Abstract: A method for producing .alpha.-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid or its alkyl esters which is characterized in that starting materials are inexpensive, processes are easy to be done and products are highly pure. The method comprises the steps of (I): catalytically cracking 1,1-bis(p-isobutylphenyl)ethane at temperatures in the range of 200.degree. to 650.degree. C. in the presence of a protonic acid catalyst and/or a solid acid catalyst to produce isobutylbenzene and p-isobutylstyrene; and (II): reacting said p-isobutylstyrene with carbon monoxide and water or alcohol at temperatures in the range of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of a metal complex carbonylation catalyst to produce .alpha.-(p-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid or its alkyl ester; or (III): reacting said p-isobutylstyrene with carbon monoxide and hydrogen at temperatures in the range of 40.degree. to 150.degree. C. in the presence of a metal complex carbonylation catalyst to produce .alpha.

Abstract: An improved electrical insulating oil and oil-filled electrical appliances impregnated therewith. The electrical insulating oil can be produced inexpensively but has excellent electrical characteristics and it comprises a fraction having boiling points in the range of 350.degree. to 450.degree. C. that is prepared by disproportionating diarylalkane or a hydrocarbon mixture mainly containing the same at temperatures in the range of 20.degree. to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a disproportionation catalyst, said diarylalkane having boiling points in the range of 260.degree. to 320.degree. C.

Abstract: An improved electrical insulating oil and oil-filled electrical appliances impregnated therewith. The electrical insulating oil has a low viscosity, low pour point and other excellent electrical characteristics and it comprises an isomer mixture of dibenzylbenzenes in which the quantity of p-dibenzylbenzene is not more that 10% by weight and the weight ratio of m-dibenzylbenzene/o-dibenzylbenzene is not lower than 3.

Abstract: An electrical insulating oil composition which is characterized in that said insulating oil composition contains 5 to 300 ppm (as sulfur) of sulfur compounds and exerts excellent deterioration resistance when the insulating oil composition is fed through or used in contact with a substance made of lead or a lead alloy.

Abstract: Provided is an oil-impregnated power cable comprising an insulation layer formed by winding a composite film of polyolefin film and insulating paper onto an electric conductor and impregnated with an impregnating oil, said impregnating oil comprising distillates within a boiling range in terms of values at normal pressure between 265.degree. C. and 360.degree. C. obtained by contacting a hydrocarbon mixture with a boiling range between 75.degree. C. and 198.degree. C. resulting from a thermal cracking of petroleum hydrocarbons at a temperature of 700.degree. C. or higher and containing monocyclic aromatics and aromatic olefins, in liquid phase with an acid catalyst.

Abstract: A heat storage material having a melting point in the range of 90.degree. to 100.degree. C. and is excellent in that it is neither corrosive, inflammable nor toxic. The heat storage material comprises a mixture of dimethyl terephthalate and one member selected from the group consisting of dimethyl fumarate and dihydroanthracene.

Abstract: A process for producing a solvent for use in microcapsules for pressure-sensitive copying paper which comprises hydrogenating a hydrocarbon mixture with a boiling range of 290.degree. - 400.degree. C, which is obtained as a by-product in the decomposition of petroleum etc. and is containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compounds, at a temperature within a range of 100.degree. - 400.degree. C and in the presence of a hydrogenating catalyst capable of catalyzing nuclear hydrogenation so as to hydrogenate the aromatic rings of the compounds which contain at least three aromatic rings and are principal components of said polycyclic hydrocarbon compounds, leaving at least two aromatic rings therein intact.

Abstract: A solvent for the pressure sensitive record material which consists of a normally liquid compound having 13 to 18 Carbon atoms and being represented by the following general formula: ##SPC1##In which each of R.sub.1 to R.sub.5 is hydrogen, methyl group or etyl group R.sub.6 is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, n-propyl, tert-buthyl or sec-buthyl group; and the preparation method of the above solvent from styrene and C.sub.7 - C.sub.10 aromatic hydrocarbons using sulfuric acid as the catalyst.