Abstract: Hydroformylation of alkenes to aldehydes in the presence of a rhodium complex catalyst is improved by the addition of a novel bidentate ligand of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.1 ' and R.sub.2 ' are organic radicals selected from alicyclic, aliphatic and aromatic groups of which at least one is preferably substituted with at least one electronegative moiety and the methylene groups are present at the trans-2,3 positions on the norbomane moiety. The invention also provides a novel method for producing the bidentate ligand and novel intermediate phosphine oxide and phosphinous acid compounds.

Abstract: A process for producing LCP films that have improved tear resistance, improved balance of physical properties, and relatively wrinkle-free surfaces. An annular co-extrusion die is used to line the LCP with one or more surface layers of a nonadherent polymer before the LCP becomes shear oriented. The multi-layer tube formed by the co-extrusion is sealed, stretched and cooled by passing it over a sizing mandrel. The tube is slit open into a flat configuration.

Abstract: A process to reduce carbonyl impurities in a carbonylation reaction for the production of acetic acid is described. The methyl iodide recycle stream which is directed to a carbonylation reactor for carbonylating methanol or methyl acetate to acetic acid, is treated to remove carbonyl impurities by reacting the methyl iodide stream formed in the reaction with an aqueous amino compound which reacts with the carbonyls to form water soluble nitrogenous derivatives, separating an organic methyl iodide phase from an aqueous derivative phase and distilling the methyl iodide phase to remove heavier impurities. The treatment of the methyl iodide recycle stream to the carbonylation reactor has been found to greatly reduce the carbonyls present in the acetic acid product. The formation of nitrile from the nitrogenous derivative during distillation may be minimized by adding water to the system.

Abstract: Polymeric compositions having a high transparency, low thermal expansion coefficient and low coefficient of refractive index change with temperature are made from a suitable thermoplastic polymer and index-matched glass or ceramic. Such compositions have utility in optical applications.

Abstract: A novel, high performance yet permeable, tough, fibrous structure, and a process for making the structure are disclosed. The fibrous structure includes a stabilized microstructure of improved uniformity of fiber and particulate distribution. Beneficially, the fibrous structure is of improved structural integrity and stiffness, as a result of being reduced in thickness.The process includes the steps of dry forming a fibrous web including crimped staple composite fibers, thereafter distributing and entrapping the functional particles in the web, and thereafter heating the fibrous web to form a microstructure-stabilized fibrous web. According to the process, the microstructure-stabilized fibrous web is thereafter by an additional heat treating step carried out without application of pressure to the web, heated to a thermoforming temperature, and thereafter the heated web is reduced in thickness and yet microstructural relative geometry is maintained. IR heat may be used.

Abstract: In a ballistic fabric, the use of plurality of bicomponent fibers; the ballistic fabric is made from a plurality of bicomponent fibers and a plurality of high strength fibers. The bicomponent fibers have a sheath and a core, the sheath being made of a polymer having a melting point and the core being made of a polymer having a melting point. The sheath's melting point is less than the core's melting point. The fabric is bonded together using the sheath polymer of the bicomponent to the fibers of the fabric.

Abstract: A process for the trimerization of aqueous formaldehyde solution to produce trioxane in a multistage in situ catalyst reactor-extractor column containing a cationic exchange resin. The process entails countercurrent flow of formaldehyde solution and solvent across reactor and extractor stages wherein trioxane, produced from formaldehyde at the reactor stages, is subsequently separated at the extractor stages utilizing a suitable solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a 5,6-dihydro-3H-pyrimidin-4-one derivatives which comprises the steps of (a) dehydrating a N-acyl beta amino acid in the presence of a dehydration agent and an organic solvent for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form an oxazone (b) adding a carboxylic acid and a primary amine salt of a carboxylic acid to said oxazone to form a mixture, (c) distilling azeotropically said mixture for a suitable period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to substantially remove said dehydration agent and said organic solvent, and (d) heating the product of step (c) for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form said pyrimidin derivatives.

Abstract: This invention discloses a thermally expandable composition for use in actuators. The composition contains about 10-50 volume percent hollow glass spheres in a wax or a polymer. The spheres contain a conducting coating affixed thereon. During use in an actuator, the composition is heated to melt the wax or polymer, when the density of the spheres substantially match the density of the melt, thereby substantially eliminating phase separation. The high thermal conductivity of the composition increases the speed of heat transfer out of the composition during the cooling cycles.

