Abstract: This invention relates to a novel thermoplastic and amorphous polyimide which is readily soluble in organic solvent, a novel aromatic diamino compound used for the polyimide, a preparation process thereof, a polyimide-based resin composition comprising the thermoplastic polyimide and a fibrous reinforcement, a process for preparing the resin composition, an injection molded article of the resin composition, a polyimide-based composite obtained by molding the above soluble and thermoplastic polyimide in combination with a fibrous reinforcement, and a fibrous reinforcement having a surface modified with the above polyimide.

Abstract: A light reflective sheet is here disclosed which comprises a porous resin sheet and a protective layer laminated on at least one surface of the porous resin sheet; the porous resin sheet comprises a polyolefin resin and 100 to 300 parts by weight of a finely powdery inorganic filler with respect to 100 parts by weight of a polyolefin resin; the porous resin sheet is stretched at an area stretch magnification of 1.5 to 20 times; the light reflectance of the porous resin sheet at a wave length of 550 nm is 95% or more; and the stiffness of the light reflective sheet is at least 50 mm. A light reflector using the light reflective sheet is also disclosed. Preferably, the protective layer has a function as a UV light protective layer and/or a light leakage preventing auxiliary layer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 3-(N,N-disubstituted amino)phenol is herein disclosed which comprises reacting resorcin with a primary amine represented by formula (2):R.sup.1 NH.sub.2 (2)wherein R.sup.1 is an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkoxyalkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group,terminating the reaction when the conversion of resorcin is 50 mol % or more and when the amount of an N,N'-disubstituted-m-phenylenediamine as a by-product is 2 mol % or less of the amount of used resorcin, adding an alkyl halide represented by formula (3):R.sup.2 X (3)wherein R.sup.2 is an alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group; and X is a halogen atom,to the obtained reaction mixture, adding an aqueous alkaline solution to the resultant reaction mixture to dissolve unreacted resorcin in the aqueous phase, extracting the 3-(N,N-disubstituted amino)phenol with an organic solvent, and then recovering unreacted resorcin from the aqueous phase.

Abstract: Novel thermoset polyimide and composite materials comprising the thermoset polyimides and a fibrous reinforcement are prepared according to this invention. The thermoset polyimides are obtained by heat-treating a linear polyamic acid or a linear polyimide prepared by using 4,4'-bis(3-aminophenoxy)biphenyl and pyromellitic dianhydride as essential monomers or by adding 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether or 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride to the essential monomers and by end-capping the molecular chain end with an aromatic dicarboxylic anhydride having a carbon-carbon triple bond. The thermoset polyimides have essential excellent properties of thermoplastic polyimide and additionally has enhanced heat resistance and improved mechanical properties. The thermoset polyimide can be used to provide various kinds of composite materials for aircraft matrices, electric and electronic appliances and others.

Abstract: A method for preparing an improved catalyst for use in the preparation of chlorine by the oxidization of hydrogen chloride with an oxygen-containing gas. The catalyst mainly comprises chromium oxide and can be used for a long period of time particularly under low oxygen content conditions, and the activity of the catalyst does not easily deteriorate, and in other words, the catalyst has a long life. Furthermore, there are disclosed the catalyst obtained by this preparation method, and a method for preparing chlorine from hydrogen chloride by the use of the catalyst. The method for preparing the improved catalyst comprises adding copper, an alkali metal and a rare earth metal, or adding chromium, copper, an alkali metal and a rare earth metal to a catalyst containing chromium oxide as a main component, and then calcining the catalyst at a temperature of 800.degree. C. or less.

Abstract: A phthalocyanine near infrared absorber having a broad absorption range in the near infrared region and represented by the following formula (1): ##STR1## wherein each of the groups is defined.

