Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing diaminoalkanes which comprises reacting a hydroxyalkanal characterized by two to six carbons, preferably 3-hydroxypropanal, with excess ammonia and sufficient hydrogen to stabilize a nickel or cobalt-containing hydroamination catalyst, at a temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a pressure of at least 500 psig, until there is substantial formation of the desired diaminoalkane, wherein said catalyst comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt, or mixtures thereof, optionally in the presence of one or more promoters.

Abstract: Cement-to-casing sealing in a wellbore is improved through addition of surfactant to the cement.

Abstract: A process for preparing an electrically conductive polymer composition which comprises preparing a blend of a solution of an intrinsically conductive polymer and a thermosetting, thermoplastic or elastomeric polymer and removing the solvent, the intrinsically conductive polymer being employed in a weight ratio to the second polymer of from about 0.005:1 to 3:1, the solution having a solids content of from about 2 to 75 weight percent, and the intrinsically conductive polymer being an electrically conductive, stacked macrocyclic metal complex polymer based upon porphyrin or a derivative thereof which comprises an organic bridging ligand containing conjugated pi-electrons allowing delocalization along the polymer chain and in which the metal atom is Fe, R, Rh, Co, Mn or Cr.

Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst prepared by combining a Group VIIIA metal compound and a hydrocarbyl-substituted silicon alumoxane and a hydrogenation process wherein said catalyst is used to hydrogenate compounds containing ethylenic and/or aromatic unsaturation. The Group VIIIA metal compound is selected from the group of compounds consisting of carboxylates, chelates, alkoxides, salts of hydrocarbon acids containing sulfur and salts of partial half esters of hydrocarbyl acids containing sulfur. Nickel, cobalt and palladium compounds are particularly preferred for use in the hydrogenation catalyst. Hydrogenation catalysts prepared with hydrocarbyl-substituted silicon slumoxanes initially exhibit less hydrogenation activity than catalysts known heretofore in the prior art and prepared with a metal alkyl of a metal selected from Groups, I, II and III. These catalysts, then afford greater control over the extent of hydrogenation, particularly when partial hydrogenation is a desired end result.