Abstract: A transition metal compound containing at least one .eta..sup.6 -arene is contacted with a compound of the formula MX.sub.n Y.sub.2-n mL; or Z.sub.3 Al[MgZ.sub.2 ].sub.y AlZ.sub.3 where L, M, X, Y, Z, m, n, and y are defined. The transition metal compound can be a compound such as TiCl.sub.2.2AlCl.sub.3 -arene. The compound of the defined formula may be a solid compound which may be insoluble in hydrocarbon liquids when it may be of high surface area which may be inherent in the solid or can be achieved by a grinding procedure. The compound of the defined formula may be Mg(OC.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 ; Mg(CH.sub.3).sub.2 ; Mg(CH.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.2 ; (C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.3 Al[Mg(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.2 ]-Al(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.3 or (iC.sub.3 H.sub.7 O).sub.3 Al(Mg(OiC.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.2 ]Al(OiC.sub.3 H.sub.7).sub.3. During or after the contacting with the transition metal compound, treatment with a halogen-containing compound may be effected.

Abstract: Herbicidal compounds of formula: ##STR1## and their salts, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are specified alkyl groups, potentially useful as selective herbicides for cereals.

Abstract: A liner constructed of pliable material and which is suitable for use with a container of the type which may be tipped in order to discharge a load of particulate material, the liner comprising at least one aperture through which it may be loaded with particulate material, at least in the region of the base of the liner an inner skin and an outer skin the inner skin being perforated to allow passage of gas, and at least one entry port through which gas may be introduced into the space between the inner and outer skins, in use gas introduced into the space between the inner and outer skins escaping through the perforations and causing fluidization of the particulate material thereby assisting discharge of the material from the liner.

Abstract: A heat treatment plant comprising an assembly of refractory material adapted to receive a bath and containing a channel for a burner and optionally a channel for a flue, a framework adjacent to the refractory material, and at least one sub-frame mounted on the framework and adapted to receive a burner and flue. The burner and flue being capable of traversing the sub-frame in a direction transverse to that in which the sub-frame may traverse the framework.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of a mixture comprising one or more sugars and oxyanions to separate a sugar or a sugar mixture therefrom wherein the ion-containing mixture is treated with an ion-exchange resin. The process may comprise treatment of the ion-containing mixture with a cationic exchange resin having thereon monovalent counterions or a mixture of divalent counterions and hydrogen ions or with first a cationic exchange resin having thereon hydrogen ions and then second with an anionic exchange resin having thereon monovalent or divalent counterions. The process is very useful in the production of fructose-containing syrups.

Abstract: A process for treating single cell protein particularly of bacterial origin in order to reduce the nucleic acid content thereof and thereby render it more suitable for human consumption. The process involves subjecting a culture containing microorganism cells to three main steps namely, (A) treatment with acid to lower pH, (B) heating and (C) treatment with alkali to raise pH. The microorganism cells are thereafter removed from the culture medium.

Abstract: Ethylene is polymerised or copolymerised using a transition metal catalyst at a pressure in the range 300-1000 atmospheres and a temperature of at least 100.degree. C in the presence of a volatile inert diluent such as pentane, or at least one 1-olefine comonomer such as buten-1, or both. The catalyst can be a Ziegler type catalyst, an organo-compound of a transition metal such as a substituted silylmethyl, cyclopentadienyl, arene, norbornyl, .pi.-allyl or benzyl compound and may be supported on a suitable support such as silica, alumina, or magnesia. Other catalysts which may be used are supported chromium or molybdenum oxides. If a solid catalyst is used it is preferred to use a material which has been finely dispersed.

Abstract: Polyesters, e.g. polyethylene terephthalate, are produced by a direct esterification process. The esterification is performed in the presence of a germanium dioxide polycondensation catalyst dissolved in an alkaline ethylene glycol solution. The alkali in the catalyst solution acts as the softening point stabilizer. An antimony polycondensation catalyst is also employed.

