Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a tertiary perester by contacting an acyl compound with a tertiary hydroperoxide in the presence of an enzyme catalyst. The acyl compound has the formula R1[C(O)OR2]n, wherein R1 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C22 group, optionally containing one or more hetero atoms, R2 represents hydrogen or has the same meaning as described for R1, and n is 1-5, or a polyalcohol ester of R1C(O)OH, wherein R1 has the same meaning as described above. The tertiary hydroperoxide has the formula [HOOCR3R3]mR4, wherein R3 represents either a methyl or an ethyl group, R4 has the same meaning as described for R1, and m is 1-5.

Abstract: A flame retardant blend is disclosed that comprises: (a) a monomeric halogenated organic flame retardant that is adapted for use in a polyurethane foam formulation; and (b) an oligomeric organophosphate flame retardant having a phosphorus content of no less than about 10%, by weight, and at least three phosphate ester units therein, the amount of (a) in the blend being no less than the amount of (b). It is useful in polyurethane foams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition of mixed alkylated triphenyl phosphate esters comprising no less than 65% to about 100%, by weight, monoalkylphenyl diphenyl phosphate, up to about 30%, by weight, dialkylphenyl phenyl phosphate, up to about 3%, by weight, trialkylphenyl phosphate, and up to about 5%, by weight, triphenyl phosphate. The alkyl moieties can be isopropyl, isobutyl tertiary-butyl, isoamyl, tertiary-amyl, isooctyl and/or isononyl. The fluids prepared according to the previously described method show unusually low air entrainment values of less than 180 seconds, and as low as 20 seconds, and have a content of triphenyl phosphate that typically varies from about 0 to about 5.0%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a foamed article having a foam density of less than 180 kg/m3 and an average cell diameter of less than 1.5 mm comprising the extrusion of a molten semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin composition in the presence of a foaming agent, with the semi-crystalline thermoplastic resin composition comprising a polymeric epoxide containing at least two epoxide groups being a copolymer of a monomer mixture comprising at least one C10 to C18-olefin and at least one ethylenically unsaturated compound comprising an epoxide group. The process results in the preparation of foamed articles having a regular and homogeneous structure. Another advantage of the present invention is that it is not necessary anymore to add a compound of Group Ia, IIa, or IIIa of the Periodic Table, such as LiCl, to the extrusion process.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method of manufacturing a photovoltaic foil supported by a carrier and comprising a plurality of photovoltaic layers which together have the ability of generating electric current from incident light, a back-electrode layer on one side adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, and a transparent conductor layer on the other side of, and adjacent and parallel to the photovoltaic layers, which method comprises the following subsequent steps: providing a temporary substrate, applying the transparent conductor layer, applying the photovoltaic layers, applying the back-electrode layer, applying the carrier, removing the temporary substrate, and, preferably, applying a top coat on the side of the transparent conductor layer.

Abstract: A metal oxide is treated with an organophosphate, such as a trialkyl phosphate, to convert the oxide to the corresponding phosphate. The metal in the oxide can be a transition metal, such as iron, and the trialkyl phosphate preferably contains from one to about four carbon atoms in each alkyl group. The treatment can be conducted at an elevated temperature of about 250.degree. C. or greater.

Abstract: A process for the synthesis of a hydrocarbyl bis(dihydrocarbyl phosphate), such as a hydrocarbyl bis(diaryl phosphate), comprises the reaction of an unstable hydrocarbyl-containing diol, such as an aromatic group-containing diol, with a dihydrocarbyl halophosphate, such as diphenyl chlorophosphate, in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, such as magnesium dichloride, in the additional presence of an effective amount (e.g., up to about 100% by weight of diol and halophosphate) of a liquid hydrocarbon, such as an aliphatic hydrocarbon, like heptane, or an aromatic hydrocarbon, such as toluene, to enhance the removal of hydrogen halide by-product and thereby increase the yield of hydrocarbyl bis(dihydrocarbyl phosphate).

Abstract: An aryl group containing phosphite, such as triphenyl phosphite, can be added to a reaction mixture comprising an organophosphorus compound, phosphorus pentoxide and an alkylene oxide, optionally in the presence of a reagent for the incorporation of hydroxy functionality in the final product. The aryl group containing phosphite is employed to improve the color characteristics of the resulting oligomeric organophosphorus composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a graded index polymer optical fiber comprising a multicomponent spinning process employing spinning masses comprising a core spinning mass and a sheath spinning mass, the spinning masses comprising a polymer, a polymerizable monomer, and an initiator. The monomer in the core spinning mass has a higher refractive index than the monomer in the sheath spinning mass, and the spinning masses are extruded and cured. The spinning conditions are chosen such that the monomers are substantially contained within the fiber during extrusion and curing and the total of the spinning masses is intrinsically thread forming. The spinning masses may be extruded in, e.g., water. The core and the sheath polymer may be, e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate); the core monomer may be methyl methacrylate, and the sheath monomer may be 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate; or the core and the sheath polymer may be, e.g.

