Abstract: The invention includes methods for preparing halohydrins and epoxides. A method of preparing halohydrins can include exposing (R1CHXCH2O—)2SO2 to R2COOH to produce R1CHXCH2COOR2 and hydrolyzing the R1CHXCH2COOR2 to produce the halohydrin R1CHXCH2OH. R1 and R2 can be the same or different single elements and/or organic groups and X can be a halogen. A method of preparing an epoxide can include combining a sulfuric acid containing solution with a halogen to produce a first mixture and exposing the first mixture to trifluoropropene to produce a second mixture. The second mixture can be combined with acetic acid to produce an acetyl halohydrin of trifluoropropene and the acetyl halohydrin can be hydrolyzed to form a halohydrin of trifluoropropene. The halohydrin can be converted to a trifluoropropyl epoxide.

Abstract: Methods and materials are disclosed for the recovery of valuable hydrofluorocarbons and subsequent conversion to environmentally inert compounds. More specifically methods and materials are provided for recovering hydrofluorocarbons such as HFC-227, HFC-236, HFC-245, HFC-125, HFC-134, HFC-143, HFC-152, HFC-32, HFC-23 and their respective isomers. Processes are provided for converting hydrofluorocarbons such as these to fluoromonomer precursors such as CFC-217, CFC-216, CFC-215, CFC-115, CFC-114, CFC-113, CFC-112, HCFC-22, CFC-12, CFC-13 and their respective isomers. Materials, methods and schemes are provided for the conversion of these fluoromonomer precursors to fluoromonomers such as HFP, PFP, TFP, TFE, and VDF.

Abstract: A biocatalytic process to produce optically active phenylalanine analogs from arylacrylic acids is disclosed in which Rhodotorula graminis yeast containing phenylalanine ammonia-lyase introduces a molecule of ammonia stereoselectively onto the double bond of a 3-substituted acrylic acid. The substituent at the 3-position of the 3-substituted acrylic acid includes, for example, aromatic rings such as substituted phenyl groups, five member aromatic heterocyclics, and six member aromatic heterocyclics.

Abstract: Flame retardant latex compositions are disclosed which include natural or synthetic latex grafted with ring-halogenated, ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers. The graft latex is used alone or in combination with non-grafted natural or synthetic latex. The compositions are useful as coatings for a wide variety of applications, including fabric backcoatings, carpetings, paints, adhesives, sealants, caulks, non-woven binders and so on.

Abstract: Described are preferred processes which produce methyl mercaptan from methyl bromide and aqueous mediums of metal hydrosulfide. The processes can be used to simultaneously consume methyl bromide byproduct and aqueous NaSH byproduct while producing methyl mercaptan.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of 4,4'-isopropylidene bis(2,6-dibromophenol), also known as tetrabrombisphenol A, that dramatically reduces the formation of alkyl bromide by-products. Bisphenol A is brominated with a C.sub.3 to C.sub.5 n-alcohol in a water mixture to suppress the formation of alkyl bromides. The bisphenol A is brominated between 15.degree. C. and 25.degree. C. and then heated at a 55.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. to insure bromination is complete. The tetrabrombisphenol A is then filtered from the reaction mixture and dried. Tetrabromobisphenol A produced from this process typically has a melting point of 180.degree. C. or higher, and is typically greater than 98% pure. Hydrogen peroxide is optionally combined with the reactants to reduce the amount of added bromine necessary for the bromination of the tetrabromobisphenol A.

Abstract: A method for controlling diseases in plants, comprising applying to the roots or leaves of the plant a water-soluble, mono- or di-substituted ammonium perhalide of the formula: ##STR1## where R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen, hydroxyethyl, alkyl, cyclic alkyl, (alpha, omega)-alkyl, alkyl ether, polyether, heterocyclic ring-substituted alkyl, and halogenated alkyl; X is chlorine, bromine or iodine; n is 2 to 6; and only one of R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 is hydrogen.In another aspect of the invention, plant seeds are disinfected by applying the water-soluble, mono- or di-substituted ammonium perhalide to the seeds.

Abstract: Described are processes for preparing brominated diphenylalkane products which are far whiter than prior known brominated diphenylalkane products. The resultant white brominated diphenylalkane products also form a part of the present invention, as do formulations incorporating the white brominated diphenylalkane products, and articles prepared therefrom.

Abstract: A reduced methyl bromide process for making tetrabromobisphenol A in methanol, including: dissolving bisphenol-A in a methanol solvent to form a bisphenol-A methanol solution, adding bromine to the bisphenol-A methanol solution to brominate bisphenol-A and form tetrabromobisphenol A and hydrogen bromide, exposing the bisphenol-A methanol solution to an amount of a hydrogen peroxide agent to reduce the amount of methyl bromide co-product resulting from the bromination of bisphenol-A in methanol by reducing the amount of hydrogen bromide co-product available to react with the methanol, and collecting the resulting tetrabromobisphenol A product thus formed after the bromination is substantially complete.

Abstract: Smoke suppressed flame retardant thermoset resin compositions comprise smoke suppressant bicyclic phosphate compound(s), flame retardant(s) and unsaturated polyester or other thermoset materials. These compositions exhibit a reduced tendency to smoke under conditions of burning.

