Abstract: The present invention provides a surfactant blend that includes an extended chain surfactant and high HLB nonionic surfactant. The surfactant blend may be incorporated into household and industrial-institutional cleaning products to solubilize hard to remove oily stains and soil from a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: Provided herein are consumer products contained in conventional containers. A consumer product packaged according to the present invention is one which exhibits birefringence, and the packaging used according to the present invention is arranged so that the consumer product is caused to exist between two layers of polarizing film and is thus capable of exhibiting the phenomenon of birefringence to consumers under ambient lighting conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed are derivatives of isophorone diamine exhibiting a synergistic relationship with other commonly employed chain extenders offerings enhanced efficacy with regard to slowing of the polyurea elastomer cure profile, and processes employing their use. According to the invention, extensions of the gel-free and tack-free times are more readily achieved at lower loading levels for these chain extender blends than are afforded through the sole use of the individual molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed are derivatives of isophorone diamine exhibiting a synergistic relationship with other commonly employed chain extenders offering enhanced efficacy with regard to slowing of the polyurea elastomer cure profile, and processes employing their use. According to the invention, extensions of the gel-free and tack-free times are more readily achieved at lower loading levels for these chain extender blends than are afforded through the sole use of the individual molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the reductive alkylation of primary amines to form secondary amines, by high pressure reaction of the primary amine with an alkylating agent and hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst which comprises metallic palladium. A process of the present invention is characterized in having high conversion rates and high selectivities, both greater than 95% on a first pass through the reactor. According to a preferred embodiment, the secondary amine produced comprises at least one 2-alkyl group bonded to the nitrogen atom of the primary amine product.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a process for the co-production of bis(para-aminocyclohexyl) methane (PACM). Also disclosed are articles of manufacture made using PACM produced by methods of this invention. The methods of the present invention generally include a first mixture having methylene di-aniline (MDA) and a second aromatic amine. The first mixture has less than 15% polymeric MDA by weight and the second aromatic amine is present in an amount to render the first mixture a liquid. The first mixture is hydrogenated to produce a product mixture comprising PACM and at least one second non-aromatic amine.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions useful for introducing metal carboxylate salts as catalysts into systems useful for producing polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams. The methods permit the introduction of such catalysts in the absence of substantial amounts of water which otherwise cause inferior foams to be produced. A method for producing foam employing the catalysts are also described.

Abstract: A chemical softening composition includes a amide-substituted quaternary imidazolinium salt, a nonionic surfactant, and a polyhydroxy compound for use in treating cellulosic materials including papers, textiles and fabrics. The chemical softening composition can be applied to papermaking fibers during a papermaking process to provide a softened paper web and product possessed of sufficient tensile strength for its regular employment. A chemical softening composition according to the invention can also be applied to fabric to soften the fabric, provide easier handling of the fabric, and also reduce the tendency of the fabric to generate and store static electricity.

Abstract: Provided herein are catalyst combinations and processes useful for producing polyurethane foam products which have a greatly lessened tendency to emit vapors of residual amounts of catalysts, after prolonged storage of the foams even at elevated temperatures. According to one form of the invention, a reactive catalyst is used in combination with a polyol precursor wherein the polyol precursor has an unsaturation level that is below about 0.030 meq./g.

