Abstract: A novel cerium (IV) material, well adopted for the production of aqueous colloidal sols therefrom, has the general formula (I):Ce(M).sub.t (CH.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 ].sub.n COO.sup.-).sub.x (OH.sup.-).sub.y (NO.sub.3.sup.-).sub.z (I)whereein M is an alkali metal or a quaternary ammonium radical; t ranges from 0.1 to 0.3; n is 0 or 1; x ranges from 0.1 to 0.7; y is a number such that y=4+t-x-z; and z ranges from 0.3 to 0.6.

Abstract: Morphologically improved cerium oxide particulates having low sulfur content, useful, e.g., as catalyst/catalyst supports, and having a B.E.T. specific surface of at least 130 m.sup.2 /g measured at a temperature ranging from 400.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., are prepared by reacting an aqueous solution of cerium (IV) salt with an aqueous solution of sulfate ions to precipitate a basic ceric sulfate, filtering the precipitate which results, washing and optionally drying said precipitate, and thence calcining same.

Abstract: Novel deacetylated polysaccharide biopolymers having improved viscosity/filtrability/injectability, well adopted for the secondary and tertiary recovery of oil deposits, are conveniently prepared by (i) acidifying an aqueous polysaccharide composition, e.g., a carbohydrate fermentation broth, with nitric acid to a pH of from about 2 to 0.1, (ii) heat-treating said acidified composition at a temperature of from about 50.degree. to 100.degree. C. for from about 5 to 60 minutes, and (iii) cooling said heat-treated composition and adjusting the pH thereof to a value of from about 5 to 7.

Abstract: A neodymium hydroxynitrate, readily calcined into, e.g., neodymium oxide, Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3, has the formula (I):Nd(OH).sub.2 NO.sub.3.1H.sub.

Abstract: An SO.sub.2 -containing gas, in particular, pre-stage gas for the Claus reaction to recover sulfur can effectively be purified by removing NH.sub.3 contained therein using a TiO.sub.2 catalyst.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkali metal salts of trifluoroacetic acid in the anhydrous and crystalline state. In a first stage, trifluoroacetic acid is neutralized with an alkaline agent in a medium consisting essentially of an alcohol containing 3 to 4 carbon atoms. In a second stage, the water formed by the neutralization reaction is removed by azeotropic distillation. In a third state, the remainder not removed by distillation in the second stage is treated by adding a hydrocarbon which does not solubilize an alkali metal trifluoroacetate and which forms an azeotrope with the alcohol to separate crystals of anhydrous alkali metal trifluoroacetate.

Abstract: Novel platinum/olefin complexes, useful for the hydrosilylation curing catalysis of hardenable organopolysiloxane compositions, are facilely prepared by reacting a platinum halide with at least one alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonate or bicarbonate in the presence of an aliphatic triene ligand having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is a linear or branched chain alkyl radical having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is R.sub.1 or a linear or branched chain alkenyl radical having from 2 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one site of ethylenic unsaturation, and said complex having a ratio, in gram-atoms of halogen to gram-atoms of platinum, ranging from virtually 0 to 4.

Abstract: Unwanted hair is removed from selected skin area by applying a coating of a curable organopolysiloxane composition thereon, permitting the organopolysiloxane composition to crosslink into a silicone elastomer, e.g., in the form of a solid layer or foam, and embed unwanted hair therein, and then stripping the silicone elastomer and embedded hair from said skin area, whereby said skin area is essentially depilated.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of methyltrifluoroacetate. Trifluoroacetic acid is contacted with an excess of methanol and distilled to form a methyltrifluoroacetate/methanol azeotrope. The azeotrope is contacted with trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of a catalytic quantity of a strong acid followed by distillation to obtain methyltrifluoroacetate. The methyltrifluoroacetate can be used as a synthesis intermediate in the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of N-2-alkenyl-meta-trifluoromethylanilines by the condensation, in an aqueous medium, of an allyl halide with a meta-trifluoromethylaniline in the presence of (1) an alkali metal carbonate, alkali metal hydrogen carbonate or alkali metal hydroxide and (2) a catalytic quantity of tertiary amine.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of perfluoroalkylated alcohols and esters by bringing a carbonyl-containing derivative and a perfluoroalkyl iodide or bromide into contact with zinc, preferably in the presence of a polar aprotic solvent and/or a pyridine.

Abstract: A novel neodymium hydroxy/ammonium nitrate, readily calcined into, e.g., neodymium oxide, Nd.sub.2 O.sub.3, has the formula (I):Nd(OH).sub.x (NO.sub.3).sub.y.n NH.sub.4 NO.sub.3.z H.sub.2 O (I)wherein 2.ltoreq.x.ltoreq. 2.3,0.7.ltoreq. y.ltoreq.1.0,0.8.ltoreq. z.ltoreq.1.25; and 0.8.ltoreq. n.ltoreq. 1.25.

