Abstract: Epoxidation procedure for olefinic compounds with hydrogen peroxide in the presence of solvents, preferably C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alcohols, using silica supported titanium catalysts, prepared by the impregnation of the silica with solutions of titanium alkoxydes and/or titanocenes in oxygenated organic solvents.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a cocatalyst and a catalyst component obtained by contacting a silicon-containing metallocene compound with an inorganic support to chemically bond the metallocene compound to the inorganic support, wherein the silicon-containing metallocene compound has a formula (I): ##STR1## wherein: M is a metal selected from [the group consisting of] group 4, 5, or 6 of the periodic table;each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.40 arylalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.40 alkylaryl, and C.sub.8 -C.sub.40 arylalkenyl;A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are independently selected from the group consisting of cyclopentadienyl, substituted cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl, substituted indenyl, and substituted fluorenyl, wherein the substituents are independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 linear or branched alkyl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nietallocene compounds characterized by the following formulas:(LR.sub.k).sub.z [LR.sub.k-f (R.sup.I OH).sub.f ].sub.x MX.sub.yI ##STR1## wherein: L, equal to or different from each other, is selected from the group comprising: cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, fluorenyl, octahydrofluorenyl or benzoindenyl; each R is independently selected from hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 aryl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.20 alkenyl C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 arylalkyl, C.sub.7 -C.sub.20 alkylaryl, C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 arylalkenyl, linear or branched, optionally substituted by 1 to 10 halogen atoms, or a group SiR.sup.II.sub.3 ; each R.sup.I equal to or different from each other, is a group SiR.sup.II.sub.

Abstract: The propylene oxide and styrene co-production process generates a heavy residue byproduct containing metals, mainly sodium, which previously was adequate for use only as low quality fuel. According to the invention, the heavy residue is dehydrated in the presence of a strong inorganic acid at temperatures of 150-250.degree. C. and pressures below the atmospheric pressure to yield styrene and recover 2-phenylethanol, a compound used in the perfume industry, and a heavy residue substantially free of metals that may be used as fuel.

Abstract: It is shown metallocences with functionalized bridge of formula ##STR1## wherein M represents a transition metal from groups 3, 4, 5 or 6, L represents cyclopentadienyl-type ligands, Y represents a halogen and which can own one or various bridges between unities L. At least one of these bridges is functionalized through a group constituted by the union between a halogen atom and a silicon, germanium or tin atom. It is also shown a method for the synthesis of these metallocene compounds starting from the corresponding metallic halure and a precursor of the ligand with leaving groups. The functionalization shown by these compounds give them a peculiar reactivity that can be used for the formation of new metallocene derivatives, including bi- or poly-metallocene compounds. This reactivity is shown in the present document through examples with alcohol-type substrates.

Abstract: Process for producing hydrogenated rubbers which allows an easy and effective deactivation of the living polymer before the hydrogenation step. The deactivation of living polymer is carried out using compounds with very good solubility in water of formula R--OH, R--COOH or compound of type R'.sub.n --Si--Cl.sub.4-n, R'.sub.n --Sn--Cl.sub.4-n, with n comprised between 0 and 3, extremes included; wherein R is a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkyl group optionally containing one or more polar functional groups selected from C--OH, COOH, and R' is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 aryl. The catalysts used in the hydrogenation of the deactivated polymer are titanocene compounds, being the most preferred those of formula Cp.sub.2 Ti (PhOCH.sub.3).sub.2 and Cp.sub.2 Ti (CH.sub.2 PPh.sub.2).sub.2.

Abstract: Improved procedure for the production of hydrogen peroxide by oxidation with molecular oxygen of secondary alcohols admixed with primary alcohols and/or ethers.

Abstract: A method of preparation of copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene, useful for the production of tires or elastic materials, characterized by a reduced rolling resistance without detriment to other properties such as skid resistance. The copolymer is prepared using anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene and coupling of part of the chains in star shape with an appropriate compound of tin or silicon, terminating the remainder of the linear chains without coupling using an appropriately selected different compound. The presence of these linear chains terminated with tin yields a beneficial effect in the reduction of rolling resistance when said product is used in tire formulations. The invention also concerns the copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene obtained by said method.

Abstract: This invention is related to a method for the preparation of heterogeneous catalysts, useful for the production of poliolefins. The method is characterized because said catalysts are obtained by supporting onto solids soluble metallocenes possessing one or more functional groups. Said functional groups are characterized because they can react with other reactive groups on the surface of the solids. The reactive groups on the solids can be part of said solids or incorporated by means of chemical modification. These catalyst systems are especially appropiated for the polymerization of one or several 1-olefins having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms in their chain. Further, they are especially appropiated for the copolymerization of ethylene with 1-olefins having from 3 to 20 carbon atoms in their chains. These polymerization processes can be carried out in gas-phase slurry or solution, at high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A method for converting methane by an oxidative coupling reaction to longer chain hydrocarbons comprising cofeeding methane and oxygen simultaneously and continuously into a reaction zone to form a mixture, contacting said methane and oxygen mixture under oxidative coupling reaction conditions with a solid catalyst consisting essentially of manganese oxide and silicon oxide, promoted with an alkaline metal and non metal, to form longer chain hydrocarbons wherein the manganese, silicon oxide, alkali metal and non metal are present in a molar ratio 0-0.5:93.2-93.7:4.2:2.1.

