Abstract: The invention relates to a polyamide-imide containing recurring units according to the formula ##STR1## where Y is an arylene group, andR and R' are alkylene groups, in which at least 50 mole % of R and/or R' is a butylene group.The polyamide-imides are semi-crystalline.They are suitable for injection moulding applications, structural moulded parts, films, coatings and fibres. They can preferably be used in fields of application where temperatures above 200.degree. C. occur.

Abstract: Method for the preparation of an aldehyde in a process in which cobalt is being recycled by:(a) hydroformylating of an ethylenically unsaturated compound with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a pressure higher than 5 MPa and a temperature higher than 80.degree. C. in the presence of a cobalt carbonyl compound in an organic phase, following which(b) removing cobalt from the organic phase by contacting the organic phase with a polar mixture, which mixture is substantially immiscible with the organic phase, first the pressure being reduced to a pressure lower than 5 MPa and simultaneously or afterwards cooling being applied down to a temperature below 80.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a binder composition for powder coatings for use as a topcoat in the automotive industry. The invention also relates to top-coated automotive substrates. The binder composition includes a polyester containing hydroxyl groups and a polyacrylate containing hydroxyl groups and a blocked hexamethylenediisocyanate trimer. The polyester has a hydroxyl number of between 20 and 100 mg KOH/g resin and an acid number of less than 10 mg KOH/g resin and the polyacrylate has a hydroxyl number of between 40 and 150 mg KOH/g resin and an acid number of less than 20 mg KOH/g resin. The trimer is blocked with 1,2,4-triazole.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of an aminonitrile by partially hydrogenating a nitrile compound with two or more nitrile groups in the presence of a catalyst which contains a metal from group 8 of the periodic system of the elements, the hydrogenation being carried out under water-free reaction conditions and the catalyst having been treated with an alkanolate. Preferably, the catalyst is a Raney nickel or Raney cobalt catalyst which has been pretreated with an alkali metal alkanolate or an earth alkali metal alkanolate such as sodium or potassium methanolate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a lactam from an alicyclic ketoxime in the presence of a lactim-O-sulphonic acid and a solvent, the reaction being carried out in the presence of an acid cation exchanger. The invention relates in particular to a process in which the alicyclic ketoxime is represented by the following general formula: ##STR1## where R is a linear or branched alkylidene group containing from 3 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a non-woven layer that consists substantially of short polyolefin fibers the nonwoven layer being a felt with in the plane of the layer substantially randomly oriented fibers with a length of 40-100 mm, a tensile strength of at least 1.2 GPa and a modulus of at least 40 GPa. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of this felt and to layered structures in which the felt is used. Layered structures comprising a non-woven layer according to the invention have improved specific energy absorption on impact of ballistic projectiles.

Abstract: The present invention is for a method of preparing purified .epsilon.-caprolactam from carpet waste containing nylon-6. Contaminated .epsilon.-caprolactam is obtained by depolymerizing nylon-6 from carpet waste. A mixture of the contaminated .epsilon.-caprolactam and water is then hydrogenated in the presence of hydrogen and a hydrogenation catalyst in order to produce purified .epsilon.-caprolactam. The amount of contaminated .epsilon.-caprolactam in the mixture can be between 10 and 95% by weight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the dimerization of a conjugated diene using an iron triad metal nitrosyl halide, in combination with a reducing agent, as catalyst. The process is characterized in that the dimerization is carried out in the presence of nitrogen monoxide (NO). The invention is of interest in particular for the dimerization of butadiene to 4-vinyl cyclohexene.

Abstract: A process is described for the purification of .epsilon.-caprolactam which involves hydrogenation of a water-.epsilon.-caprolactam mixture in the presence of a heterogeneous hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the .epsilon.-caprolactam-water mixture is contacted with gaseous hydrogen, upon which hydrogen dissolves in the .epsilon.-caprolactam-water mixture, and subsequently, this hydrogen-containing mixture is contacted with the hydrogenation catalyst. About 90-100% of the hydrogen is dissolved in the water-.epsilon.-caprolactam mixture.