Abstract: The Invention pertains to a process for the amidation of a material having at least one carboxyl-containing polysaccharide. The provided process involves a first step in which the carboxyl groups are reacted with an ammonium donor of the general formula >NH to form the corresponding polysaccharide carboxyl ammonium salt, and a second step in which the polysaccharide carboxyl ammonium salt is heated so as to convert the ammonium groups into the corresponding amido groups. The invention also pertains to fatty amide modified carboxyl-containing polysaccharides, and particularly to fatty amide modified carboxymethyl cellulose. The products in accordance with the invention can be widely employed, e.g. in the field of biodegradable plastics, as anti-redeposition agents for synthetic fibers, as polymeric emulsifiers, as pigment dispersing agents, in cosmetic applications, as thickeners, as oil drilling fluids, as superabsorbers, and in mineral processing.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a process for enhancing the melt strength of a polypropylene (co)polymer with the aid of initiator dispersions. The use of initiator dispersions with a particulate initiator instead of the corresponding non-dispersed initiators or their dilutions or solutions results in a significant enhancement of the melt strength of the modified polymer, and a wide range of initiators turn out to be serviceable.

Abstract: A polymer composition, which is useful as a surfactant, formed by the reaction of an alkylene oxide (such as ethylene oxide), carbon dioxide, and a monocarboxylic acid chain terminator, such as one containing a fatty alkyl group.

Abstract: A catalytically active aluminoxane can be synthesized from a precursor formed by the combination of at least one trialkylaluminum compound and at least one organoaluminum compound containing a carbon-oxygen bond therein, such as an alkoxy group-containing organoaluminum compound of the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.2 Al--O--R, where R is alkyl.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for dicarboxylating dihydric phenols, notably those where the hydroxyl groups are in the para or the ortho position vis-a-vis one another. More particularly, the invention pertains to a process for preparing 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (2,5 DHTA). The invention comprises contacting a dihydric phenol with carbon dioxide in the presence of an alkali metal carbonate, the reaction being carried out in the presence of an alkali metal formate, at a temperature above the formate's melting point. The invention has several advantages over the well-known Kolbe-Schmitt reaction and other known carboxylation reactions, such as a lower operating pressure, higher yields, and/or shorter reaction times.

Abstract: Cellulose extrudates can be made from an optically anisotropic solution containing 94-100 wt % of: cellulose; phosphoric acid and/or its anhydrides; and water by extruding the solution, coagulating the formed extrudates, and then aftertreating those extrudates so that they have a degree of acidity which at least equals 7. Fibers obtained by such a processs possess particularly good thermal stability and are suitable for use as a reinforcing material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a organo-tin-containing complex stabilizer for synthetic resin compositions of the formula I:M.sup.2+.sub.1-a-b(2+x) Al.sup.3+.sub.a [Sn(R).sub.(2-x) ].sub.b.sup.(2+x)+ (OH).sup.-.sub.2-b(2+x) A.sup.n-.sub.a/n *mH.sub.2 O (I)wherein M.sup.2+ stands for at least one divalent metal cation, R stands for a C.sub.1-12 linear or branched alkyl group, A.sup.n- stands for an n-valent anion or mixtures of anions, and the following conditions apply:0<a<0.5; 0<b<0.1; 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1; 0<a+b(2+x)<0.5; 0.ltoreq.m.ltoreq.2.The invention also relates to a method for the preparation of these stabilizers and their use in synthetic resin compositions, preferably halogen-containing synthetic resin compositions, or (co)polymers obtained by Ziegler Natta polymerization processes.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an optical recording medium comprising a homeotropically oriented liquid crystalline polymer film having a T.sub.g between 75-100.degree. C. and a T.sub.c between 110-140.degree. C. and comprising at least one dichroic dye. This homeotropic orientation along with the presence of dichroic dye makes it possible to employ a different technique for writing out and reading data. For, in this case contrast is obtained by the dichroic dye contained in the film being aligned in the same direction as the mesogenic groups of the liquid crystalline polymer. In a virgin film the mesogenic groups, and hence the dichroic dye molecules, are oriented perpendicular to the film's surface, and there is only low absorption of the incident light by these molecules. By local heating or irradiation of the film (e.g., with a laser) the homeotropic orientation is converted to an isotropic one.

Abstract: A process is provided for preparing polyhydroxycarboxylic acids by the selective oxidation of di-, tri-, oligo- and polysaccharides in an alkaline medium using an oxygenous gas in the presence of palladium on a carrier as catalyst and bismuth as promoter at a palladium concentration in the reaction mixture of at least about 40 mg/l and a molar ratio of bismuth to palladium in the range of from about 1:5 to about 1:40, in which process towards the end of the reaction, as soon as a strong increase is observed in the oxygen concentration in the liquid phase, the oxygen supply is reduced until it is not more than about 20 ppm. In this manner, virtually all of the polysaccharide added beforehand is converted into the desired end product without an unacceptably high concentration of bismuth in the end product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate, adapted to be used as in a roof ridge vent construction, which comprises (a) a matting layer comprising randomly convoluted polymeric filaments, a portion of the matting layer comprising a plurality of truncated pyramidal cusps, with at least one outwardly extending edge portion of the matting layer which is planar with one surface of the matting layer; and (b) a fabric backing bonded to the matting layer and extending outwardly and being bonded to the outwardly extending, planar edge portion of that matting layer.

Abstract: The durability and selectivity of a supported nobel metal hydrodeclorination catalyst can be improved by treating the supported catalyst, which comprises support and catalytic noble metal, with a late transition metal halide salt, a post transition metal containing halide salt, or a combination thereof, and with an alkali metal halide, ammonium halide, or a combination thereof. Suitable late transition metal and post transition metal halides for use herein include zinc chloride, tin chloride, and cupric chloride. A suitable alkali metal halide for use herein include lithium chloride. The novel resulting supported catalyst has its noble metal component, which is in the zero valent state, predominantly residing adjacent the surface of the support in a form which is predominantly visible under a microscope having a resolution of about 5 .ANG..