Abstract: An apparatus for the molecular oxygen oxidation of a secondary alcohol such as isopropanol to hydrogen peroxide is provided.

Abstract: Spandex-type segmented polyurethane/urea elastomers having exceptional elongation, hysteresis, recovery, and other physical properties are prepared by the amine chain extension of an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer prepared by the reaction of a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate with a polyol blend comprising a low molecular weight diol having a molecular weight below 750 Da with a high molecular weight glycol which may be a 1500 Da to 20,000 Da molecular weight, ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene glycol with an unsaturation of less than about 0.010 meq/g.

Abstract: A process for activating double metal cyanide catalysts is disclosed. A polyol starter or starter/catalyst mixture is heated under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve improved stripping compared with that which can be achieved through conventional vacuum stripping. Coupling vacuum stripping with inert gas sparging or stripping in the presence of an organic solvent gives a starter/catalyst mixture that activates rapidly in an epoxide polymerization process. Rapid activation makes process start-ups reliable and reduces cycle time. The process gives polyols with lower viscosity, lower polydispersity, and lower unsaturation for better polyurethanes.

Abstract: A reactor and process is for the production of oxirane compounds by reaction of an olefin such as propylene with an organic hydroperoxide using a solid contact catalyst, characterized by the following features:(1) the reactor is divided into a series of separate zones, each zone containing a bed of solid epoxidation catalyst;(2) conditions are maintained so as to provide the liquid phase without substantial vapor formation throughout the entire reactor;(3) cold reactor feed is provided which is preheated to reaction temperature by separate indirect heat exchange with reaction liquid from various of the separate reactor zones;(4) reaction liquid from the last of the series of reaction zones is reduced in pressure to form a gas-liquid mixture at a lower temperature, and this gas liquid mixture is heated by indirect heat exchange with the reaction liquid from at least one of the separate reactor zones.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation and use of novel polyurethane polyuretidione crosslinking agents in solvent and water borne coatings systems. These polyuretidione polyurethanes are characterized by their relatively low solution viscosity, and the ability to provide a relatively high crosslink density in the final, cured film, and thereby, coatings with the excellent physical properties and resistance to chemical and environmental exposure of known polyurethane systems without the potential for worker exposure to toxic isocyanates. This invention also relates to a process for the production of these polyuretidiones and their use in pseudo-one and two component coating compositions.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene polyols containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof as are produced during the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyols by the double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation of a suitably functional hydric initiator are stable without catalyst removal. Isocyanate-terminated prepolymers prepared from such polyols are surprisingly viscosity-stable relative to similar prepolymers prepared from polyols not containing double metal cyanide complexes or residues thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition being an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane in water, said composition comprising water and the reaction product of (a) a water-dispersible isocyanate-terminated polyurethane prepolymer having an isocyanate content of between 1 and 15% by weight. The prepolymer comprises the following: an organic polyisocyanate adduct mixture having an average isocyanate functionality of between 2.0 and 4.0, and (b) an isocyanate reactive chain extender having a specified ratio of isocyanate reactive moiety to isocyanate index of the polyisocyanate adduct mixture. The polyisocyanate mixture must contain some dimer; however, other polyisocyanates, such as diisocyanates and polyisocyanate trimers, are advantageously added to the mixture. Also disclosed is a process for preparing this composition, and a method for coating a substrate with the composition.

Abstract: Processes for making poly(thioether ether)s and hydroxy-terminated poly(thioether ether)s are disclosed. The poly(thioether ether)s are made by bulk free-radical polymerization of diallyl ether and an aliphatic C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 dithiol. Liquid polymers are obtained when mixtures of two or more dithiols are used. Hydroxy-terminated products are obtained by reacting the poly(thioether ether)s with allyl alcohol under free-radical conditions.

Abstract: The activity of titanium-containing heterogeneous catalysts such as titania-on-silica which have been used to catalyze olefin epoxidation is effectively restored by heating in the presence of oxygen at a temperature of 700.degree. C. or greater. Epoxide selectivity is enhanced by treatment of the heated catalyst with a silylating agent, even where the used catalyst had been silylated when initially prepared.

Abstract: Polyurethane elastomers exhibiting improved green strength while maintaining short demold times are prepared from ultra-low unsaturation polyoxypropylene polyols containing up to 20 weight percent internal random oxyethylene moieties. The elastomers adsorb less than 10 weight percent water at 0.degree. C. The internal polyoxyethylene moiety-containing polyoxypropylene polyols may be used to prepare ultra-low unsaturation polyoxyethylene capped polyols which are haze-free and which may be used to prepare haze-free 4,4'-MDI prepolymers. Multidisperse blends of monodisperse internal oxyethylene moiety-containing polyoxypropylene polyols of ultra-low unsaturation provide yet further improvements in elastomer processing.

