Abstract: Process for the preparation of cumene by the alkylation of benzene with propylene, catalyzed by zeolite Beta into which certain quantities of suitable alkaline, alkaline-earth or metallic cations have been introduced by ion exchange.

Abstract: Methane is converted into higher hydrocarbon products by oxidative coupling, by bringing a gaseous mixture containing methane and oxygen into contact with a solid catalyst formed from calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, a lanthanide oxide plus possibly lithium oxide, wherein:the lithium content is between 0 and 0.20 wt %,the calcium/magnesium atomic ratio is between 0.08 and 0.7, andthe (calcium+magnesium)/lanthanide atomic ratio is between 0.8/1 and 8/1, and preferably between 2/1 and 4/1.

Abstract: Process for the inertization of liquid waste, mud and solid waste, containing sulphates and heavy metals, which comprises a neutralization step of the compounds to be treated and an anaerobic reduction step of the sulphate ion to allow the formation of sulphide ions necessary for the process. A consortium of sulphate-reducing bacteria and lactobacilli is used, with whey as a carbon and nitrogen source.

Abstract: A catalytic system to polymerize diolefinic monomers consists of a lanthanide salt, an organometallic compound of a metal belonging to groups I, II and III of the periodic table of elements and an organometallic compound of boron. The polymers obtained are characterized in that they have a high degree of 1,4 chain units and ratio between 1.4-cis/1,4-trans units which can vary as desired, and also a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A process for the alkylation of aliphatic hydrocarbons with olefins catalyzed by a silica-based material, characterised in that the surface Si--OH groups of said silica are esterified with a fluoroalkylsulphonic acid of formula CF.sub.3 (CF.sub.2).sub.n SO.sub.3 H, where n is a whole number between 0 and 11, said material having a Hammett acidity Ho.ltoreq.-11.4.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel method for the in vivo and in vitro synthesis of modified peptides, using either engineered microorganisms capable of expressing peptide synthetases with modified substrate specificity, or peptide synthetases extracted from said microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing aqueous, clay-based muds, not aggressive to layer clays, which process comprises a first step in which clay is treated with an aqueous solution containing the necessary amount of dispersant to fluidify the mud; a second step, of separation of so treated clay from the aqueous solution containing any not adsorbed dispersant, and finally, a step of re-dispersion of so treated clay in water, in order to formulate the mud.

Abstract: A process for dehydrogenating light paraffins, in particular C.sub.2 -C.sub.5, to obtain the corresponding light olefins, comprising reacting said paraffins with a catalytic system containing platinum, tin and an alumina support and possibly an element of the lanthanide group in a fluidized bed reactor, where the heat required for the reaction is provided by said catalytic system as sensible heat, operating at a temperature of between 500.degree. and 700.degree. C. and at a pressure of between 1 and 2 kg/cm.sup.2, and regenerating said catalytic system by burning the coke which has deposited on the surface of the catalytic system, said regeneration being conducted in air and/or oxygen, if necessary by increasing the temperature of the catalytic system to a suitable level, followed by reduction of said catalytic system with a reducing agent.

Abstract: A catalytic system to polymerize diolefinic monomers consists of a lanthanide salt, an organometallic compound of a metal belonging to groups I, II and III of the periodic table of elements and an organometallic compound of boron. The polymers obtained are characterized in that they have a high degree of 1,4 chain units and ratio between 1.4-cis/1,4-trans units which can vary as desired, and also a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: An amorphous, micro/mesoporous silica-alumina gel with controlled pore size, having a surface area of at least 500 m.sup.2 /g and with a molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 :Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 of at least 30:1, is prepared by hydrolysing and causing a tetra-alkyl ammonium hydroxide, an aluminum trialkoxide, and a tetra-alkyl orthosilicate to gelate, by operating at a temperature equal to, or higher than, the boiling temperature, under atmospheric pressure, of any alcohols which are developed as a by-product from said hydrolysis reaction, without said alcohols being removed, or being substantially removed, from the reaction media; and the so produced gel being dried and fired. So obtained gel is an active catalyst in hydrocarbon conversion reactions, in particular in light olefin isomerization and oligomerization processes, e.g., in propylene oligomerization processes to yield useful liquid hydrocarbons for gasoline and jet fuel formulation.

