Abstract: A new roofing composition provides for the application of an acrylic polymer to a hot or cold asphaltic layer. The acrylic polymer is provided with barrier characteristics that resist the movement of mobile phases into the shield layer. The barrier characteristics are provided by ensuring that the polymer include a minor (preferably less than 5%) amount of metal complexes. The polymer should be present in an amount sufficient to ensure that it can form a continuous film on application to the base asphaltic layer. Pigment volume concentration should not be present in an amount that would interfere with the barrier characteristics, with the pigment volume concentration being less than 35%.

Abstract: Two new optically active pyrrolidinephosphine monomers prepared by the reaction of 2(S), 4(S)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine and 2(R), 4(R)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine with acryloyl-chloride to give N-acryloyl-2(S), 4(S)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine (1) and N-acryloyl-2(R), 4(R)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine (2). Copolymerization of 1 and 2 with hydrophilic comonomers and a divinyl monomer provided crosslinked insoluble polymers containing about 3-5% of 1 or 2 that would swell in polar solvents. Exchange of rhodium(I) onto the polymer gave catalysts which were active for the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-acyl-amino acids in high optical yields, the phosphine derived from the enantiomer of the naturally occurring 4-hydroxyproline giving S-amino acids.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefins (e.g., 1,3-butadiene) are carbonylated by the palladium-catalyzed addition of carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula ROH (e.g., benzyl alcohol) whereby polycarboxylic esters are formed in which the pair of double bonds of the conjugated diolefin has been transformed into a moiety having the formula: ##STR1## In the process, the olefin, carbon monoxide, and alcohol are reacted in the presence of a palladium(II) salt, a copper(II) salt, and a base, at certain concentrations and at a pressure and temperature sufficient to effect the carbonylation. The resulting unsaturated diester can be hydrolyzed and hydrogenated or vice versa to obtain the corresponding linear diacid (e.g., adipic acid).

Abstract: Compounds capable of functioning as membrane mobility agents in plant and animal cells are described. These compounds have a structure represented by the formula ##STR1## in which A represents a hydrophilic chain; Z represents either an ester linkage ##STR2## an amide linkage ##STR3## or an ether linkage (--O--); R.sub.1 represents either a straight-chain alkyl group or a straight-chain alkyl group interrupted by one or more cyclopropyl groups; R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 each represent either hydrogen, lower alkyl, or a halogen group; and x represents an integer from 2 to 10.The membrane mobility agents of the invention promote the lateral mobility through cell membranes of molecules ranging in size from phospholipids to surface antigens. They represent a new class of biologically active molecules which may be used to alter the mobility of membrane components in animal and plant cells to alter such cells in their response to external stimuli.