Abstract: A process for producing a copolymer of an isoolefin and at least one other comonomer comprising the step of polymerizing a reaction mixture comprising an isoolefin, a catalyst and at least one of a cycloconjugated muitiolefin and an unconjugated cyclic olefin in the presence of an activator comprising a carbo cation producing species, a silica cation producing species and mixtures thereof. The process can be practiced using a slurry polymerization approach. One of the main benefits achieved with the present invention is the conversion of the monomers over a shorter period of time and higher percent conversion than when the activator is not used.

Abstract: Using newly discovered microorganisms of the family Pseudonocardiaceae, vanillin may be produced in high yields from ferulic acid. The microorganisms are two strains of Amycolatopsis.