Abstract: The invention concerns a polyurethane elastomer containing structural units of type (a), in which: the group —O—R1—O—is a macrodiol group with a molecular weight of approximately 500 to 10000, R2 is a bivalent aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and/or aliphatic-cycloaliphatic group; and X is a short-chain olefinically unsaturated group, Y is NH or O, n is an integer from 1 to 10 and m is an integer of at least 4. The invention also concerns a method of preparing this polyurethane elastomer which can be melt-spun to form fibres or melt-extruded to form foils. The fibres or foils can be exposed to energy-rich radiation such that crosslinking of the polyurethane occurs. Fibres according to the invention display superior properties in terms of textile-mechanical properties, in particular good tensile strength, elongation at tear, residual elongation and heat distortion temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for the production of acetic acid by the controlled oxidation of ethanol. The process according to the invention comprises the reaction of ethanol with a source of oxygen. The reaction is performed in the presence of a catalyst in which the active stage is vanadium, titanium, and oxygen.