Abstract: Catalyzed vapor-phase processes are taught for the oxidative dehydrogenation of a lower-alkyl-monosubstituted ethylbenzene to a lower-alkyl-monosubstituted styrene. Barium pyrophosphate and the pyrophosphate-containing calcination product of KFe.sub.3 H.sub.14 (PO.sub.4).sub.8.nH.sub.2 O, n running between about 1 to about 4, are shown to effectively catalyze these dehydrogenations at a low enough temperature such that very little cracking of the lower alkyl group occurs which gives superior conversions and selectivities to the corresponding styrenes and lengthened catalyst lifetime. An improved method of preparation of KFe.sub.3 H.sub.14 (PO.sub.4).nH.sub.2 O is described as well as the new material which is essentially KFe.sub.3 H.sub.6 (P.sub.2 O.sub.7).sub.4.

Abstract: A catalyzed, continuous vapor phase process to convert a C.sub.2 or higher alcohol and, optionally, one or more C.sub.1 or higher alcohols, for example methanol and ethanol, to a mixture containing at least one higher molecular weight alcohol, for example, isobutanol, over a catalyst which is essentially magnesium oxide. The process also may have a lower aldehyde and/or ketone in the feed.

Abstract: Epoxy resins containing epoxidized polybutenes and a process for preparing them are disclosed. The cured epoxy resin containing epoxidized polybutene demonstrates improved flexibility and ductility and improved chemical and water resistance with no loss in heat deflection temperature.

Abstract: Hot-melt adhesives based upon a mixture composed of poly(vinylmethylether), greater than about 10 weight percent of a thermoplastic resin and, optionally a tackifier resin and/or extender, are found to be superior for the binding of polyolefins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-propylene copolymers to themselves and to other substrates. In particular, the hot-melt adhesives are useful for bonding polyethylene-backed and latex-backed carpet to polyethylene, polypropylene, or ethylene-propylene copolymer.

Abstract: A regiospecific, catalyzed process for preparing acyl derivatives of aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds in which the keto group is selectively added ortho to the nitrogen atom on the aromatic ring. In the presence of a ruthenium carbonyl compound, carbon monoxide and an olefin, the aromatic heterocyclic compound which has an unsubstituted carbon atom ortho to at least one of the heterocyclic atoms adds the acyl group essentially completely in ortho position.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are boron trifluoride etherate complexes in which the ether of the complex has at least one tertiary carbon bonded to an ether oxygen. The etherates are useful for polymerizing a one-olefin or mixtures thereof, preferably comprising isobutylene, whereby the resulting polymer contains a high percentage (80-100%) vinylidene character.

Abstract: A regioselective nitration process for diphenyl compounds which can be carried out at about ambient temperature in which each ring of the diphenyl compound is selectively nitrated in the para position to form the corresponding di(4-nitrophenyl) compound. Such compounds as diphenyl carbonate, 2,2-diphenylpropane, 2,2-diphenylhexafluoropropane, diphenyl sulfide, diphenyl ketone, diphenyl sulfone, and the like can be converted to an isomeric mixture containing an enhanced amount of the corresponding di(4-nitrophenyl) compound, which mixture may be reduced or purified and reduced to the di(4-aminophenyl) analogues for use in the manufacture of polyamides, polyimides, and polyamide-imides.

Abstract: A catalyzed process for the isomerization of a xylene-containing stream containing a major amount of ethylbenzene under supercritical temperature and pressure which contacts the stream under supercritical conditions with a catalyst and subsequently reduces the temperature of the isomerization product at a pressure above the critical pressure.

Abstract: Removal of the small amount of lower molecular weight olefins produced by certain isomerization catalysts during the catalytic isomerization of xylene results in reduced xylene loss. Such removal can be conveniently effected by use of a mild hydrogenation catalyst separate from the isomerization catalyst in the process.

Abstract: Soluble, film-forming, polyamides, polyimides, and polyamide-imides and their copolymers made using 3,5-diamino-t-butylbenzene are described. These polymers have some solubility in organic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, a high Tg, excellent thermal stability, lower density and lower moisture uptake and are useful in films, fibers and composites, and in the electronics industry as electrical component substrates, protective coatings, interlevel dielectrics and the like.

