Abstract: An improved process for drying water-wet, cellulose ester membranes is described. It has been found that by contacting one side of the membrane with a liquid mixture of a water-miscible, volatile C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 hydrocarbon and a water-immiscible organic compound, while an inert gas stream or vacuum is maintained on the other surface of the membrane, water can be displaced from the membrane economically, rapidly and without adversely affecting the structure of the membrane. A 1 to 1 volume mixture of isopropanol and isooctane is particularly preferred in this step. The essentially water-free membrane is then dried by applying reduced pressure or an inert gas stream to produce a membrane having exceptional separation characteristics.

Abstract: A method of converting saturated aliphatic chlorinated hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride which comprises contacting a pre-heated mixture of the hydrocarbon, oxygen and, where necessary, water with a molecular sieve catalyst at temperatures of from about 180.degree. to about 400.degree. C. Simple chlorinated hydrocarbons can thus be completely converted to HCl and CO.sub.2 at low temperatures without the production of undesired by-products.

Abstract: Tetrahydrocarbyl phosphonium bicarbonate salts are employed as catalysts to promote the reaction between (a) vicinal epoxides and (b) carboxylic acids or anhydrides. These catalysts are particularly useful in the preparation of vinyl ester resins.

Abstract: An extractant system comprising (a) a high molecular weight alkylaromatic sulfonic acid and (b) a chelating amine having a pKa of from about 3 to about 9 in a solvent which is essentially immiscible with water, said system being useful for the selective extraction of desired metals, e.g., cobalt, nickel or copper ions from aqueous acidic ore leach liquors.

Abstract: The use of a supported, metal catalyst in the reaction of Cl.sub.2, HF and SO.sub.2 increases production of sulfuryl fluoride and reduces the formation of by-products relative to charcoal catalysts employed in the prior art. Palladium on carbon catalysts have been found to be particularly active.

Abstract: Tetrahydrocarbyl phosphonium bicarbonate salts are described which are unexpectedly effective as catalysts for promoting the reaction between (a) vicinal epoxides and (b) phenols. These catalysts are particularly useful in preparing high molecular weight epoxy resins by the advancement reaction of an epoxy resin with a polyhydric phenol.

Abstract: Method of preparing chlorthalidone, an antihypertensive agent, and derivatives using a novel 3-(4'-chloro-3'-chlorosulfonylphenyl)phthalide intermediate and derivatives, and method of preparing said novel intermediate, are disclosed.

Abstract: Aromatic polycyclic, hydrocarbon compounds bearing at least one nuclear sulfonic acid or sulfonate moiety are useful as froth promoters to improve the recovery of clean coal in the froth flotation of finely-divided coal. Disulfonated diphenyl ether compounds bearing at least one nuclear alkyl group of from 10 to 22 carbon atoms are particularly efficacious.

Abstract: Condensation products of a fatty acid or fatty acid ester and a hydroxyalkylated polyalkylenepolyamine are useful as conditioners to improve the recovery of clean coal in a froth flotation process. The presence of these condensation products in the flotation medium is particularly effective to enhance the recovery of oxidized bituminous coal.

Abstract: Nitric oxide and other oxides of nitrogen removed from a gas stream by contacting the gas stream with chlorine in the presence of water in the liquid phase and scrubbing the gas stream with an aqueous mixture of a hydrochloride and a hypochlorite.