Abstract: Propylene oxide and other olefinic oxides are synthesized by reacting an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a catalytic amount of a complex. The complex is of the type L.sub.2 MX.sub.2, L.sub.2 M or L.sub.2 MR where M is palladium, X is an acidic anion (preferably chloride); R is an olefinic group (preferably a propylene group) and L.sub.2 consists of two monodentate ligands or a single bidentate ligand.L.sub.2 :(a) is resistant to oxidation under the conditions of the process;(b) is of the type AR.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3 or R.sub.4 R.sub.5 AR.sub.6 AR.sub.7 R.sub.8 where A is phosphorous or arsenic and R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, R.sub.7 and R.sub.8 are as defined herein;(c) (in the case of a monodentate ligand) has a cone angle not less than 170.degree. when A is phosphorous and has a cone angle not less than 142.degree. when A is arsenic; or(d) in the case of a bidentate ligand) the monodentate equivalent of each part of the bidentate ligand has a cone angle of not less than 170.

Abstract: Nonwoven fibrous sheets impregnated with latices of polyvinyl acetate or its copolymers containing polyvinyl alcohol, intended for use in pre-moistened condition as skin cleansing tissues, are folded and packaged in closed containers or in individual sealed water impervious envelopes; said packaged sheets being maintained in contact with a dilute aqueous solution of a precipitating or gelling agent for polyvinyl alcohol, such as boric acid. The agent imparts improved wet tensile strength to the sheet during storage and use by the consumer but permits the sheet to be safely disposed of, after use, by flushing in plain water without danger of clogging the plumbing system.

Abstract: The storage stability of otherwise unstable premix compositions for flame retardant rigid polyurethane foams containing in the premix a chlorinated polyether polyol and a tertiary amine catalyst, is enhanced by incorporation into the premix of a minor amount of a vinyl monomer. The preferred vinyl monomers employed are condensation products of acrylic or methacrylic acid with alcohols or amines. Such stabilization prevents premature deactivation of the tertiary amine catalysts contained in the premix.

Abstract: Use of vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions as laminating adhesives for rug backing is disclosed. The copolymer emulsions are prepared by admixing vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer, dispersant and thickening agent together, with or without the addition of filler. The vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer can contain between about 20 and about 70 parts by weight of vinyl acetate and between about 30 and about 80 parts by weight of ethylene. The resulting vinyl acetate-ethylene copolymer emulsions have a glass transition temperature (T.sub.g) of between about -35.degree. C. and about -10.degree. C.

Abstract: Aqueous coating compositions comprising latices containing a copolymer of vinyl acetate in the range of about 95-99.9% by weight and maleic anhydride in the range of about 0.1-5% by weight have been found to have improved starch binder compatibility. Vinyl acetate and maleic anhydride are polymerized in an aqueous medium in the presence of a free radical initiator and a surfactant which prevents the vinyl acetate-maleic anhydride copolymer from dissolving in the aqueous medium. The resulting latex coating compositions have a high solids content (greater than about 50% by weight) and a copolymer particle size of under 0.5 microns in addition to the excellent starch compatibility.

Abstract: The storage stability of otherwise unstable premix compositions for flame retardant rigid polyurethane foams containing in the premix a chlorinated polyether polyol and a tertiary amine catalyst, is enhanced by incorporation into the premix a synergistic combination of an organic sulfur compound and an unsaturated carbon compound. The preferred sulfur compound is thiourea; among the preferred unsaturated carbon compounds are unsaturated terpenes such as allo-ocimene and unsaturated higher fatty acids such as tall oil fatty acids and mono-, di-, and trienic C.sub.18 acids.

Abstract: Primary and secondary unsaturated alcohols are converted to their corresponding aldehydes and/or carboxylic acids and ketones respectively with alkali metal (per) halate, preferably sodium periodate, in the presence of ruthenium catalyst. The process is particularly useful in the oxidation of chrysanthemyl alcohol. Any unconverted intermediate aldehyde formed may be converted to the acid by recycling or by a separate oxidation step.

Abstract: A method of preparing an oxidation catalyst which comprises combining in an aqueous solution, an acid or salt of molybdenum with a water-soluble acid or non-metallic salt of silicon, phosphorus or arsenic, which is capable of forming a polyhedra of molybdenum. An aqueous chloride ion and a compound of phosphotungstate, silicotungstate, vanadium arsenate, silicoarsenate, phosphovanadate, silicovanadate or corresponding acids thereof or mixtures thereof are then added to the mixture. The resulting combination is dried and calcined to yield the finished catalyst.The oxidation catalyst has the following empirical formulua:Y.sub.w Mo.sub.x A.sub.y O.sub.zwhere Y is phosphorus, arsenic, silicon or mixtures thereof,A is tungsten, vanadium, arsenic, when Y is not arsenic, or mixtures thereof,w ranges from 0.5 to 1.5,x ranges from 10 to 15,y ranges from 0.1 to 2.0, andz ranges from 1 to 42, and is an integer necessary to satisfy the valency requirements of the formula.

