil recovery by blocking water or gas coning comprises injecting a gelling composition into a subterranean formation where the density of the gelling composition is adjusted depending on the density of the formation brine or oil so that the gelling composition gels in a desired location of the formation.

Abstract: A process for purifying a halogenated aromatic sulfone or ketone compound comprises contacting the compound with a mixture containing a solvent having a normal boiling point less than about 225.degree. C. and water to form a second mixture, heating the second mixture at a temperature sufficient to substantially dissolve the halogenated compound to form a third mixture, cooling the third mixture to purify and recrystallize the compound, and recovering the purified, recrystallized compound. A second embodiment of the invention comprises repeating the purification process steps at least once to further purify the halogenated aromatic sulfone or ketone compound.