Abstract: Processes for preparing an amine, the processes comprising: reacting a reactant selected from the group consisting of primary alcohols, secondary alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, and mixtures thereof, with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound selected from the group consisting of ammonia, primary amines, secondary amines and mixtures thereof, in the presence of a zirconium dioxide-, copper- and nickel-containing catalyst; wherein the catalyst comprises a catalytically active composition which comprises, before reduction with hydrogen, oxygen compounds of zirconium, copper, and nickel, 1.5 to 4.5% by weight of an oxygen compound of cobalt, calculated as CoO, and 0.2 to 5.0% by weight of at least one oxygen compound of niobium, sulfur, phosphorus, gallium, boron, lead or antimony, calculated in each case as Nb2O5, H2SO4, H3PO4, Ga2O3, B2O3, PbO and Sb2O3 respectively, and wherein the catalytically active composition does not comprise any molybdenum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for the oxidation of SO2 to SO3. The catalyst contains an active substance which contains vanadium, alkali metal compounds and sulfate applied to a support. The support contains naturally occurring diatomaceous earth, wherein the support contains at least one relatively soft naturally occurring uncalcined diatomaceous earth which has a percentage reduction of at least 35% in its D50 value determined in a particle size determination according to the dry method in comparison with the wet method.

Abstract: A synergistic herbicidal mixture comprising A) picolinafen; or one of its environmentally compatible salts; and B) a synergistically effective amount of at least a sulfonylurea of formula II wherein the variables A, B, X and R1 to R3 have the meanings given in the specification; and, if desired, C) at least a safener. Compositions comprising these mixtures, processes for the preparation of these compositions and their use for controlling undesired plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid suspension concentrate formulations for plant protection comprising: 2-chloro-5-[3,6-dihydro-3-methyl-2,6-dioxo-4-(trifluoromethyl)-1-(2H)pyrimidinyl]-4-fluoro-N-[[methyl(1-methylethyl)amino]sulfonyl]benzamide in the form of the crystalline anhydrate; at least one diluent selected from: hydrocarbon solvents having a boiling point of at least 100° C.; and C1-C8-alkyl esters of C8-C26-fatty acids, mono- and di-C1-C4-alkyl amides of C8-C26-fatty acids; at least two different non-ionic surfactants selected from poly-ethoxylate-co-C3-C4-alk0xylat.es of C3-C20-alkanols, polyethoxylates of C8-C22-alkanols, polyester-polyoxyethylene block copolymers, polyethoxylates of mono-, di- or tristyryl phenols and polyethoxylates of vegetable oils; and at least one anionic surfactant selected from C1-C16-alkylarene sulfonates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermoplastic molding composition comprising the following components: A) 20 to 98.99% by weight of at least one polyamide, B) 0.01 to 40% by weight of at least one branched polyimide selected from condensates of either b1) at least one polyisocyanate having an average of more than two isocyanate groups per molecule or b2) at least one polyamine having an average of more than two amino groups per molecule and b3) at least one polycarboxylic acid having at least three COOH groups per molecule or its anhydride C) 1 to 59% by weight of at least one flame retardant selected from the group of c1) phosphorus-containing flame retardants c2) nitrogen-containing flame retardants and mixtures of these, D) 0 to 50% by weight of further additives, where the total of the proportions by weight is 100% by weight based on the molding composition.

Abstract: A process for producing water-absorbing polymer particles by polymerizing an aqueous monomer solution in a kneader having at least two shafts in axially parallel rotation, wherein the reaction mixture is transported in axial direction and the region at the start of the kneader is trace-heated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a coating composition, comprising shaped transition metal, especially silver, particles and a binder, wherein the ratio of pigment to binder is such that the resulting coating shows an angle dependent colour change. When the coating compositions of the present invention are used in coating a hologram the obtained products show a an angle dependent colour change (flip/flop effect), different colours in reflection and transmission, an extremely bright OVD image and extremely strong rainbow effect, high purity and contrast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel enzymatically catalyzed method for the production of asymmetric aromatic aldehydes in an aqueous reaction medium containing certain organic co-solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for synthesis of metallic island coatings with tunable island coverage and morphology on a variety of substrates. Particularly, the present invention relates to substrates coated with one or more metal islands and the use of said island-coated substrates.

Abstract: A process for producing high resilience flexible polyurethane foams. The process includes forming a mixture of (a) isocyanate prepolymer, (b) polymeric compounds having isocyanate-reactive groups, (c) castor oil, (d) optionally chain-extending and/or crosslinking agents, (e) catalysts, (f) blowing agents, and optionally (g) additives, and reacting the mixture to form the flexible polyurethane foam. More than 5 wt % of (c) is used, based on the total weight of components (b) to (g), and (a) is obtained by mixing diphenylmethane diisocyanate (a1) and polyol 1 (a2) and also optionally further polyols, chain extenders and/or crosslinkers, where (a2) includes a polyalkylene oxide polyol having a hydroxyl number of 30 to 60, an average functionality of 2.3 to 3.2 and a propylene oxide fraction, based on the alkylene oxide content, of 70 to 100 wt %. A polyurethane foam obtained by the process, and the use of such a foam as an auto seat.

