Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising a mixture or reaction mixture of a carbodithioic acid of formula: (I) or its internal salt; and at least one compound independently selected from a natural or synthetic rubber curing or vulcanization accelerator, activator or retarding agent. wherein R? and R? are independently selected from a C2-C18 aliphatic moiety; aromatic moiety; alicyclic moiety; aromatic heterocyclic moiety; and aliphatic heterocyclic moiety or R? and R? may together form part of an aromatic heterocyclic ring moiety or aliphatic heterocyclic ring moiety.

Abstract: A metal dialkyldithiocarbamate or other such compound including a group of the formula R.sub.2 NCS-- or R.sub.2 NS-- is useful as a rubber accelerator/vulcanizing agent, wherein each R is C.sub.5-18 branched alkyl.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition comprises sulfur-vulcanizable rubber, sulfur or a sulfur-donor, a zinc compound, and a sulfur-containing amine of the formulaR.sup.1 --S.sub.n --R--NR.sup.2 R.sup.3wherein R is a divalent radical comprising a chain of at least 2 C atoms, R.sup.1 is an organic radical, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each H or an organic radical, provided that NR.sup.2 R.sup.3 is not NH(C.sub.1-6 alkyl), and n is an integer, or a salt thereof, provided that the amine is not 3-(methylthio)propylamine. The amine is preferably cystamine.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises a minor amount of a pro-degradant selected from essentially carboxycylic .beta.-diketones and metal complexes thereof, e.g. 2,2'-methylene(1,3-cyclohexanedione) or its Mn(II) or Zn complex. A film of the composition may be used for the protection of seeds or seedlings at an agricultural or horticultural locus.

Abstract: A dibenzylthiuram sulphid such as tetrabenzylthiuram disulphide is combined with a dihydrocarbyl xanthogen polysulphide and/or a xanthate to provide a composition which has good properties as an accelerator in rubber vulcanisation, without providing harmful nitrosatables.

Abstract: A composition which comprises a polymer and a nickel dialkyldithiocarbamate of the formula (R.sup.1 R.sup.2 NCSS).sub.2 Ni, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different branched-chain C.sub.5-18 alkyl groups. Such a composition, which preferably additionally comprises a zinc dialkyldithiocarbamate, can be used, e.g. in film or sheet form, to protect flora at an agricultural or horticultural locus.

Abstract: A novel mixture comprises a dihydrocarbyl xanthogen polysulphide and a xanthate selected from metal hydrocarbylxanthates and dihydrocarbylxanthates. Such a mixture can be used to cure a vulcanizable rubber composition containing less than 0.4 parts by weight of nitrosatable materials per 100 parts by weight rubber; the use of toxic conventional nitrogen-containing accelerators such as amines can be avoided.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing 2-oxazolines which comprises cyclodehydrating a hydroxyalkylamide in the presence of a stannous salt of a carboxylic acid. The 2-oxazolines have a variety of uses such as pharmaceutical intermediates, pharmaceuticals and as stabilizers for resins.