Abstract: A process for preparing a block copolymer of an .alpha.-olefin and a vinyl compound is here disclosed which comprises the steps of polymerizing an olefin selected from ethylene and the .alpha.-olefin having 3 or more carbon atoms by the use of a divalent or a trivalent rare earth metal complex, and then polymerizing a vinyl compound, a vinylidene compound or a lactone. According to the process of the present invention, a polar group can be introduced into a polyolefin, whereby the characteristics of the polymer can be effectively improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polarizing film having high heat resistance and a high degree of polarization and excellent optical properties by dyeing a polymer film with a novel azo compound represented by the following formula (1) or (2): ##STR1##

Abstract: Provided is an optical recording medium in which per-pits in a ROM area have a depth of 250 nm or more and 350 nm or less; pre-grooves between the pre-pits have a depth of 30 nm or more and 170 nm or less; wobbling tracks have an amplitude of 25 nm or more and 110 nm or less; the product of the depth of the pre-grooves between the pits and the wobble amplitude of the track is 3100 or more; and pre-grooves in a RAM area have a depth of 130 nm or more and 250 nm or less. The optical recording medium is a hybrid disk having such good signal characteristics as satisfying the Orange Book standards.

Abstract: A process for producing refined hydrogen iodide having organic components of 0.2 ppm by volume or less and water of 0.1 ppm by volume or less by contacting crude hydrogen iodide with a zeolite is disclosed. Crude hydrogen iodide is obtained by reducing iodine with a hydrogenated naphthalene, wherein all of the iodine is dissolved in advance in a portion of the hydrogenated naphthalene to prepare an iodine solution, and the reaction is carried out while adding continuously or intermittently the iodine solution to the balance of the hydrogenated naphthalene. The same operation may be repeated in succession using unreacted hydrogenated naphthalene and fresh iodide. The zeolite is contacted in advance with crude hydrogen iodide, the amount of which is at least 1/3 (weight ratio) relative to the amount of the zeolite, to convert impurities of sulfur components contained in the zeolite to hydrogen sulfide, thereby removing the sulfur components.

Abstract: A composition for a urethane-base plastic lens, comprising:(a) at least one ester compound selected from the group consisting of isocyanate compounds, isothiocyanate compounds and isocyanato-containing isothiocyanate compounds,(b) at least one active hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl compounds, mercapto compounds and mercapto-containing hydroxyl compounds,(c) a tertiary amine, and(d) a Lewis acid;a plastic lens obtained by heating and curing the composition, and a process for the production of the plastic lens. The composition has a long pot life and can produce an optically uniform plastic lens in a short time.

Abstract: A near infrared light-absorbing dye comprising phthalocyanine compounds represented by the following formula (2): ##STR1## wherein in formula (2), M is two hydrogen atoms, a divalent metallic atom, a trivalent monosubstituted metallic atom, a tetravalent disubstituted metallic atom or an oxymetal atom, and L.sup.1, L.sup.2, L.sup.3 and L.sup.4 are each independently formula (a) or (b), ##STR2## in the formula (a) or (b), R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are each a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, and R.sup.2 is a straight chain or branched halogenated alkyl or alkenyl group having 3 to 10 carbon atoms,X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, and m is an integer of 1 to 12, provided that formula (2) represents a mixture of L.sup.1 =L.sup.2 =L.sup.3 =L.sup.4 =formula (a), L.sup.1 =L.sup.2 =L.sup.4 =formula (a) and L.sup.3 =formula (b), L.sup.1 =L.sup.4 =formula (a) and L.sup.2 =L.sup.3 =formula (b), L.sup.1 =L.sup.3 =formula (a) and L.sup.2 =L.sup.4 =formula (b), L.sup.1 =formula (a) and L.sup.2 =L.sup.3 =L.sup.

Abstract: A heat-sensitive recording material which has a support and a heat-sensitive recording layer containing at least one carboxylate represented by the following formula (1) or (2) ##STR1## wherein a ring X is an aromatic residue which may have a substitute; the other substituents are as defined herein. The heat-sensitive recording material exhibits excellent color image stability and can provide an optically character-readable sharp image.

