Abstract: A process for producing sodium acrylate polymers by free-radical polymerization of sodium acrylate with or without other monomers in an aqueous medium, which comprises using sodium acrylate in the form of an aqueous solution or dispersion obtainable by dissolving or dispersing solid sodium acrylate in an aqueous medium. The polymers thus obtainable have an improved color number and a lower residual monomer content than conventional comparable polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process for the synthesis of propylene oxide, which comprises at least the following steps: (i) dehydrogenation of propane to give a substream T (0) comprising at least propane, propene and hydrogen; (ii) fractionation of the substream T (0) to give at least one gaseous hydrogen-rich substream T (2) and a substream T (1) comprising at least propene and propane; (iii) synthesis of hydrogen peroxide using the substream T (2), giving a substream T (4) which is rich in hydrogen peroxide and a gaseous substream T (6); (iv) fractionation of the substream T (1) to give at least one propane-rich substream T (5) and at least one propene-rich substream T (3); (v) reaction of the at least one substream T (3) with substream T (4) to give propylene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of enantiomerically pure (S)-3-methyl-amino-1-(thien-2-yl)propan-1-ol of the formula II-S by obtainment of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-thien-2-ylpropio-nitrile from its enantiomer mixture with the R isomer and the subsequent reaction of (S)-3-hydroxy-3-thien-2-ylpropionitrile with hydrogen and methylamine in the presence of a catalyst to give II-S.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polyetherol which comprises reacting at least one alkylene oxide with at least one starter compound in the presence of a catalyst of the formula I: M1p[M2qOn(OH)2(3?n)]x??(I), and to the polyetherols prepared by such a process and to their use for the synthesis of polyurethanes, as fuel additive or as surfactant.

Abstract: Use of copolymers containing alkylene oxide units which comprise (a) 50 to 93 mol % of acrylic acid and/or a water-soluble salt of acrylic acid, (b) 5 to 30 mol % of methacrylic acid and/or a water-soluble salt of methacrylic acid and (c) 2 to 20 mol % of at least one nonionic monomer of formula I in which the variables have the following meanings: R1 is hydrogen or methyl; R2 is a chemical bond or unbranched or branched C1-C6-alkylene; R3 are identical or different unbranched or branched C2-C4-alkylene radicals; R4 is unbranched or branched C1-C6-alkyl; n is 3 to 50, in random or block copolymerized form, as additive for detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing formic acid formates, whereby (a) formic acid methyl ester is partially hydrolysed with water; (b) formic acid methyl ester and methanol are separated by distillation from the reaction mixture obtained in step (a), forming a current containing formic acid and water; (c) the current obtained in step (b), containing the formic acid methyl ester and optionally methanol, is converted into a current containing formate and water, by (i) reaction with a basic compound having a pKa value of the corresponding acid of the corresponding dissociation step of=3, measured at 25° C. in an aqueous solution, in the presence of water, and (ii) separation by distillation of the methanol; and (d) the current obtained in step (b), containing formic acid and water, and the current obtained in step (c), containing formate and water, are combined to form a mixture containing the formic acid formate and water.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules, designated MCT nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel MCT proteins from Corynebacterium glutamicum are described. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing MCT nucleic acid molecules, and host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced. The invention still further provides isolated MCT proteins, mutated MCT proteins, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and methods for the improvement of production of a desired compound from C. glutamicum based on genetic engineering of MCT genes in this organism.

Abstract: Polyurethanes containing at least one free radically or cationically polymerizable unsaturated group and at least one capped amino group.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes for preparing 3-aminomethyl-3,5,5-trimethylcyclo-hexylamine (isophoronediamine, IPDA) having a high cis/trans isomer ratio. IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio in the range from 63/37 to 66/34 can be obtained in any desired cis/trans isomer ratio, irrespective of temperature, by reacting IPDA with H2 and NH3 in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. IPDA having a cis/trans isomer ratio of at least 73/27 which is an important starting material for the synthesis of polyurethanes and polyamides can be obtained by combining this isomerization process with distillative processes.

Abstract: In a process for the production of composite elements which have the following layer structure: (i) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, plastic or wood, (ii) from 10 to 300 mm of plastic and (iii) from 2 to 20 mm of metal, plastic or wood, the starting materials for the production of (ii) are introduced in the liquid state in at least two steps into the space between (i) and (iii), the space to be filled in the last filling process having a volume of from 0.1 to 1.5 m3 and the height of the space to be filled being less than 25 mm.