Abstract: 3-pentenoic acid or the R ester of pentenoic acid is produced by treating pentenoyl chloride in a reactive distillation zone with ROH where R is hydrogen or hydrocarbon of 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Butadiene may be reacted with HCl that is formed by the hydrolysis of pentenoyl chloride, and the butadiene converted to chlorobutene, and the chlorobutene reacted with carbon monoxide to form pentenoyl chloride.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a polymer from heterocyclic monomer units. The process according to the invention is characterized in that polymerization takes place in the presence of a sulphur-containing reagent.It has been found that the process according to the invention can be used to prepare polymers that can readily be processed, either in solution or in the melt. It has further been found that the reaction time of the reaction that takes place is short, while also the efficiency of the reaction is good. In the process according to the invention use can be made of monomer units that are thermostable. Such monomer units are easy to synthesize and easy to keep.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dendritic macromolecule comprising a core and branches emanating from the core wherein the branches are based on vinyl cyanide and/or fumaryl dinatrile units. The invention also relates to processes for preparing these dendritic macromolecules. The dendritic macromolecules according to the invention are not sensitive to degradation through hydrolysis reactions and are also very stable at a high temperature. The processes are very suitable for large scale production of the dendritic macromolecules without requiring purification of reaction intermediates.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a 5-formylvalerate ester by hydroformylating a mixture of pentenoate esters in the presence of a catalyst system which catalyst system comprises a metal from group 8-10 of the Periodic Table of Elements and a mono- or multidentate organic phosphorous ligand, wherein the mixture of pentenoate esters contains less than 500 ppm hydroperoxide compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel bis-iminoazacyclo pentane polyols according to the formula given below, whereinR.sup.1 =H, alkyl or R.sup.4, whereby R.sup.4 is OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl andR.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently of one another, OH, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyaryl or hydroxyaralkyl which are obtainable by reaction of succinonitrile with a hydroxyalkylamine, to polyols obtained on the basis of such compounds, in which a polyether, a polyester or a vinylpolymer or combinations thereof are also incorporated, and to polymers in which said polyols are incorporated. Polyurethane foam in which 1-(hydroxyethyl)-2,5-bis-(2-hydroxyethylimino)-azacyclopentane is incorporated shows a higher mechanical strength and reduced inflammability, whilst the formulation has an increased reactivity.

Abstract: Microporous film of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene with a high degree of moisture vapor transmission rate and a permeability to air that lies within a narrow range and a process for the production of a film with a high degree of moisture vapor transmission rate and a permeability to air that lies within a narrow range from a polyolefin by extruding a solution of the polyolefine in a first solvent, followed by cooling, the removal of the solvent and stretching of the film, in which the surface of one and only one side of the film is brought into close contact with a second solvent for the polyolefin before the film is contacted with the cooling agent.

Abstract: Microporous film of polyethylene with a high degree of moisture vapour transmission rate and permeability to air and a process for the production of such a film from a polyolefine by extruding a solution of the polyolefine in a first solvent, followed by cooling, the removal of the solvent and stretching of the film, in which both sides of the film are brought into close contact with a second solvent for the polyolefine before the film is contacted with the cooling agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of an electrically conducting article, in which process a polymer composition, comprising a carrier polymer, is stretched and, during stretching of the polymer composition, polymerisation of monomers takes place to form a conjugated polymer, characterised in that the polymer composition contains precursor monomers prior to stretching and the monomers are obtained by activating precursor monomers during the stretching step. It has been found that using the process according to the invention articles can be obtained which, in addition to good electrically conducting properties, also have good mechanical properties.

Abstract: A fluid mixture from which an unsaturated hydrocarbon has to be separated, is passed in the first stage at superatmospheric pressure to one side of a first semiselective gas separation membrane with a non-porous active layer, and a liquid complexing agent is passed along the other side of said first membrane, where said unsaturated hydrocarbon is bound through complexation in the interface of membrane and complexing agent. In the second stage said unsaturated hydrocarbon is dissociated from the complexing agent through temperature increase, the mixture of complexing agent and dissociated unsaturated preferably is passed at superatmospheric pressure to one side of a second semiselective membrane with a non-porous active layer and the unsaturated hydrocarbon migrates to the other side of the membrane and is discharged. Finally, the complexing agent is recycled.

Abstract: Compositions of an ethylene/carbon monoxide copolymer and a second component serving as swelling agent or gelling or non-gelling solvent, which are suited to be moulded below the melting point of the copolymer using the customary moulding techniques, and the second component of which is chosen from a group so far not known as possible components of compositions of ethylene/carbon monoxide copolymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing optically active methionine amide in high ee purities in which a mixture of D- and L-methionine amide or the Schiff bases thereof is at least partly converted, optionally in the presence of 0.5-4 equivalents of an aldehyde, relative to the amount of methionine amide, and water, in the presence of an organic solvent, using less than 1.2 equivalents of L- or D-mandelic acid, respectively, relative to the amount of D- or L-methionine amide, respectively, or the Schiff bases thereof, present in the mixture of D- and L-methionine amide or the Schiff bases thereof, into a salt of methionine amide and mandelic acid, a portion consisting substantially of one of the diastereoisomers of the salt is separated from the reaction mixture obtained, and the salt is converted into the optically active methionine. A high degree of optical purity is obtained.