Abstract: Non-ozone depleting sterilant compositions made of ethylene oxide and 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane. These compositions provide good sterilization characteristics, and are compatible with contemporary environmental concerns.One preferred aspect of the invention is a sterilant mixture comprising from about 20 mole percent to about 35 mole percent ethylene oxide and from about 65 mole percent to about 80 mole percent HFC-227ea. Compositions comprising from about 25 mole percent to about 30 mole percent ethylene oxide and from about 70 mole percent to about 75 mole percent HFC-227ea are preferred, with a composition comprising about 27 mole percent ethylene oxide and about 73 mole percent HFC-227ea being most preferred.

Abstract: Flame retardant latex coatings are disclosed which include natural or synthetic latex grafted with ring-halogenated, ethylenically unsaturated aromatic monomers. The grafted latex is used alone or in combination with non-grafted natural or synthetic latex. The coatings are useful for a wide variety of applications, including fabric backcoatings, carpetings, paints, adhesives, sealants, caulks, non-woven binders and so on.

Abstract: Improved flame retardant latex coatings are disclosed which comprise copolymers of ring-halogenated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, and which may additionally include at least one other monomer. In a first embodiment, the coatings include ring-brominated aromatic monomer units and alkyl acrylate and/or alkyl methacrylate monomer units. In a second embodiment, the coatings include these first two types of monomer units and further include third monomer units from unsaturated esters of saturated carboxylic acids, halogen-free aromatic monomers or unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomers. In a third embodiment, the coatings include four monomer units, namely ring-brominated aromatic monomer units, alkyl acrylate/methacrylate monomer units, halogen-free aromatic monomer units and unsaturated carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid monomer units.

Abstract: Blowing agents for use in foamable plastics such as polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene and other non-polyisocyanate-based foams, comprising a mixture of 1,1,1,2,3,3,3-heptafluoropropane in combination with one or more hydrocarbons or partially halogenated alkanes. In one aspect of the invention the hydrocarbon adjuvant is selected from the group consisting of propane, butane, isobutane, n-pentane, i-pentane, neopentane, n-hexane, 2-methylpentane, 3-methylpentane and 2,2-dimethylbutane.

Abstract: Aqueous plant cryoprotectant composition containing between about 0.005 and 25 wt. % tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine or mixtures thereof and method of increasing the resistance of plant tissue to damage caused by freezing conditions comprising applying to the plant tissue surfaces at ambient non-freezing temperatures an aqueous solution containing an effective amount of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Synergistic compositions for inhibiting microbial growth contain synergistic mixtures including 2-(2-bromo-2-nitroethenyl)furan ("BNEF") and a compound selected from the group consisting of beta-nitrostyrene ("NS"), beta-bromo-beta-nitrostyrene ("BNS"), methylchloro/isothiazolone ("IZN"), methylenebisthiocyanate ("MBT"), 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide ("DBNPA"), 2-bromo-2-bromomethyl-glutaronitrile ("BBMGN"), alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride ("ADBAC"), and beta-nitrovinyl furan ("NVF"). The synergistic compositions are effective against a wide spectrum of bacteria, algae and fungi. An antimicrobial composition comprising the synergistic mixture and a carrier is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for the protection of plant tissue from damage upon exposure to chilling temperatures, and to assist plant tissue in recovering from chilling injury, include the application of an effective amount of chilling-protectant compositions selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, tetrahydrofurfuryl amine and mixtures thereof. The compositions are applied as aqueous solutions containing between about 0.005 and about 25 wt % of the chilling-protectant compositions to plant tissue injured due to exposure to chilling temperature.

Abstract: A flame retarding additive composition, useful in thermoplastic polyolefins, is disclosed comprising a mixture of a halogenated bisphenol derivative and the copolymer of a halogenated vinyl aromatic grafted onto polyolefin. The preferred bisphenol derivative is tetrabromobisphenol A bis(dibromopropyl ether), and the preferred graft copolymer comprises bromostyrene grafted onto isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene. Also disclosed are the flame retarded, thermoplastic polyolefins prepared using the foregoing additive compositions.

Abstract: A process for preparing dibromonitro-alcohols, and mixtures thereof with bromonitro-alcohols, is disclosed in which dibromonitromethane, and optionally bromonitroethane, is reacted with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 aldehyde in aqueous solution at an acid pH, preferably between about 4.0 and about 7.0. An aqueous solution of the aldehyde is prepared and the pH adjusted to the desired acid range by addition of sodium bicarbonate, and the dibromonitromethane, which may include bromonitromethane, is added thereto. The dibromonitro-alcohol product is isolated as a separate phase from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Described are polypropylene molding compositions which have surprisingly good physical properties in combination with flame retardancy, which include copolymers represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein n is >1, P is isotactic or syndiotactic polypropylene, and S is a grafted side chain having brominated monomeric units of the formula: ##STR2## wherein x=1 to 4, R.sub.1 is H or CH.sub.3, and R.sub.2 is H or a C.sub.1-4 lower alkyl group. Polymer blends including such graft copolymers and methods for making such flame retardant polymer compositions are also described.