Abstract: A process for the production of epichlorhydrin, which comprises the steps of:(a) providing an organic solution comprising perpropionic acid and an organic solvent selected from the group consisting of chlorinated hydrocarbons and hydrocarbons;(b) reacting at least a portion of the perpropionic acid of said organic solution and allyl chloride to produce a product mixture comprising epichlorhydrin, propionic acid and organic solvent; and(c) effecting distillation of said product mixture to separate a product phase rich in epichlorhydrin out from said product mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a continuous process for the production of a peracid in an organic solvent comprising the steps of: (a) providing an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water; (b) providing an organic phase comprising an organic solvent and carboxylic acid; and (c) contacting said aqueous and organic phases countercurrently to produce an aqueous solution comprising sulphuric acid and water and an organic product solution comprising organic solvent and a peracid corresponding to said carboxylic acid. Desirably the process includes the added step of: (d) utilizing at least a portion of said aqueous solution to provide at least a portion of the aqueous phase of step (a).

Abstract: The invention provides bleaching and detergent compositions containing a diacyl peroxide of general formula ROOR.sup.1 in which R represents a phthaloyl radical and R.sup.1 a radical such that ROOR.sup.1, ROOR and R.sup.1 OOR.sup.1 are all soluble in mildly alkaline aqueous solutions. The compositions, optionally containing a persalt such as sodium perborate, preferably in a mole ratio of one mole per mole of diacyl peroxide, are particularly suitable for washing or bleaching at a temperature of from 30.degree.- 60.degree. C. The invention also provides diacyl peroxide compositions desensitized to impact or abrasion by intimate contact with a diluent, e.g. magnesium sulphate, lauric acid or sodium tripolyphosphate and protected against destructive interaction with other components of the bleaching on detergent composition during storage. Preferred diacyl peroxides include diphthaloyl peroxide, especially for colored fabrics.

Abstract: A process for bleaching dark fish meat such as skeletal cod threshings. The fish is bleached in the undissolved state at ambient temperature with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide at a pH of 10.5 to 11.5. Residual hydrogen peroxide is subsequently removed from the separated bleached fish by, for example, treatment with an aqueous solution of catalase at a pH of 7.5 to 8.0. The pH of the fish is finally adjusted to a value of from 6 to 7, that is, the pH of natural fish, by washing it with an aqueous solution of a food acid, for example, citric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides bleaching or detergent compositions containing a cycloaliphatic peroxyacid of general formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN O .ltoreq.m .ltoreq.5,O .ltoreq.n .ltoreq.5 andN+m.gtoreq. 1,And mono or diethylenically unsaturated derivatives thereof, and processes for washing/bleaching using such peroxyacids, preferably at a temperature of from 30 to 60.degree. C. The peroxyacids can be generated in situ by hydrolysis or perhydrolysis of the corresponding diacyl peroxide. The peroxyacid and diacyl peroxide can be desensitized by intimate contact with a diluent e.g. lauric acid or magnesium sulphate and coated to reduce destructive interaction with other components of the detergent or bleaching composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides bleaching or detergent compositions containing phthaloyl peroxide, preferably desensitized by intimate contact with a diluent e.g. magnesium sulphate, lauric acid or sodium trypolyphosphate, and coated to reduce destructive interaction with other components of the detergent or bleaching composition. Optionally the compositions can contain a persalt, e.g. sodium perborate, preferably in a ratio of one mole per mole of phthaloyl peroxide.The compositions are particularly suitable for washing/bleaching fabric at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 60.degree. C.

Abstract: An adhesive composition which comprises a polyurethane comprising (a) units derived from a diisocyanate, (b) units derived from a poly (.epsilon.-caprolactone) diol having a hydroxyl value of from 25 to less than 30, and (c) units derived from an alkane diol chain lengthening agent containing at least 2 carbon atoms, the mole ratio of alkane diol:poly (.epsilon.-caprolactone) diol being from greater than 0.7:1.0 to less than 1.2:1.0. The adhesive may be used in solid form or dissolved in an organic solvent. The adhesive has improved hot bond strength and is particularly useful for bonding shoe soles to shoe uppers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing diphthaloyl peroxide comprising the steps of reacting particulate phthalic anhydride with aqueous hydrogen peroxide in a mobile slurry or paste and thereafter separating diphthaloyl peroxide from the aqueous phase. Preferably the minimum volume of hydrogen peroxide solution is employed commensurate with obtaining a mobile slurry or paste in a mole ratio of phthalic anhydride to hydrogen peroxide of 4:3 to 1:3. Preferably the reaction is effected at a temperature of from 25.degree. to 50.degree. C.Diphthaloyl peroxide is particularly suitable for washing/bleaching fabrics, optionally in conjection with an inorganic persalt e.g. sodium perborate, at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making diphthaloyl peroxide by reacting phthalic anhydride with aqueous hydrogen peroxide at a pH controlled to between pH 8 and 10, preferably pH 8.8 to 9.2 and a low temperature preferably maintained at 0.degree. to 5.degree. C, and thereafter removing diphthaloyl peroxide from solution, suitably by acidification and filtration. Preferably excess solid phthalic anhydride is employed and is filtered out before the solution is acidified. Desirably the concentration of active oxygen species is maintained at below 0.3 moles/liter.Diphthaloyl peroxide is particularly suitable for bleaching/washing fabrics, optionally in conjunction with an inorganic persalt e.g. sodium perborate, at a temperature of from 30.degree. to 60.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for epoxidation of an alkene by reaction with a peracid, characterized by supplying an aqueous phase comprising sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide and water and an organic phase comprising acetic acid or propionic acid in a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent to a liquid-liquid extraction device in such manner that these two phases pass in countercurrent through the extraction device; withdrawing from such extraction device an organic solution of peracid and carboxylic acid in the chlorinated hydrocarbon; passing said organic solution and the alkene cocurrently to a reactor; withdrawing from the reactor a product mixture and effecting fractional distillation thereof; withdrawing from such fractional distillation a product phase comprising the oxirane and a recycle phase comprising carboxylic acid in the chlorinated hydrocarbon, and passing such recycle phase from the distillation to the extraction device to form the organic phase therein.

Abstract: A process for bleaching dark fish meat such as skeletal cod threshings. The fish is bleached in the undissolved state at ambient temperature with a dilute aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide containing a polyphosphate at a pH of 10.5 to 11.5. Residual hydrogen peroxide is subsequently removed from the separated bleached fish by, for example, treatment with an aqueous solution of catalase at a pH of 7.5 to 8.0. The pH of the fish is finally adjusted to a value of from 6 to 7, that is, the pH of natural fish, by washing it with an aqueous solution of a food acid, for example, citric acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of preparing polyurethane foam which comprises the steps of forming an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer by reacting a polyisocyanate with a copolymer having an --OH-functionality greater than 2.00 but less than 3.00 derived from an .epsilon.-caprolactone, an epoxide and a mixture polyhydric alcohol chain initiators; and reacting said prepolymer in the presence of a blowing agent and a catalyst with a reactant mixture which comprises a chain extending agent having at least two functional groups each containing an active hydrogen atom, dissolved in a liquid copolymer of a lactone and an epoxide. The polyurethane foams are useful in the manufacture of shoe soles.