Abstract: A process for producing a sulfur foam which comprises forming a sulfur system containing an aliphatic polysulfide and optionally molten elemental sulfur, contacting and reacting an acid with the sulfur system to obtain a sulfur system-acid adduct, said acid being capable of forming CO.sub.2 or COS upon reaction with an isocyanate or isothiocyanate; and reacting polyisocyanate with the adduct to obtain sulfur foam.Preferably the acids used in the preparation of the sulfur foam are carboxylic acids. The preferred aliphatic polysulfides include the liquid polysulfides derived by the reaction of sodium polysulfide with dichloroethyl ether and dichloroethyl formal.

Abstract: A process for field preparation of a fibrous turf on a surface by steps including: (a) inserting fibers into a backing to obtain a backing with inserted fibers; (b) laying a receiving matrix on the surface; (c) bringing a portion of the backing with inserted fibers into connection with the receiving matrix so as to immerse the inserted fibers in the matrix; and (d) maintaining said portion of the backing stationary for a sufficient period of time so that the fibers will stay in the matrix upon removing the backing from the fibers.Preferably the receiving matrix is a thermoplastic substance comprising sulfur, especially plasticized sulfur.

Abstract: Triesters of triethanolmethane and a monocarboxylic acid, wherein said acid has from 3 to 15 carbon atoms. The triesters are particularly useful as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride.

Abstract: A method for obtaining purified polycarboxylic anhydrides of good color stability which comprises combining and contacting a metal halide and P.sub.2 O.sub.5 or a perborate with the crude anhydride before final distillation of the crude anhydride. Preferred metal halides are alkaline earth and transition metal halides, with magnesium, calcium and iron chlorides being particularly preferred. The method is especially advantageously applied to maleic anhydride purification, especially maleic anhydride produced by butane oxidation.

Abstract: In hydroformylation reactions at temperatures in the range 100.degree.-225.degree.C. the destructive dissociation of cobalt carbonyl complex compounds to cobalt metal and residue is inhibited by the presence of minor amounts of 2,2'-bipyridine, alkyl-substituted 2,2'-bipyridines, N-alkyl-substituted alkylene diamines and mixtures of these compounds.