Abstract: Propylene oxide is formed by reaction of hydrogen, oxygen, and propylene over a solid catalyst such as Pd on TS-1, the reaction being carried out in carbon dioxide solvent at conditions effective to provide a dense phase reaction mixture.

Abstract: Propylene oxide is produced by liquid phase reaction of propylene oxygen and hydrogen in contact with a solid epoxidation catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure, the reaction conditions being regulated to provide a weight ratio of dissolved oxygen to dissolved hydrogen in the liquid reaction mixture of at least 16.

Abstract: An alkylene carbonate such as propylene carbonate is contacted with an alumina or silica solid adsorbent having a surface area of 50-400 m2/g such as basic alumina to remove impurities therefrom and improve color and color stability.

Abstract: A method of preparing UV-curable urethane compositions is disclosed. The method comprises two steps. First, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) reacts with a hydroxy-functional resin to form an NCO prepolymer. Second, the NCO prepolymer reacts with a hydroxy-functional ethylenic monomer to form the UV-curable urethane composition. The hydroxy-functional resin comprises at least about 2 wt % of recurring units of a propoxylated allylic alcohol. The method of the invention allows the preparation of UV-curable urethane compositions from acrylic polyols without gel.

Abstract: Alkoxylated acrylate and methacrylate macromonomers are disclosed that are useful in the preparation of water-reducing additives for concrete, ultraviolet light-curable adhesives, and water-dispersed polyurethanes. The macromonomers are suitably prepared by alkoxylating a hydroxyalkylacrylate or hydroxyalkylmethacrylate in the presence of a DMC catalyst using the continuous addition of starter (CAOS) in order to prevent the formation of by-products during the fabrication of the macromonomer.

Abstract: A process for making crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-P) is disclosed. Crosslinker generation, followed by polymerization of NVP, gives a polymer containing up to 4 wt. % of residual NVP. An aqueous mixture of the polymer is then heated in the presence of a protic acid at pH<4 to eliminate NVP. Finally, the PVP-P is neutralized with aqueous alkali metal hydroxide. The process generates a reduced volume of low-toxicity aqueous waste (<20 L/kg PVP-P) and gives PVP-P that meets important product specifications.

Abstract: Highly selective and productive epoxidation catalysts are prepared by combining a titanium zeolite, palladium, and a gold promoter. The resulting materials are useful catalysts for transforming olefins to epoxides in the reaction of an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen.

Abstract: Allyl carbamates are disclosed. The allyl carbamates are prepared by reacting an isocyanate with an allylic alcohol or alkoxylated allylic alcohol. Suitable isocyanates are selected from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), HDI biuret, dimer, HDI trimer, HDI allophanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), IPDI trimer, IPDI allophanate, bis(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, and mixtures thereof. The allyl carbamates have at least two allyl functional groups per molecule. UV-curable and air-drying coatings formulated from the allyl carbamates show excellent chemical resistance and physical properties.

Abstract: The invention is a method to purify an alkylene carbonate such as propylene carbonate by contact with at least two solid adsorbents comprising carbon and an inorganic silicon or aluminum oxide. The purification method successfully improves color and color stability while also reducing the amount of catalyst impurity contained in the alkylene carbonate.

Abstract: A process for the production of an oxirane compound by reaction of an olefin with a hydroperoxide reactant in the presence of a solid epoxidation catalyst, wherein the olefin and hydroperoxide reactants are first reacted in it least two fixed bed reactors packed with fresh catalyst, olefin being fed serially to said reactors and hydroperoxide reactant being fed in parallel to said reactors and thereafter the reactor effluent from the last of said reactors is passed to as least one further fixed bed reactor packed with epoxidation catalyst which has been at least partially deactivated.

Abstract: A pigment dispersion suitable for use in the manufacture of pigmented coating compositions is provided. The pigment dispersion comprises a) pigment, b) carrier, and c) an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer dispersant wherein the polyether portion of the copolymer is free of any acidic groups. A method of making a present dispersion is also provided. The method comprises mixing together, in any combination: a) pigment, b) carrier, and c) an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer dispersant wherein the polyether portion of the copolymer is free of any acidic groups. A pigmented coating composition is also provided comprising a pigment dispersion made in accordance with present invention.

Abstract: The process for removing impurities from a liquid by contact with a solid adsorbent using parallel contact adsorbent beds such that when one bed is contacting the liquid the parallel bed is being regenerated by contact with heated inert gas, wherein during changeover of the beds inert gas is transferred from the regenerated bed to the spent bed during the period that liquid is being drained from the spent bed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the production of oxirane compounds by reaction of an olefin such as propylene with an organic hydroperoxide using a solid contact catalyst, characterized in that a series of separate reaction zones are used, each packed with epoxidation catalyst, and the concentration of hydroperoxide in the feed to each reaction zone is maintained below 8 wt %.

Abstract: The stability of a noble metal/titanium zeolite catalyst is improved by elevated temperature calcination with an oxygen containing gas; the catalyst is useful in epoxidation involving the reaction of olefin, oxygen and hydrogen.

Abstract: Allyl carbamates are disclosed. The allyl carbamates are prepared by reacting an isocyanate with an allylic alcohol or alkoxylated allylic alcohol. Suitable isocyanates are selected from hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), HDI biuret, dimer, HDI trimer, HDI allophanate, isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), IPDI trimer, IPDI allophanate, bis(isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, and mixtures thereof. The allyl carbamates have at least two allyl functional groups per molecule. UV-curable and air-drying coatings formulated from the allyl carbamates show excellent chemical resistance and physical properties.

Abstract: A process for making unsaturated polyesters from 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) is disclosed. The process comprises reacting one equivalent of an aromatic diacid with about two equivalents of MPD to produce an ester diol and then reacting one equivalent of the ester diol with from about 1.1 to about 1.9 equivalents of maleic anhydride to produce the polyester. The polyester has a fumarate/maleate ratio of 90/10 or greater.

Abstract: Phenolic polyether polyols are prepared by a two stage oxyalkylation process, a first stage performed at a high oxyalkylation temperature and a second stage at a lower oxyalkylation temperature. Despite the use of high temperature during oxyalkylation, polydispersity is substantially unaffected, while process time is drastically reduced.

Abstract: Alkoxylated acrylate and methacrylate macromonomers are disclosed that are useful in the preparation of water-reducing additives for concrete, ultraviolet light-curable adhesives, and water-dispersed polyurethanes. The macromonomers are suitably prepared by alkoxylating a hydroxyalkylacrylate or hydroxyalkylmethacrylate in the presence of a DMC catalyst using the continuous addition of starter (CAOS) in order to prevent the formation of by-products during the fabrication of the macromonomer.

Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of construction materials is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A wallboard is provided including two sheets of board paper, and a gypsum core between the sheets of board paper.

Abstract: A gypsum composition suitable for use in the manufacture of construction materials is provided. The gypsum composition includes gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A method of making a gypsum composition is also provided. The method includes mixing together, in any combination, gypsum, water, and a dispersant formulation comprising an acrylic/polyether comb-branched copolymer. A wallboard is provided including two sheets of board paper, and a gypsum core between the sheets of board paper.