Abstract: Homogeneous, high melting, flexible copolyamides, adopted as molding compositions and for textile applications, are conveniently prepared by (a) prepolymerizing either (i) mixture of adipic acid and hexamethylenediamine, or admixture thereof with at least one other short-chain dicarboxylic acid, or (ii) mixture of (1) a salt of adipic acid, or salt of admixture of adipic acid with at least one other short-chain dicarboxylic acid, and hexamethylenediamine, together with (2) free hexamethylenediamine, said prepolymerization (a) being carried out in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a strong inorganic oxyacid, or strong organic oxyacid other than a carboxylic acid, or alkali or alkaline earth metal thereof, said resulting prepolymer having amino end groups, and thence (b) polycondensing said prepolymer with a fatty acid dimer.

Abstract: Morphologically improved cerium oxide particulates useful, e.g., as catalysts/catalyst supports, and having a B.E.T. specific surface of at least 85.+-.5 m.sup.2 /g, measured at a temperature ranging from 350.degree. C. to 450.degree. C., are prepared by hydrolyzing an aqueous solution of a cerium (IV) salt in an acidic medium, filtering the precipitate of hydrolysis which results, washing and optionally drying said precipitate, and then calcining same.

Abstract: Morphologically improved cerium oxide particulates having low sulfur content, useful, e.g., as catalysts/catalyst supports, and having a B.E.T. specific surface of at least 85.+-.5 m.sup.2 /g, measured at a temperature ranging from 350.degree. C. to 500.degree. C., are prepared by reacting an aqueous solution of cerium (IV) salt with an aqueous solution of sulfate ions to precipitate a basic ceric sulfate, filtering the precipitate which results, washing and optionally drying said precipitate, and then calcining same.

Abstract: At least one rare earth value is selectively separated from at least one other rare earth value, by selectively liquid/liquid extracting an aqueous phase comprising the nitrates of said rare earth values with an organic phase which comprises an organic extractant, said organic extractant comprising at least one organophosphinic compound having one of the formulae (I) or (I'): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, which may be identical or different, are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkoxyalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl radicals, and X is either hydrogen or a cation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of trifluoroacetic anhydride which comprises bringing together trifluoroacetic acid with the anhydride of an .alpha.-halogenated acid.

Abstract: The organosilanes/organopolysilanes, e.g., methylchlorosilanes useful in the production of silicones, are facilely prepared by contacting, in an inert atmosphere, (1) at least one disilane having the general formula:(R).sub.3 Si--Si--R).sub.3 (I)wherein the radicals R, which may be identical or different, are each C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl, hydrogen, 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl, trimethylsiloxy, fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, with (2) a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst system comprising (a) at least one ionic inorganic salt having the formula:M.sup.+ A.sup.-wherein M.sup.+ is lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium or cesium, and A.sup.- is fluoride, chloride, bromide or iodide, and (b) at least one compound which complexes the cation M.sup.+ of said salt (a), e.g., a sequestering agent having the formula:N--CHR.sub.1 --CHR.sub.2 O--CHR.sub.3 CHR.sub.4 O).sub.n R.sub.5 ].sub.3 (II).

Abstract: Latices of vinyl acetate polymers comprising particles having an average diameter between 0.05 and 1 .mu.m and being present in the latex at a concentration of between 10 and 70% by weight. The polymers have a glass transition temperature between -20.degree. and 50.degree. C. The latices also contain a protective colloid comprising a water-soluble polymer (a) containing at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N-methylolacrylamide and N-methylolmethacrylamide and a water-soluble polymer (b) of ethylene glycol, the polymer (b) having a molecular weight between 1,000 and 50,000.The latices are prepared by polymerization in aqueous emulsion, in the presence of both an initiator and the above-reference protective colloid. The latices may be applied as binders in the manufacture of paints, glues, paper, textiles, floor coverings and mortar additives.

Abstract: Latices of particles of vinyl acetate/olefin copolymers. The particles have an average diameter between 0.05 and 1 .mu.M. The copolymers have a glass transition temperature between -30.degree. and 50.degree. C. The particles are present in the latices in a concentration between 10 and 70% by weight. The latices contain a protective colloid comprising a water-soluble polymer (a) containing at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N-methylolacrylamide and N-methylolmethacrylamide and a water-soluble polymer (b) of ethylene glycol, wherein polymer (b) has a molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000.The latices are prepared by polymerization in aqueous emulsion, in the presence of an initiator and the above-described protective colloid.The latices may be applied as binders in the manufacture of paints, glues, paper, textiles, floor coverings and mortar additives.