Abstract: A preparation process of heat-resistant molded articles of a lactic acid-based polymer comprising mixing the lactic acid-based polymer and poly-.epsilon.-caprolactone so as to obtain a L-lactic acid ratio of 75% by weight or more, adding to the polymer mixture a crystalline inorganic powder containing 50% by weight or more of SiO.sub.2, melt-kneading the resultant composition, filling the same into a mold which is set at 85.degree..about.125.degree. C. and forming a shape while promoting crystallization. The molded articles have excellent heat resistance and impact strength, are suitably used for food trays and beverage cups, and can be degraded, in the case of waste, into nontoxic water and carbon dioxide like natural products within a relatively short period in the natural environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of glyoxals which comprises effecting the oxidative dehydrogenation of a glycol at a temperature of 400.degree. to 700.degree. C. in the presence of a silver-based catalyst composed of silver and at least one element selected from the group consisting of gold, platinum, rhodium and palladium, and phosphorus or a phosphorus compound, as well as such catalysts. These process and catalysts make it possible to produce high-quality glyoxals in high yield and with industrial advantages while minimizing the contents of unreacted raw material and reaction intermediates such as glycolaldehyde and acetol.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymers (polyaspartic acid Zwitterionic derivatives) containing, in the molecule, 1 mol % or more of at least one repeating unit selected from the group consisting of repeating units represented by the following formulas (1) and (2). ##STR1## These polymers are useful in the preparation of hair-treating compositions and cosmetic compositions having excellent hairdressing properties and good biocompatibility.

Abstract: The invention is a purification process of an aliphatic polyester prepared in the presence of a catalyst from a hydroxycarboxylic acid or a cyclic ester of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, or a combination of an aliphatic polyhydric alcohol with an aliphatic polybasic acid, or a mixture of these compounds, comprising deactivating the catalyst while maintaining the aliphatic polyester in a molten or dissolved state, or insolubilizing and separating the catalyst and successively removing low molecular compounds; and can provide aliphatic polyester which has a low content of unreacted monomers and low molecular weight compounds and is excellent in heat resistance and weatherability.

Abstract: A thin microcrystalline silicon semiconductor film suitable for use as an intrinsic semiconductor layer in an amorphous silicon solar cell or the like. The thin microcrystalline silicon semiconductor film comprises an amorphous phase with crystallites contained therein in the form of a prismatic or conical crystallite aggregate phase. Additional crystallites may be dispersed as individual crystallites in the amorphous phase. In the thin film, the crystalline fraction may preferably range from 5 to 80% and the crystallite size may preferably range from 2 to 1,000 nm. This thin film can be formed by first forming an initial film to a thickness in a range of from 2 nm to 100 nm at a deposition rate of from 0.01 nm/sec to 0.1 nm/sec on a substrate and then forming a principal film at a deposition rate of from 0.1 nm/sec to 2 nm/sec, for example, in accordance with RF plasma CVD.

Abstract: Described herein are propylene waxes and a production process thereof. The waxes are each produced by polymerizing propylene in a reaction vessel while using a solid catalyst in the presence or absence of an organoaluminum compound. A hydrogen partial pressure of a gas phase in the reaction vessel, said gas phase being formed of the propylene and hydrogen, is maintained at 10% or higher. The solid catalyst is formed of a transition metal compound or a reaction product between the transition metal compound and an organometallic compound, an aluminoxane and a fine particulate carrier. Also described herein is a heating-roll fixing type toner composition composed essentially of a binder resin or a binder resin composition, a colorant and, as a releasing agent, the wax.

Abstract: Disclosed are an epoxy acrylate resin of the general formula (1) ##STR1## and an acid-modified epoxy acrylate resin obtained by reacting the epoxy acrylate resin with a carboxylic acid or an anhydride thereof, as well as curable resin compositions containing such a resin and the cured products thereof.