Abstract: A difunctional catalyst is disclosed which is constituted by:(a) silica particles partially coated with zirconia, acidified by means of the introduction of sulfate moieties,(b) one or more metal(s) from Group VIIIA.The preparation of said catalyst and its use in wax hydroisomerization are disclosed as well.

Abstract: The cloning and sequencing of the gene which codes for a new pilinic subunit of Bordetella pertussis are described. The aminoacid sequence of the mature subunit, deduced from its necleotide sequence, is similar but not identical to that of the known pilins 2, 3 and 6. Polypeptides having the aminoacid sequence of the mature pilinic subunit or of regions thereof are particularly useful for the development of synthetic acellular vaccines against pertussis.

Abstract: A process for preparing a composite, continuous-fiber-containing filament which entails:a) unwinding a continuous fiber bundle from a bobbin,b) loosening the fiber bundle, in order to separate the bundle substantially into individual fibers,c) impregnating the individual fibers with a thermoplastic polymer powder, andd) recompacting the fiber bundle and providing a flexible sheltering sheath around the bundle, whereby the fiber bundle is caused to have a substantially elliptical cross-section.

Abstract: A catalyst system for the liquid-phase production of methanol from synthesis gas is described, consisting of:one or more copper compounds;one or more alkoxides of the lanthanum group of formula (R.sub.1 O).sub.x Ln and/or one or more inorganic oxides of the lanthanum and/or aluminium group;one or more alkaline and/or alkaline-earth alkoxides of formula (R.sub.a O).sub.x M,if at least one alkoxide of the lanthanum group is present, then one or more alkoxides of the titanium group of formula (R.sub.t O).sub.x T is present,where R.sub.1, R.sub.a and R.sub.t, which can be the same or different, are C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl groups,M is the alkaline or alkaline-earth metal,Ln is an element or the lanthanum group,T is an element of the titanium group,x is equal to the valency of the metal or element.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing a difunctional catalyst active in the hydroisomerization of long-chain normal paraffins is disclosed, which is constituted by an amorphous silica-alumina gel and one or more metals belonging to Group VIIIA,

Abstract: Disclosed is an active catalyst in the hydroisomerization of waxes (paraffins), which catalyst is constituted by a carrier of acidic nature, of silica-alumina gel, and one or more metals belonging to Group VIIIA.Also a process for preparing said catalyst is disclosed.

Abstract: Poly(Pentaerythrityl diphosphonate) of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein n is an integer having a value comprised within the range of from 3 to 100.The poly(pentaerythrityl diphosphonate) of formula (I) is useful as a flame retardant additive for thermoplastic polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cement composition containing water, hydraulic cement, inert products and a foaming agent obtained by reacting ethylene oxide with a substrate deriving from the production of synthetic alcohols by the oxosynthesis of normal-olefins, sulfating the ethoxylate compound thus obtained with sulfuric anhydride and neutralizing the sulfated acid product with a base of an alkaline, earth-alkaline metal or ammonia.The cement composition can optionally contain conventional additives such as stabilizers, set retarders or accelerators and disperding agents suitable for lowering the viscosity of the composition.This cement composition has improved processability characteristics and enables the production of lightweight concretes having greater mechanical resistance and durability and lower thermal conductivity particularly appropriate for the building industry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for treatment of soils polluted by high-boiling organic substances, such as petroleum, polynuclear aromatics and chloro-organic substances, which process uses an extractant with high dissolving power for the pollutant, and which improves the soil-extractant contact thanks to the addition of a minimal amount of a hydrophilic co-solvent.

Abstract: A catalytically active gel is described consisting of a silica matrix with uniform porosity, monomodal pore distribution and high surface area, within which one or metal oxides possessing catalytic activity are dispersed. A process for preparing this catalytic gel is also described.