Abstract: Drilling fluid additives that act to control clay swelling in drilled formations without adversely effecting the properties of the drilling fluid. The drilling fluid additives preferably comprise a polyether amine, a polyether amine derivative, or mixtures thereof. Drilling fluids that comprise such drilling fluid additives and a method of reducing clay swelling in drilled formations are also disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical softening composition includes a amide-substituted quaternary imidazolinium salt, a nonionic surfactant, and a polyhydroxy compound for use in treating cellulosic materials including papers, textiles and fabrics. The chemical softening composition can be applied to papermaking fibers during a papermaking process to provide a softened paper web and product possessed of sufficient tensile strength for its regular employment. A chemical softening composition according to the invention can also be applied to fabric to soften the fabric, provide easier handling of the fabric, and also reduce the tendency of the fabric to generate and store static electricity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a fluorine-containing mordenite catalyst and use thereof in the manufacture of alkylbenzene (LAB) by alkylation of benzene with an olefin. The olefin may have from about 10 to 14 carbons. The fluorine-containing mordenite is prepared typically by treatment with an aqueous hydrogen fluoride solution. The benzene alkylation may be conducted using reactive distillation. This invention is also directed to a process for production of LAB having a high 2-phenyl isomer content by use of the fluorine-containing mordenite in conjunction with a conventional solid LAB alkylation catalyst. The two catalysts may be used in a mixed catalyst bed or may be packed in series, with the relative proportions being adjusted to provide a desired 2-phenyl isomer content of in the final product.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes for producing re-bonded polyurethane foam constructs that are useful in applications such as carpet underlayments. According to the invention, a tertiary amine is employed as a catalyst either alone, or preferably in combination with other catalysts in a binder which comprises an organic isocyanate and a polyol. Inclusion of a tertiary amine as a catalyst dramatically increases production throughput.

Abstract: This invention is directed to detergent compositions which employ sulfonated alkyltoluenes as surfactants, wherein the sulfonated alkyltoluenes have a higher content of the sulfonated 2-phenyl alkyltoluenes isomers than was previously available in sulfonated alkyltoluene surfactants of the prior art. Cleaning compositions according to the invention are more effective as cleaning agents over their counterparts of prior art which contain sulfonated alkyltoluenes having lower contents of the 2-phenyl alkyltoluene isomers, owing to an unexpected increase in tolerance of water hardness minerals normally associated with precipitation of the active detergent agent. Solid sulfonate salts of alkyltoluenes are also provided, including dry cleaning formulations containing same.

Abstract: Provided herein are polyamine precursors useful in the manufacture of epoxy resins. Use of a polyamine precursor according to the invention provides an epoxy resin formulation having an increased working time over prior art amines used for curing epoxies. Increased working times translate to the ability to manufacture composites which could not be made using conventional epoxy curing agents, such as composite blades for wind-driven turbines. Such polyamines are also useful in polyurea formulations for lengthening reaction time, thus allowing more flow of applied polyurea coatings prior to gellation.

Abstract: Provided herein are amine blends which may be used in place of N-aminoethyl piperazine as accelerator in the curing reaction of epoxy resins.

Abstract: Provided herein are amphoteric surfactants derived from ethyleneamines, and processes for using such surfactants in the treatment of paper, fibers, textiles, hair, and human skin, to impart softness-to-the-touch properties to these and other substrates.

Abstract: Surfactant adjuvants that improve the bioefficacy of herbicides by combining known surfactancy, or wetting characteristics, of sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate-based surfactants, with the proven bioefficiacy characteristics of alkoxylated amine-based surfactants. The surfactant adjuvants contain an amine-based surfactant, and a sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate-based surfactant. The surfactant adjuvants are combined with herbicidal active ingredients, and optionally, one or more formulation aids to form herbicide compositions that have a reduced tendency to cause eye and skin irritation and can be used to control unwanted weeds or vegetation.

Abstract: This invention is directed to detergent compositions which employ sulfonated linear alkylbenzenes as surfactants, wherein the sulfonated linear alkylbenzenes have a higher content of the sulfonated 2-phenyl alkylbenzene isomers than was previously available in sulfonated phenyl alkylbenzene surfactants of the prior art. Cleaning compositions according to the invention are more effective as cleaning agents over their counterparts of prior art which contain sulfonated linear alkylbenzenes having lower contents of the 2-phenyl alkylbenzene isomers, owing to an unexpected increase in tolerance of water hardness minerals normally associated with precipitation of the active detergent agent. Solid sulfonate salts of alkylbenzenes are also provided, including dry formulations containing same.

Abstract: Inclusion of a branched alcohol in the catalytic hydrogenation reaction involving an aliphatic nitro compound dramatically increases the efficiency of the conversion of nitro groups into amino groups. This discovery is of particular value in the production of polyalkyleneamines via nitration of a polyalkene, such as a polybutene, and its subsequent reduction. The polyalkyleneamines so produced are useful as dispersant additives for motor oils and fuels.