Abstract: Highly active double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a DMC complex, and organic complexing agent, and from about 5 to about 80 wt. %, based on the amount of catalyst, of a polyether having a number average molecular weight less than about 500. The catalysts polymerize propylene oxide at a rate in excess of about 1 kg PO/g Co/min. at 100 ppm catalyst, based on the weight of finished polyether, at 105.degree. C. The catalysts, which are easy to prepare, give polyether polyols with exceptionally low unsaturation levels.

Abstract: A process for alkoxylating phenols is disclosed. The process comprises reacting a carbonyl-functionalized phenol with an alkylene oxide in the presence of a substantially non-crystalline double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst. The process offers fast reaction times at low catalyst levels, reduced problems with condensation side reactions, and low-color, low-viscosity, low-polydispersity alkoxylated phenols. The process enables efficient preparation of alkoxylated carbonyl-functonalized phenols that are especially valuable in the surfactant industry.

Abstract: Polymer scale removal from vinyl polymerization reactors is effected without the use of polar aprotic solvents or aromatic solvents, by adding to the reactor, a scale removal composition comprising acetone, a most minor amount of a strong base, and a minor amount of a hydroxyl- or amino-functional polar organic solvent. The composition may contain surfactants, chelating or sequestering agents, detergent builders, and the like, and water in amounts of up to about 3 weight percent. Scale removal is efficient and rapid when the scale removing composition is agitated in the reactor at temperatures ranging from about 50.degree. C. to 120.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for making substantially non-crystalline double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts having improved activity and performance is disclosed. The process comprises using a metal salt having an alkalinity within the range of about 0.2 to about 2.0 wt. % as metal oxide based on the amount of metal salt to prepare the catalyst. Surprisingly, important polyol properties such as viscosity and unsaturation improve when the alkalinity of the metal salt used to make the DMC catalyst is properly controlled. The process allows catalyst producers to enjoy the benefits of substantially non-crystalline DMC catalysts even when relatively inexpensive, technical-grade metal salts are used to make the catalyst.

Abstract: Direct oxidation of propylene to propylene oxide is accomplished using alkaline earth metal compound-supported silver catalysts containing an inorganic chloride promoter and a potassium promoter derived from a potassium salt containing a nitrogen oxyanion or precursor thereof.

Abstract: Olefins are selectively converted to epoxides using hydrogen peroxide as oxidant in a single liquid phase reaction system characterized by a liquid phase comprised predominantly of an organic solvent. The reaction is catalyzed by a compound comprised of a phosphate-stabilized peroxotungstate species having a W:P atomic ratio of 2:1.

Abstract: A low-cost way to modulate the reactivity and acid number of polyetherester thermoset resins is disclosed. "Beginning" and "end" methods for making dicyclopentadiene (DCPD)-modified polyetherester resins are described. The "beginning" method comprises first heating a polyether, DCPD, a diol, an insertion catalyst, and a carboxylic acid derivative to produce a mixture that contains the polyether and a DCPD-diol diester adduct. Increasing the temperature causes insertion of the DCPD-diol diester into the polyether to give a DCPD polyetherester resin. The "end" method reacts a polyetherester resin made by insertion with DCPD to give a DCPD polyetherester resin. Compared with DCPD polyester resins, those of the invention give more flexible thermosets. Compared with unmodified polyetherester resins, the DCPD polyetherester resins offer formulators more control over curing, which eliminates mold distortion and shrinking or cracking of thermoset parts.

Abstract: Highly active double metal cyanide (DMC) complex catalysts and methods for making them are disclosed. The catalysts contain less than about 0.2 moles of metal salt per mole of DMC compound in the catalyst, and unlike other highly active DMC catalysts, are substantially crystalline. Polyether polyols made from the catalysts have low unsaturation and are useful for making many types of polyurethane products.

Abstract: Double metal cyanide-catalyzed polyols are made by an improved process in which a starter is continuously added during polymerization of the epoxide. The process includes a continuously added starter (S.sub.c), and optionally, an initially charged starter (S.sub.i). The continuously added starter comprises at least about 2 equivalent percent of the total starter used. The process enables the use of water and low molecular weight polyol starters in DMC-catalyzed polyol synthesis. In addition, the process gives polyether polyols having reduced levels of high molecular weight polyol tail, which can adversely affect polyurethane foam processing.

Abstract: An aqueous epoxidation process stream containing molybdenum and sodium values is incinerated and an aqueous solution containing molybdenum and sodium is recovered, acidified and reacted with a calcium compound without first adding base to form solid CaMoO.sub.4 which is separated.