Abstract: Cellular structure of blown structural polyphenylene oxide resins is regulated by incorporation of certain acrylamide polymers in the molding compositions thereof. The cell regulating acrylamide polymers may be homopolymers or co-polymers of acrylamide, or of substituted acrylamides or interpolymers of such acrylamide compounds with compounds containing a vinyl group.

Abstract: Residual vinyl chloride monomer is removed from polyvinyl chloride by subjecting the polymer to microwave radiation in the presence of water.

Abstract: Catalysts having the following formula have been found to have unexpectedly high activity for the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanate resins: ##STR1## where: R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyls having 1 to 4 carbon atoms,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyls having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and aryls and aralkyls having 6 to 18 carbon atoms, andR.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl having 1 to 2 carbon atoms and an aryl and an aralkyl having 6 to 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The protected copolymer compositions of the present invention have the following structural formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN A is a cyclic or acyclic group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, 2 to 26 - (j + m) hydrogen atoms, 0 to 4 oxygen atoms, and 0 to 2 nitrogen atoms,E is a group having the structure ##STR2## wherein n is 3 to 5, G is a group having the structure--C.sub.u H.sub.2u-2 (CO.sub.2 C.sub.v H.sub.2v + 1 --.sub.2Wherein u is 2 or 3 and v is an integer from 2 to 9,K is a radical selected from the group consisting ofR--, RCO--, RNHCO--, ROC(CH.sub.3)H--, ##STR3## wherein R is a cyclic or acyclic radical having 1 to 18 carbon atoms and x is 3 or 4, J IS AN INTEGER FROM 0 TO 8,m is an integer from 0 to 4,j + m is 1 to 8,s is an integer from 2 to 4,w is 1 to 200,p is 1 to 10,q is 1 to 10, andr is 1 to 50.The compositions of this invention have been found to be useful as stabilizers in the preparation of cellular foams.

Abstract: Hydrogen-containing gas mixtures are subjected to selective adsorption in a pressure swing cyclic system to remove carbon dioxide and/or hydrocarbon gases, obtaining high recovery of hydrogen at high purity. The system can also be employed for separation of methane from admixture with CO.sub.2.

Abstract: Catalysts having the following formula, prepared in the absence of water, are stable to heat and storage and show high activity in reactions involving organic isocyanates, such as in the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanurate resins: ##EQU1## wherein: A is a mono- or bicyclic tertiary amine having at least 4 carbon atoms in an azine ring,R.sup.1 is H or an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms,R.sup.2 is H or an alkyl or aryl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and.phi. is a phenyl group, which may be further substituted by one or more hydroxyl or alkyl groups.Typical compounds, for example, are those corresponding to the formula ##EQU2## wherein: R is H or methyl.

Abstract: Catalysts having the following formula have been found to have unexpectedly high activity for the production of polyurethane and polyisocyanate resins: ##EQU1## where: R, R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are alkyls having one to four carbon atoms,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, alkyls having one to 12 carbon atoms and aryls and aralkyls having six to 18 carbon atoms, andR.sub.5 is selected from the group consisting of H, an alkyl having one to two carbon atoms and an aryl and an aralkyl having six to 15 carbon atoms.

Abstract: In the operation of a nitric acid plant, the rate of flow of process air to the converter in which ammonia is oxidized is controlled by injection of steam at regulated rates into the heated tail gas from the nitric acid production, thereby utilizing regulated mass flow power augmentation in the gas used for powering the expansion turbines employed in driving the compressors operated to furnish required process air at superatmospheric pressure to the nitric acid plant.

Abstract: Novel sound reproduction molding compositions of good processing qualities are disclosed, based on copolymer of vinyl chloride and propylene. Records obtained therefrom, have good audio qualities and resistance to impact, thermal warpage and water blistering. Because of their high heat stability, formulations based on the vinyl chloride-propylene (VC/P) copolymers can be employed in making sound records not only by the usual compression molding techniques, but also by injection molding.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feedstock, such as a residum from atmospheric or vacuum distillation columns containing large quantities of sulfur is combined with a hydroconversion catalyst having a nominal particle size of less than 10 microns to form a suspension. The resulting suspension and a hydrogen-containing gas are fed upwardly through a contact zone in plug-flow at an elevated temperature and pressure and at a weight hourly space velocity of between 200 and 50,000 kg. of oil per kg. of catalyst per hour. The resulting product containing the catalyst suspended therein is continuously withdrawn from the contact zone. The normally gaseous materials are separated from the liquid product having a substantially reduced sulfur content. The catalyst is carried through the entire process suspended in liquid in a single pass without the necessity of recycling or regeneration and remains in the desulfurized product.