Abstract: Heat sealable films exhibiting improved adhesion between a heat sealable layer and a film substrate wherein the substrate is formed from a blend of 87.5 to 60 parts of polypropylene and 12.5 to 40 parts of an ethylene-propylene block copolymer containing 0.5 to 40% by weight of ethylene, the blend containing from 0.2 to 5% by weight of ethylene.

Abstract: Modifying the surface of a diazotype material by incorporating an acrylic or methacrylic polymer into the diazotype sensitizing coating composition or coating the assembly with it so as to roughen the surface of the material thereby enabling nitrogen, which is liberated when the material is exposed to light, to escape from between the master and the diazotype material to prevent nitrogen accumulating between the two and hence avoiding slippage of one relative to the other.

Abstract: Substrates are coated with a composition comprising a low molecular weight polyethersulphone containing hydroxyl and groups and having a reduced viscosity of less than 0.25 (as measured at 25.degree. C on a solution of the polymer in dimethyl formamide containing 1 g of polymer in 100 cm.sup.3 of solution) and a fluorocarbon polymer dispersed in an aqueous medium, drying the coating and thereafter baking it in air at 420 to 450.degree. C.

Abstract: 1-Aryloxy-3-amidoalkylamino-2-propanol derivatives, processes for their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of using them in the treatment of heart diseases. The compounds possess .beta.-adrenergic blocking activity and some of them additionally possess cardiac stimulant activity. Representative of the compounds disclosed is 1-phenoxy-3-.beta.-isobutyramidoethylamino-2-propanol.

Abstract: Process for the production of 2,5-dimethyl-1,5-hexadiene by heating isobutene with a 1,1,2-trihalo ethylene in the vapor phase in the presence of a free-radical generator. The free-radical generator is preferably a peroxide and the reaction temperature in the range 200.degree.-600.degree. C. The product may be readily isomerized to 2,5-dimethyl-2,4-hexadiene, which is useful as an insecticide intermediate.

Abstract: Compounds of formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl and Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are carbonyl or a derivative thereof, or salts or metal complexes thereof. They have fungicidal and plant growth regulating activity.

Abstract: A rigid cellular foam of Vermiculite lamellae made by drying the frothy mass formed when an aqueous suspension is gasified.

Abstract: A mold-release agent is provided which consists essentially of 99.9% to 80% by weight of an aromatic polyisocyanate containing at least two isocyanate groups and 0.1% to 20% by weight of a fatty acid ester, e.g., glycerol trioleate, olive oil, peanut oil, etc. A process of using the material by incorporating it in polyurethane foams is disclosed.

Abstract: Cooling a tubular extrudate for conversion to tubular film by passing the extrudate through a bath of cooling liquid so that the external surface of the extrudate contacts in sequence countercurrent streams of cooling liquid in a quiescent zone, a restricted throttle zone and a spiral flow zone.

Abstract: Manufacture of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluorethane by reacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2-chloroethane with hydrogen fluoride in the presence of a chromium oxide catalyst and reducing the 1,1-difluoro-2-chloroethylene content of the impure 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane product by intimately contacting the impure product with an aqueous solution of a metal permanganate.

Abstract: A catalyst containing metallic copper, especially a low temperature shift catalyst containing also zinc oxide, is made from a corresponding catalyst precursor by reduction in two stages. In the first stage a steam and/or CO.sub.2 -diluted reducing gas is used and in the second a more strongly reducing gas mixture such as ammonia synthesis gas or even 100% hydrogen. The resulting catalyst is substantially more active than one reduced according to previous one-stage steam-reduction practice and similar to catalyst made by the less convenient dry-reduction using nitrogen or natural gas as diluent.

Abstract: Process for the dimerisation of acrylonitrile (ACN) to predominantly linear C.sub.6 dimers using organic phosphinites or phosphonites as catalyst in the presence of a proton-donating solvent and, optionally, a hydrocarbon co-solvent, the ACN and solvent(s) being substantially dry, and a small amount of a compound of a metal of Group IVA to VIIA, VIII or IB to VB being added to the reaction mixture to reduce the amount of polymeric by-product.