Abstract: A process for continuously producing water-absorbing polymer particles, in a continuous polymerization reactor, wherein the amount of initiator used and/or the intensity of the UV radiation optionally used to initiate the polymerization is reduced after the startup of the polymerization reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite materials comprising a reaction product of (A) at least one organic polymer, (B) sulfur, (C) carbon in a polymorph which comprises at least 60% sp2-hybridized carbon atoms, and (D) 2-20% by weight of a perfluorinated or partly fluorinated polymer, based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C) used before reaction, and also to a process for producing inventive composite materials and to the use of inventive composite materials.

Abstract: What is proposed is a process for preparing aminopolycarboxylates proceeding from the corresponding polyalkanolamines by oxidative dehydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst comprising 1 to 90% by weight of copper, based on the total weight of the catalyst, using a base, which comprises first performing a partial conversion of the polyalkanolamine to a reaction mixture comprising the aminopolycarboxylate at a temperature in the range from 140 to 180° C. until at least 10 to 90 mol % of the polyalkanolamine has been depleted, and then continuing the conversion at elevated temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanates from natural raw material sources, in which a composition comprising low molecular weight aromatics which comprise at least one hydroxy group or at least one alkoxy group per molecule (oxyaromatics) is produced from a biomass material, these oxyaromatics are converted into the corresponding aromatic amines and, optionally after condensation with formaldehyde, reacted further with phosgene to give compounds comprising isocyanate groups.

Abstract: What is proposed is a centrifugal droplet separator for separating liquid droplets out of a feed gas stream comprising them, with a vertical longitudinal axis and circular cross section, with a jacket (1) and with hoods (2) at the upper and lower ends of the jacket (1), with tangential supply (3) of the feed gas stream comprising liquid droplets at the jacket (1) and with an outlet stub (4) for the liquid separated out in the centrifugal droplet separator in the region of the lower hood (2), and with a gas outlet stub (7) for the gas stream cleaned in the centrifugal droplet separator in the region of the upper hood (2), wherein two, three or more inlet orifices (9) arranged symmetrically on the circumference of the upper hood (2) for tangential supply of cleaning liquid are provided in the same direction as the supply of the feed gas stream comprising liquid droplets.

Abstract: A composite includes a first preform and a second preform spaced from and in overlying relationship to the first preform. The second preform defines at least one first opening extending therethrough along an axis transverse to the first preform. A first surface layer is disposed adjacent to the second preform and on an opposite side of the second preform from the first preform. A polymeric composition including the reaction product of an isocyanate component and an isocyanate-reactive component is disposed between the first preform and the second preform. The polymeric composition adheres the first surface layer to the second preform through the at least one first opening. The surface layer is adhered to the second preform during molding of the composite article and in the absence of additional adhesive, thereby reducing production time and cost of the composite article.

Abstract: A high solids, non-aqueous dispersion, clearcoat composition is disclosed, comprising a functional polymer selected from the group consisting of a) carbamate-functional polymers and b) hydroxyl-functional polymers; c) a curing agent selected from the group consisting of aminoplast resins and blocked polyisocyanates; and d) a weak non-polar solvent, wherein the coating is high solids, substantially clear and transparent, and further comprises a dispersed phase and a continuous phase.

Abstract: A process for preparing an amine by reacting a primary or secondary alcohol, aldehyde and/or ketone with hydrogen and a nitrogen compound selected from the group of ammonia and primary and secondary amines, in the presence of a supported copper-, nickel- and cobalt-containing catalyst, wherein the catalytically active material of the catalyst, before the reduction thereof with hydrogen, comprises oxygen compounds of aluminum, of copper, of nickel, of cobalt and of tin, and in the range from 0.2 to 5.0% by weight of oxygen compounds of yttrium, of lanthanum, of cerium and/or of hafnium, each calculated as Y2O3, La2O3, Ce2O3 and Hf2O3 respectively, and catalysts as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention relates to amphiphilic water-soluble alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines having an inner polyethylene oxide block comprising 20 to 50 polyethylene oxide units and an outer polypropylene oxide block comprising 10 to 50 polyethylene oxide units and especially to such alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines wherein the ratio of polyethylene oxide units and polypropylene oxide units is proportionally related to the square root of the number of polyalkyleneimine units present in the backbone. The present invention further relates to the use of these alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines as a soil detachment promoting additive to laundry detergents and cleaning compositions and to laundry detergents and cleaning compositions which comprise these alkoxylated mono- or polyalkyleneimines.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention pertain to a catalyst, which may be used in a catalytic converter for treating a gas stream containing pollutants. In an embodiment, the catalyst comprises a substrate having a plurality of axially enclosed channels defined by the porous wall elements extending between an inlet end and an outlet end. Washcoat particles are disposed substantially within the pores of the walls, and the surfaces of the wall elements have a porous, rough texture after coating with the washcoat and substantially no fillets formed on the channels.