Abstract: Novel condensation reactions used to produce 1,3-cyclohexadiene. Such a compound is an important precursor in the manufacture of high performance plastics, as one example, are provided. In the past, the production methods for such 1,3-cyclohexadiene required very complex reactions involving numerous process steps. Such a method has proven costly, difficult to properly monitor and control, and less than reliable to provide even low amounts of such a precursor compound. The inventive production methods thus permit a reduction in complexity and cost, and, with a single reaction step, facilitate quality measurements as to the product purity itself.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fluid dispersion of at least one dibenzylidene sorbitol acetal derivative. The sorbitol acetal derivative is useful as a clarifying agent for polyolefins and the inventive fluid dispersion permits improvements in the handling and processing of and mixing within the polyolefin composition. The inventive dispersion must be shelf stable, retain its nucleating effects, be compatible with polypropylene (and other polyolefins), and possess both short-term and long-term viscosities which permit acceptable transport through a standard polyolefin-manufacturing peristaltic pump. The preferred inventive dispersion thus comprises 3,4-DMDBS and at least one ethoxylated nonionic surfactant having an HLB of greater than about 8.5. Preferred surfactants include those selected from the group consisting essentially of ethoxylated sorbitan (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monoesters and ethoxylated nonyl-phenol ethers.