Abstract: The oxidation of ethylbenzene to products comprised of ethylbenzene hydroperoxide and acetophenone is modified in order to enhance acetophenone production by reducing the alkali content of the oxidation mixture below 0.1 ppm and by incorporation of 0.05 to 2 wt. % water in the oxidation mixture.

Abstract: Water-insoluble crystallizable epoxy alcohols such as phenyl glycidol are recovered from epoxidation reaction mixtures by washing the mixture with water, concentrating the mixture by distillation under vacuum to remove unreacted hydroperoxide and alcohol co-product, and crystallizing the epoxy alcohol from solution. Minimal decomposition of the epoxy alcohol is observed.

Abstract: Moldable blends of rubber modified styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, core-shell graft copolymer modified polybutylene terephthalate ester, and styrene-maleimide copolymer having pendant carboxyl or hydroxyl groups are provided. The compositions of this invention exhibit co-continuous resin phases and facilitate the production of blow molded articles which exhibit ductility.

Abstract: A moldable polymer composition comprising an acetophenone based bisphenol polyarylate resin and a monovinyl aromatic/N-arylmaleimide copolymer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the N-arylmaleimide containing copolymer is rubber modified by the incorporation of an elastomeric polymer during the formation of the copolymer. In another embodiment, the moldable polymer composition is rubber modified by the incorporation of an elastomeric polymer using any conventional method of blending.

Abstract: The process of enabling foam moldings to expand further than otherwise by impregnating the expanded sheet with inorganic gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air and other pneumatogens prior to reheating to effect expansion.

Abstract: Purification of tetrahydrofuran from the dehydrocyclization of 1,4-butanediol in the presence of an organic acid catalyst has been accomplished by the extractive distillation of crude tetrahydrofuran containing water using monopropylene glycol as an extractive solvent.

Abstract: Moldable blends of rubber modified styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, core-shell graft copolymer modified polybutylene terephthalate ester, and styrene-methylmethacrylate copolymer having pendant carboxy ester groups are provided. The compositions of this invention exhibit co-continuous resin phases and facilitate the production of blow molded articles which exhibit ductility.

Abstract: The process of making foam moldings without the use of organic blowing agents involves the use of inorganic gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, air, solid carbon dioxide and other pneumatogens. Because of the rapidity with which these gases diffuse out of the polymer particles, it is necessary to pre-expand the particles and then reimpregnate the particles with the same or different gas.

Abstract: Polyols containing polyether and polyester moieties, based on phthalic acid are described. A phthalic acid derivative is reacted with a polyether polyol to give the novel polyols which are useful not only in polyisocyanurate foams, but also polyurethane foams as well. The phthalic acid derivative may be phthalic acid, phthalic anhydride and an ester of phthalic acid, for example. The polyester polyol is made from an initiator selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, alkyleneamines, arylamines, sucrose, glycerin, sorbitol, .alpha.-methylglucoside, .beta.-methylglucoside, and mixtures thereof. The polyester polyol may be made by alkoxylating the initiators.

Abstract: Hydrogen peroxide is produced by liquid phase molecular oxygen oxidation of methyl benzyl alcohol, water concentration in the reaction mixture being maintained below 4% by weight, more preferably below 2% by weight, and most preferably below 1% by weight.

Abstract: A process is provided whereby the hydrogen peroxide-containing oxidate from methyl benzyl alcohol oxidation is contacted with ethyl benzene extractive solvent and a hydrogen peroxide phase is separated from a solvent phase which also contains methyl benzyl alcohol and acetophenone.

Abstract: A copolymer of recurring units of at least one .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated monomer and recurring units of at least one copolymerizable comonomer comprising, in its preferred embodiment from about 20 to about 80 percent pendant carboxylic acid units and from about 80 to about 20 percent pendant carboxylate salt units, is blended with a heterocyclic carbonate to produce a water-absorbing composition upon curing. The composition is particularly suitable for fiber formation.

Abstract: Very low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy resin-modified polyols as dispersants. The epoxy resin-modified polyols useful as dispersants may be made by reacting a polyol initiator having an active hydrogen functionality of 3 to 8 and one or more alkylene oxides with an epoxy resin. It is preferred that all of the epoxy resin-modified base polyol dispersant be initially charged to the reactor, along with part of the base polyol. In this invention, the base polyol is a conventional polyol unmodified with epoxy resin. The use of epoxy resin-modified polyols as dispersants results in polymer polyols having higher styrene contents, and improved stability and viscosity properties.

Abstract: Primary and secondary hydroperoxide contaminants in a tertiary hydroperoxide composition obtained by oxidation of a branched hydrocarbon are removed by contacting the tertiary hydroperoxide with a carboxylic acid derivative such as an anhydride and a basic compound such as sodium hydroxide. A tertiary hydroperoxide such as tertiary butyl hydroperoxide is purified with minimal loss of the desired tertiary hydroperoxide.

Abstract: Moldable blends of styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer, polybutylene terephthalate ester, and styrene-maleimide copolymer having pendant carboxyl or hydroxyl groups are provided. In one embodimnent, the incorporation of the styrene-maleimide copolymer results in a composition having co-continuous phases. The compositions of this invention facilitate the production of blow molded articles.

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 amine-carbonate 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 useful as printed circuit boards.

Abstract: Novel amino polyols made by alkoxylating ethylene glycol diamine bottoms products, such as triethylene glycol diamine bottoms products, and tetraethylene glycol diamine bottoms products are described. For example, these bottoms products, alone or together, maybe propoxylated in a non-catalytic reaction to give amino polyols that are useful in producing rigid polyurethane foams. The resultant foams have better K-factors and a higher percentage of closed cells than comparable foams made with conventional amino polyols.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the preparation of aromatic mono- and poly-isocyanates by the thermal decomposition of an aromatic bis dialkyl urea in 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 isocyanates.

Abstract: A copolymer of recurring units of at least one .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated monomer and recurring units of at least one copolymerizable comonomer comprising, in its preferred embodiment from about 20 to about 80 percent pendant carboxylic acid units and from about 80 to about 20 percent pendant carboxylate salt units, is blended with at least one monomer containing at least two hydroxyl groups to produce a water-absorbing composition upon curing. The composition is particularly suitable for fiber formation.

Abstract: Laminated composites including methods for the preparation thereof comprising forming in combination in a mold at least one layer of a rigid polyisocyanurate by reacting in said mold a reaction mixture of an organic di- or polyisocyanate and a cyclic alkylene carbonate in the presence of a soluble adduct amine-carbonate catalyst, and at least one layer of material selected from metal, plastic, cellulose, glass and ceramic or combinations thereof.