Abstract: A process is described to make a dihydroxydiphenol sulfone product with a 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenol sulfone purity in excess of 90 wt. % by reaction of phenol and concentrated sulfuric acid in a solvent mixture containing a lower-boiling and a higher-boiling hydrocarbon, removal by azeotropic distillation of water, hydrocarbon, and phenol, phase separation of the distillate, and return of at least the phenol to the reaction at a rate which maintains a phenol to sulfuric acid mol ratio in the reaction of at least 2 to 1.

Abstract: Catalyst and process are disclosed for the improved preparation of alpha, beta-unsaturated acids. The catalyst comprises a porous silica gel component and a Group IA alkali metal component, which is present in an amount of from 200 to 20,000 parts per million and optionally another component such as tin (IV) oxide, and mixtures thereof. The process comprises reacting formaldehyde and an aliphatic carboxylic acid in the presence of said catalyst while maintaining catalyst activity and selectivity during the process by addition of a source of the alkali metal component.

Abstract: A process to purify t-butylstyrene from product containing substantial amounts of t-butylethylbenzene and small amounts of alkenyl-substituted styrene impurities by a combination of vacuum fractionation and vacuum evaporation in the presence a polymerization inhibitor, and treatment with a carbonaceous adsorbent. Such a product to be purified can be prepared by catalytically, oxidatively dehydrogenating over an alkaline pyrophosphate in the vapor phase t-butylethylbenzene containing about 95 wt. % or more of the p-isomer which can be made by alkylating ethylbenzene with isobutylene in a controlled manner in the presence of cooled concentrated sulfuric acid.

Abstract: A process for the catalyzed conversion of wet acetylene-containing streams to an essentially aromatic product rich in aromatic compounds, particularly benzene, toluene and styrenes using a promoted catalyst composition made by incorporating a major amount of a HAMS-1B crystalline borosilicate molecular sieve composited in an inorganic matrix with a minor amount of a zinc compound and calcining the result to form a promoted catalyst composition containing supported zinc oxide.

Abstract: Superconducting composites are made from ceramic-type superconductors coated onto a low resistivity carbon fiber selected from those high strength fibers which have an ultrahigh modulus and high thermal conductivity. Flexible conductors of several different structures made from such composites are described as well as other useful forms of the composites.

Abstract: Soluble, film-forming, polyamides, polyimides, and polyamide-imides and their copolymers made using 3,5-diamino-t-butylbenzene are described. These polymers have some solubility in organic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, a high Tg, excellent thermal stability, lower density and lower moisture uptake and are useful in films, fibers and composites, and in the electronics industry as electrical component substrates, protective coatings, interlevel dielectrics and the like.

Abstract: Gallium-containing, crystalline silicate molecular sieves in which substantially all of the gallium occupies molecular sieve lattice positions or is intimately associated with the crystal lattice of the silicate sieve when composited into a silica matrix are shown to form catalyst compositions having superior properties for the catalytic, liquid-phase isomerization of a xylene-containing stream containing a minor amount of ethylbenzene to a product mixture rich in paraxylene.

Abstract: Soluble, film-forming, polyamides, polyimides, and polyamide-imides and their copolymers made using 3,5-diamino-t-butylbenzene are described. These polymers have some solubility in organic solvents such as N-methylpyrrolidone, a high Tg, excellent thermal stability, lower density and lower moisture uptake and are useful in films, fibers and composites, and in the electronics industry as electrical component substrates, protective coatings, interlevel dielectrics and the like.

Abstract: Catalyst and process are disclosed for preparation of alpha, beta-unsaturated acids. Catalyst comprises a silica component and a Group IA alkali metal component which is present in an amount of from 200 to 15,000 parts per million, said silica component containing less than about 500 parts per million individually of aluminum, zirconium, titanium, iron and mixtures thereof. Process comprises reacting formaldehyde and a carboxylic acid of the formula RHC.sub.2 COOH wherein R is a member of the class consisting of --H, -alkyl, -aryl, -aralkyl, -cycloalkyl, and -alkylaryl radicals in the presence of said catalyst. Catalyst activity is maintained during process by addition of source of alkali metal component.

Abstract: Process is disclosed for regeneration of a solid methacrylic acid catalyst wherein said catalyst is decoked in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas at an initial temperature no greater than 650.degree. F. and then by increasing the temperature incrementally to complete the regeneration at a temperature of from about 650.degree. F. to 800.degree. F.