Abstract: Polymers comprising repeating units of the formula I: where the variables are defined as follows: a is an integer from 0 to 3, R1, R2, R3 are identical or different and are selected independently from among hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C1-C20-alkyl containing one or more Si, N, P, O or S atoms, C6-C30-aryl, preferably C6-C14-aryl, C4-C14-heteroaryl, —N(C6-C14-aryl)2, and Y1, where Y1 may be identical or different and are selected from among —CH?CH2, trans- or cis-CH?CH—C6H5, acryloyl, methacryloyl, methylstyryl, O—CH?CH2 and glycidyl, where Y2 is selected from among —CH?CH2, trans- or cis- CH?CH—C6H5, acryloyl, methacryloyl, methylstyryl, —O—CH?CH2 and glycidyl, and one or more groups Y1 or Y2 may be crosslinked to one another.

Abstract: Disclosed are 3-heterocyclyl substituted benzoic acid derivatives of general formula (I), in which the variables R1 to R8 and X have the meanings indicated in claim 1, and the use thereof as herbicides or for desiccating/defoliating plants.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining subjective and objective inputs from an individual in need of a custom prepared composition for changing or improving one or more of the individual's conditions. Objective data may be collected by analyzing one or more samples taken from the individual. Subjective data may include data provided in response to a questionnaire by the individual. The objective and subjective inputs are compared against an empirically derived database which links certain affects to variables associated with the subjective and objective inputs.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam beads of propylene polymers which comprise more than 40% of open cells. They are produced by impregnating propylene polymer minigranules which comprise from 1 to 40% by weight of a cell opener with a volatile blowing agent in aqueous suspension and subsequently decompressing the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating an olefin from a gas stream, said gas stream comprising the olefin and at least one other component, said method comprising (i) compressing and cooling the gas stream; (ii) separating the olefin from the gas stream by absorbing the olefin in an absorbent; (iii) separating the olefin from the absorbent by desorption; wherein compressing or cooling or compressing and cooling in (i) is carried out at least twice.

Abstract: Process for removal of the esterification catalyst by separation from a crude plasticizer ester obtained by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with C8-C13 alcohols, by treating the crude ester with an aqueous alkali solution in the range from 10 to 100° C. and then separating the aqueous alkaline phase comprising the hydrolyzed esterification catalyst by gravitational phase separation, by treating the crude ester, prior to or during the phase separation, with a salt of a di- or polyvalent metal, or with a mixture of these salts.

Abstract: Solid pigment preparations comprising as essential constituents (A) from 60% to <90% by weight of at least one pigment, (B) >10% to 40% by weight of at least one anionic surface-active additive based on acid phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfuric and/or sulfonic esters of polyalkylene oxides or of reaction products of alkylene oxides with aliphatic alcohols, with phenol or naphthol, which may each be alkyl substituted if desired, with aliphatic or aromatic amines or with aliphatic carboxylic acids or carboxamides or on salts thereof, the fraction of the phosphorus-containing additive in a mixture of phosphorus- and sulfur-containing additives being not less than 50% by weight, and (C) from 0% to <30% by weight of at least one nonionic surface-active additive based on polyethers, with the proviso that component (B) is a phosphoric and/or phosphonic ester when the fraction of component (C) is 0% by weight, are made and used for pigmenting macromolecular organic and inorganic materials.

Abstract: A method for determining if a proposed color solution, such as paint, pigments, or dye formulations, is acceptable, is provided. The inputs to the system are the actual color values of an item, differential color values, a proposed color solution, and second color values associated with the proposed color solution. The system includes an artificial intelligence model to analyze the inputs and produce an output for communicating whether the proposed color solution is acceptable. The artificial intelligence model may be embodied in a neural network.

Abstract: Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) particels containing a clay are disclosed. The clay is added to an SAP hydrogel prior to SAP neutralization to provide particles having improved fluid acquisition rates and an improved permeability of a fluid through the swollen SAP-clay particles. Diaper cores and absorbent articles containing the SAP-clay particles also are disclosed.

Abstract: The rod-shaped apatite crystals of the formula Ca5(PO4)3(OH)xFy have the following features a) the length-to-breadth ratio of the crystals is at least ?5 and b) x+y=1, where if x or y?0 the total amount of the crystals is present as a mixture of individual hydroxyapatite crystals and fluoroapatite crystals and/or as mixed crystals, such that, based on the total amount of the crystals, (1?x)·100% of the hydroxide ions present if y=0 are replaced by fluoride ions. The invention furthermore describes dispersions which contain such rod-shaped apatite crystals, and a process for the preparation of the dispersions or of the apatite crystals.