Abstract: A method of preparation of copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene, useful for the production of tires or elastic materials, characterized by a reduced rolling resistance without detriment to other properties such as skid resistance. The copolymer is prepared using anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene and coupling of part of the chains in star shape with an appropriate compound of tin or silicon, terminating the remainder of the linear chains without coupling using an appropriately selected different compound. The presence of these linear chains terminated with tin yields a beneficial effect in the reduction of rolling resistance when said product is used in tire formulations. The invention also concerns the copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene obtained by said method.

Abstract: An improved method for the oxidative conversion of methane into higher hydrocarbons in which methane and oxygen are continuously and simultaneously cofed into a reaction zone under effective oxidative coupling conditions and contacted with a solid catalyst consisting essentially of a catalyst having a composition of empirical formula Ce.sub.a Na.sub.b Ca.sub.100 O.sub.x wherein a is in the range 0.03 to 2.0, b is in the range of 0.7 to 7.0 and oxygen is present in a molar amount sufficient to fulfill the valence requirements of cerium, sodium and calcium.

Abstract: A commercial gas oven has as its only source of heat for heating and for steam generating an extended mesh-type burner and a sealed combustion chamber. The oven works in five cooking modes reaching steam saturation below 100.degree. C. and a high humidity up to 250.degree. C., combining air convection from a central turbine and the steam which is generated into the oven. At least one steam generator duct conveys the combustion fumes around a central turbine on whose surface falls the water sprayed from a sprayer linked to the turbine. The fumes are recovered to contribute to heating the cooking chamber by means of a takeup box.

Abstract: A process of hydrogenation in solution of polymers of conjugated dienes in the presence of homogeneous catalysts which contain, as an essential component, a titanium compound of the type Cp.sub.2 Ti(PhOR).sub.2, where Cp is a cylopentadienyl group, ph a phenyl group, and OR an alkoxide group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms; or a titanium compound of the type Cp.sub.2 TiR.sub.2, where R is a Ch.sub.2 PPh.sub.2 group.These catalysts are very active in the selective hydrogenation of the double bonds of the diene units of polymers or copolymers of conjugated dienes having number-averaged molecular weights or between approximately 500 and 1,000,000 and, in particular, of random and block copolymers of styrene and butadiene or isoprene, the latter containing at least one styrene block and one polybutadiene and/or polyisoprene block.

Abstract: A procedure for the extraction of polyhydroxyalkanoates from halophilic bacteria which contain them, using lysis or rupture of halophilic cells (for example, of the halobacteria type) which develop in media with high salt concentrations, by concentration by centrifugation, and then dilution-resuspension in a medium with low salt concentration, for example, fresh or distilled water, and then centrifugation, sedimentation, or filtration of the suspension obtained.

Abstract: A method of preparing homopolymers of conjugate dienes and copolymers of conjugate dienes with other dienes or with vinyl aromatic compounds, by means of which the aforementioned monomers are polymerised by using a complex catalytic composition basically comprising (a) an organomagnesium compound, (b) an organoaluminium compound and (c) an organic compound of phosphorus P(V) or P(III), of the metals barium, strontium or calcium. The method according to the invention is for producing homopolymers of 1,3-butadiene and copolymers of butadiene and styrene in random manner, with a high 1,4-trans addition content (above 70%) and vinyl addition below 5%. The method is also used to prepare block copolymers of the aforementioned monomers.

Abstract: Procedure of olefin hydrogenation in liquid phase in the presence of homogeneous catalysts that contain, as essential component, a titanocene of general formula Cp CpTiR.sub.2, Cp CpTiR.sub.2, Cp Cp[CpTiR.sub.2 ].sub.2, or Cp Cp[Cp TiR.sub.2 ].sub.2 where Cp is a pentamethylcyclopentadienyl, Cp cyclopentadienyl, Cp Cp are two cyclopentadienyl rings linked together by a dimethylsililene (Me.sub.2 Si), and R is an alyl, aryl, alkylaryl, or alcoxide group containing between 1 and 20 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, a PPh.sub.2, CH.sub.2 SiMe.sub.3, CH.sub.2 PPh.sub.2, or H.These catalysts are very active in the hydrogenation of linear and branched, internal and external olefins, cycloolefins and diolefins.