Abstract: Reduced calorie fried snacks are prepared by replacing some or all of the oil conventionally used in frying with a fat replacement composition containing a fatty acid-esterified propoxylated glycerin composition which exhibits a sharp melt before about 92.degree. F. Potato chips, corn chips and similar fried snacks prepared according to the invention exhibit a unique cooling sensation when placed in the mouth.

Abstract: Polymer blends of unsaturated polyetherester resins and dicyclopentadiene polyester resins give single-phase, cured thermosets having high tensile and flexural strength. The thermosets exhibit a single glass-transition temperature within the range of about 70.degree. C. to about 150.degree. C. The synergism resulting from polymer blending provides a cost-effective way to improve the strength properties of cured polyetherester thermosets, and coincidentally, gives a way to improve the flexibility and toughness of cured DCPD polyester thermosets. Glass-reinforced thermosets made from polyetherester resin blends show exceptional structural fatigue resistance.

Abstract: Polyurethane foam-supported double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed as useful catalysts for epoxide polymerization. The foam-supported catalysts are easy to prepare, and are more active and show reduced induction periods compared with conventional powdered DMC catalysts. The catalysts of the invention can be recovered from the epoxide polymer products and can be reused to catalyze additional epoxide polymerizations.

Abstract: Water-blown, polyurethane foams modified by incorporation of specific zeolites at levels of from about 0.5 to ten parts per hundred parts polyol exhibit superior combustibility with no halogen or phosphorus flame retardant additive in the foam. Conventional halogen/phosphorus flame retardants, while providing a level of combustion resistance, generally lead to increased smoke containing noxious, and potentially toxic, combustion products.

Abstract: A method of preparing five- and six-membered cyclic carbonates is disclosed. The process comprises reacting a 1,2- or 1,3-diol with an acyclic diester of carbonic acid in the presence of a catalyst selected from alkylammonium salts, tertiary amines, and ion-exchange resins containing alkylammonium or tertiary amino groups. Cyclic carbonates free of polycarbonate by-products are obtained in high yields.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel zeolite having protonated sites external to the pores and exchangeable cation sites within the pores, and to the preparation thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the epoxidation of olefinic compounds by reaction with an organic hydroperoxide in the presence of a solid, heterogeneous catalyst comprised of molybdenum oxide finely dispersed in silica or of both molybdenum oxide and titanium oxide finely dispersed in silica.

Abstract: A practical, selective process for preparing oxetanes is disclosed. A 1,3-glycol monosulfate salt is prepared by sulfation and neutralization of the corresponding 1,3-glycol. The neutral monosulfate salt is then reacted with a strong base, resulting in efficient ring closure to the oxetane.

Abstract: Aqueous, uncured but curable, polymer compositions which are stable at room temperature and possess excellent shelf life in uncured form are disclosed. The uncured polymer compositions can be made into fibers using conventional fiber forming processes and cured to produce absorbent fibers capable of absorbing at least 60 times their weight of brine.

Abstract: The use of tertiary ethers as blowing agent allows the preparation of lower density foams from many types of polymeric materials.

Abstract: Polyacrylate graft-polyols are found to be homogeneous liquids useful as dispersants in vinyl polymer polyols. The novel polyacrylate graft-polyols are made by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyol where the resultant polyacrylate is soluble in the polyol used. The polyol may be a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol. No copolymer or unsaturated polyol is required to make vinyl polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios, good stability and improved viscosity properties when these polyacrylate graft-polyol dispersants are employed. The vinyl polymer polyols are in turn useful in reactions with polyisocyanates in the presence of suitable catalysts to make polyurethane products.

Abstract: A method for producing an aqueous C.sub.2 -C.sub.8 olefin/maleic anhydride copolymer suspension is disclosed. The aqueous copolymer suspension is particularly suitable for use in applications such as fiber spinning syrups in which a copolymer in dry powder form is not needed.

Abstract: Polyol compositions suitable for use in the production of fibre-reinforced rigid polyurethane foam comprises (a) at least one amino polyol obtainable by reacting an alkylene oxide with an initiator which has a functionality greater than 2, at least one aromatic ring and at least one amino nitrogen atom and (b) at least 3% by weight, based on the total weight of (a) plus (b), of an adduct of a tertiary amine and an alkylene carbonate. These novel polyol compositions provide foam-forming formulations of suitable viscosity without the need to use a CFC blowing agent and also combine high reactivity with a broad reactivity profile.

Abstract: Very low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy modified polyols as dispersants. The epoxy modified polyols useful as dispersants may be made by one of three methods: (1) adding the epoxy resin internally to the modified polyol, (2) capping or coupling a polyol not containing an epoxy resin with such a resin, and (3) providing the epoxy resin both internally to the polyol and as a cap or coupler. Epoxy modified polyols having a hydroxyl to epoxy ratio of about 8 or less, made by one of these techniques, are superior dispersants and provide polymer polyols having higher styrene contents, and improved stability and viscosity properties. In one aspect, the epoxy modified polyols contain a significant amount of high moleular weight polyol adducts; generally from about 5 to about 30 wt. % of materials having a GPC molecular weight of greater than 100,000; and at least greater than 80,000.

Abstract: Rigid polyurethane-modified polyisocyanuate compositions having improved physical properties are obtained by curing thermosettable compositions containing alkoxylated aromatic compounds, organic polyisocyanates and cyclic alkylene carbonates using an isocyanate trimerization catalyst. The use of an alkoxylated aromatic compound permits a reduction in the proportion of organic polyisocyanate required to achieve satisfactory tensile strength and stiffness. The cured compositions are useful for the production of composites as well as molded articles containing reinforcing fillers.

Abstract: Novel polyether polyols are disclosed which contain an internal block of isobutylene oxide or a mixture of isobutylene oxide and a mono- or unsaturated alkylene oxide and an end-cap of a mono- or unsubstituted alkylene oxide to provide reactive primary or secondary hydroxyl end-groups. The polyether polyols are useful intermediates in the production of segmented elastomers. A process for the preparation of the novel polyols is also described in which an alkali metal catalyst and a crown ether cocatalyst are employed to afford polyols containing relatively low levels of unsaturation.

Abstract: A process for making high-purity foam moldings without the use of organic blowing agents involves the use of inorganic gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air and other pneumatogens.The process involves the simultaneous impregnation and purification of the polymers with or without foaming. If foaming is not done in the extractor, the polymeric particles can be foamed in pre-expanders or expanded and molded in downstream equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the oxidation of a cycloalkane to produce a product comprised of cycloalkylhydroperoxide with the removal of a vapor stream from the oxidation zone wherein oxidation products such as hydroperoxide, cycloalkanol and cycloalkanone are separated from the removed stream before the stream is recycled to the oxidation zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the conversion of saturated paraffin hydrocarbons having 4 or more carbon atoms to olefins having fewer carbon atoms. In particular, the invention provides for contact of a mixture of 40 to 95 wt % paraffin hydrocarbons having 4 or more carbon atoms and 5 to 60 wt % olefins having 4 or more carbon atoms with solid zeolitic catalyst such as ZSM-5 at conditions effective to form propylene and the separation of light olefins from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Thermoplastic copolymers having excellent tensile and heat resistance properties are obtained by copolymerization of a monovinyl aromatic monomer, an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydride, an .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid, and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid. In a preferred embodiment, a styrene/maleic anhydride/methacrylic acid/methyl methacrylate random copolymer is prepared. Impact properties are improved by incorporation of an elastomer.