Abstract: A process for reducing black specks in anisotropic melt-phase forming liquid crystal polymer which comprises the steps of subjecting a reactor in which an anisotropic melt-forming polymer was formed to successive washes of triethylene glycol, ethylene glycol and at least one water wash, draining the reactor between washes, and drying the reactor after the water wash.

Abstract: A process for dye removal from effluent is disclosed which includes treating the effluent with a reducing agent, adjusting the pH to a selected value in the range of 2-7, treating the effluent with a particular charge neutralization mixture, adjusting the pH a second time and subjecting the mixture to a flocculating process with selected chemicals.

Abstract: A process for recovering glycols produced during recycling of polyester comprising the step of extracting aromatic contaminants from the glycols. Extracting the aromatic contaminants is accomplished by: providing a glycol rich stream from a process to recycle polyester. The glycol rich stream comprised glycols, water, and aromatic contaminants. A solvent is added to the glycol rich stream to form a mixture. The mixture is resolved to form a glycol rich component and an aromatic contaminant rich component. The glycols are recovered from the glycol rich component.

Abstract: A new process for the manufacture of 1,3-cyclohexanedione is disclosed wherein a selected resorcinol is reduced with a hydrogen donor in the presence of a metal catalyst to produce a product which is then neutralized with an acid.

Abstract: In an improved power transmission belt, the circumferentially disposed reinforcing cords are made from multi-filament yarns of heterofilaments. These cords, when fused, have good inter-filament bonding without the solvent of the solvent/adhesive systems.

Abstract: A new class of 3-diazo-3,4-dihydrocoumarin compounds which are useful as photoactive compounds in a wide variety of applications including photoresists and other opto-electronic applications are disclosed and claimed. Preferred embodiments include 6-sulfonyl-3-diazo-4-oxo-3,4-dihydrocoumarin esters. These compounds exhibit very high photosensitivity in the deep ultraviolet (DUV) region (ca. 250 nm), and therefore, are useful as photoactive compounds in DUV photoresist formulations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a quinazolone which comprises the steps of (a) dehydrating a N-acyl beta amino acid in the presence of a dehydration agent and an organic solvent for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form an oxazone (b) adding a carboxylic acid and a primary amine salt of a carboxylic acid to said oxazone to form a mixture, (c) distilling azeotropically said mixture for a suitable period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to substantially remove said dehydration agent and said organic solvent, and (d) heating the product of step (c) for a sufficient period of time and under suitable temperature and pressure conditions to form said quinazolone.

Abstract: A method for wrapping a bale of compressed, resilient fibers comprises the steps of: providing a reusable bale wrap kit. The kit includes at least two pieces. Each piece, when joined with the other piece, is adapted for substantially enclosing and containing the bale of compressed, resilient fibers. Mushroom and loop fasteners are located along an edge portion of each piece and are adapted for joining the pieces to one another. Uncompressed, resilient fibers are provided. A portion of the uncompressed, resilient fibers are surrounded with the kit. Those fibers are compressed, and the mushroom and loop fasteners are engaged.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition comprising:(A) a polyester elastomer;(B) a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer; and(C) a multiphase composite interpolymer comprising an elastomeric first phase, a final rigid thermoplastic phase and, optionally, one or more intermediate phases,wherein components (A) and (B) combined are present in the composition in an amount of from about 55 to about 90 percent by weight, based on the total weight of components (A), (B) and (C); and wherein the ratio by weight of component (A) to component (B) is from about 1:5 to about 8:1.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of vinyl acetate by reaction of ethylene, oxygen and acetic acid as reactants comprising contacting said reactants and a non-halogen containing copper compound with a catalyst comprising a porous support on the porous surfaces of which is deposited catalytically effective amounts of metallic palladium, gold and copper. During the process to prepare vinyl acetate, a stream of alkali metal acetate is preferably passed over the catalyst. The process results in higher vinyl acetate selectivity and productivity due to lower CO.sub.2 selectivity during the life of the catalyst, and/or longer catalyst life.

Abstract: A process for treating low water content carbonylation catalyst solutions which contain a rhodium component and an alkali metal component to remove metallic corrosion products is disclosed. The process comprises contacting the catalyst solution with an ion exchange resin, preferably in the lithium form, and a sufficient amount of water to decrease the concentration of alkali metal ions to optimize removal of corrosion metal products.