Abstract: A method is provided for the separation by extractive distillation of oxygenated impurities from a monoepoxide while avoiding epoxide loss, wherein lower glycol is used as extractive solvent in amounts so as to provide only up to about 0.3 mol % solvent in the vapor in the extractive distillation zone.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran has been polymerized and copolymerized to form polymers of 1000 to 10,000 molecular weight using fuming sulfuric acid with a cocatalyst selected from salts of Group VA metal halides and superacid salts. The cocatalyst salts may be, for example, NaPF.sub.6, NaSbF.sub.6, and LiO.sub.3 SCF.sub.3.

Abstract: A stabilizer for polymer/polyols characterized by four key features: (1) prepared from a starting polyol having a functionality greater than 4; (2) having at least 60% retained unsaturation; (3) having a viscosity greater than 2000 cSt; and (4) prepared where the starting polyol is capped with alkylene oxide and/or the adduct formed between the starting polyol and the reactive unsaturated compound is capped with ethylene oxide.

Abstract: A process for the hydrogenation of ACP to MBA over a supported palladium catalyst wherein a solvent comprised of ethylbenzene and/or MBA is employed and a small amount of water effective to suppress catalyst deactivation is incorporated in the feed. A further improvement comprises maintaining hydrogen pressure on the catalyst during and between hydrogenation runs.

Abstract: Aromatic bis (dialkyl) ureas such as the bis (dimethyl) urea of 2,4-toluenediamine are prepared by reacting an aromatic diamine with isocyanic acid (HNCO) to convert the amino groups of the diamine to urea groups (--NHCONH.sub.2) to give an aromatic bis urea which is then reacted with a dialkyl amine having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms to produce the desired aromatic bis (dialkyl) urea.

Abstract: A method of introducing flame retardants into expandable vinyl aromatic polymer beads made in a one-step process is disclosed. Flame retardants with good solubility in blowing agents are introduced after monomer conversion is substantially complete, resulting in vinyl aromatic polymer beads with low residual monomer content.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide and organic active oxygen-containing compounds in an organic stream, such as that from a methyl benzyl alcohol oxidate after hydrogen peroxide separation, are selectively decomposed by contact with an alumina catalyst, the organic active oxygen materials selectively decomposing to acetophenone and methyl benzyl alcohol.

Abstract: Present invention relates to the production of propylene oxide by reaction of propylene with a C.sub.4 or higher hydroperoxide wherein at least a portion of the propylene is derived from the hydroperoxide moiety.

Abstract: A novel method is provided for the preparation of a esterified propoxylated glycerin having food grade quality by reacting at temperatures of from about 100.degree. C. to about 250.degree. C. a propoxylated glycerin having from 2 to 100 oxypropylene oxide units per glycerin with excess C10-C24 fatty acids and purifying the reactant product by methanol extraction or steam stripping and neutralization of excess fatty acid.

Abstract: Aqueous solutions of alkali metal silicate are hardened using blends of alkylene carbonates and aliphatic alcohols such as alkylene diols, polyalkylene glycols, or hydroxyalkyl ethers. The aliphatic alcohol decreases the set time from that obtained using alkylene carbonate alone. The hardened alkali metal silicate compositions are useful as binders in the preparation of foundry molds or in other applications requiring agglomeration of particulate matter.

Abstract: Fire-retardant expandable vinyl aromatic polymer beads are prepared by an aqueous suspension method whereby micronized hexabromocyclododecane and a volatile aliphatic hydrocarbon foaming agent are incorporated into particles of a thermoplastic such as polystyrene. The beads are useful in the preparation of molded foam articles having excellent resistance to flame.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the preparation of methylene diphenylene diisocyanates (MDI) and polymethylene polyphenylene poly (isocyanates) (PMDI) by the thermal decomposition of a methylene diphenylene bis (dialkylurea) or a polymethylene polyphenylene poly (alkylurea) in a solvent in the presence of an organic sulfonic acid or sulfonated aromatic ion exchange resin as a promoter for conversion of the urea groups to the corresponding isocyanate.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is produced by liquid phase molecular oxygen oxidation of methyl benzyl alcohol. Inhibiting impurities are removed prior to oxidation.

Abstract: Discrete, non-agglomerating particles of polyalkylene carbonate are produced by solvent/non-solvent precipitation using certain solvent/non-solvent systems. The free-flowing particles obtaine are from 30 to 3000 microns in diameter and are suitable for use in a variety of applications, particularly the preparation of foamed articles.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyethers is disclosed in which an oxetane monomer, or a mixture of an oxetane monomer and an oxolane monomer, and a carboxylic acid anhydride are contacted with a bleaching earth catalyst. The process yields ester-terminated polyethers which may be saponified to obtain hydroxy-terminated polyether polyols.

Abstract: A method of treating wastewater containing water-insoluble high molecular weight polyether polyol impurities is disclosed. The method comprises reacting the aqueous waste stream with an oxidizing agent and optionally with a transition metal catalyst. The molecular weight of the polyol impurities is reduced to less than about 1,000, thereby improving the biodegradability of the stream.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resin compositions having good toughness and resistance to heat deformation are obtained by blending crystalline propylene polymers, elastomeric olefin polymers, random styrenic copolymers, and epoxy group-containing copolymers. For example, the composition may be a blend of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer rubber, styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, and ethylene/glycidyl methacrylate or ethylene/glycidol methacrylate/vinyl acetate copolymer. Physical properties are enhanced by the use of a two step blending procedure.

Abstract: Novel polyurethane resin foam compositions are provided which are only water-blown and require no halocarbon blowing agents, yet suffer no degradation in physical properties. The formulations include a hydrated salt containing at least two hydrated salts that release water at a temperature above 80.degree. C. By using at least an acidic salt and a basic salt, the pH of the salt system may be balanced. A preferred hydrated salt system is a combination of borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) and alum (aluminum potassium sulfate dodecahydrate).

Abstract: Laminated composites including method for the preparation thereof comprising forming in combination in a mold at least one layer of a rigid polyurethane modified polyisocyanurate by reacting in said mold, a reaction mixture of an organic di- or polyisocyanate, a cyclic alkylene carbonate and a polyether polyol in the presence of a soluble adduct aminecarbonate catalyst, and at least one layer of material selected from metal, plastic, cellulose, glass and ceramic or combinations thereof. The electrically conductive "metal clad" laminates are especially usefual as printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Partially esterified oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (PEPs) of the formula [P--O--R).sub.x ].sub.n, where P is a polysaccharide having n=3-50 (preferably 3-10) C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 saccharide units, y is 0-4 (preferably 1 or 2), R is H or a C.sub.3 -C.sub.28 acyl group, and x is the degree of esterification ranging from 1-80 percent. The PEPs are used as indigestible fat substitutes (fat mimetics). They have non-caloric food values, with good organoleptic characteristics, are substantially resistant to intestinal absorption and do not appreciably hydrolyze in the digestive tract. Suitable polysaccharides are preferably selected from xanthan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, aliginates, cellulose hydrolysis products, hydroxypropyl cellulose, starch hydrolysis products, casein, Karaya gum and pectin. C.sub.5 and C.sub.6 oligosaccharides of n=3-10 units are preferred. The polysaccharides are transesterified with fatty acid methyl esters to create PEPs of a degree of esterification determined for each polysaccharide.