Abstract: Essentially pure and colorless laevulinic acid is produced by heating and ring-opening furfuryl alcohol in the presence of water and a strong non-oxidizing protonic acid, and which includes establishing a reaction medium containing water, the strong protonic acid and a reaction solvent amount of laevulinic acid, and progressively introducing the furfuryl alcohol into such reaction medium.

Abstract: A composition of matter, particularly useful as a viscosity additive comprising:6 to 15 parts by weight of a 60/40-54/46 ethylene/propylene copolymer of Mw 155,000-250,000 (OCP),2 to 8 parts by weight of a poly(C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl methacrylate) of Mw 30,000-150,000 (PMA) with a PMA/OCP ratio of 1/5 to 1/1, andthe complement to 100 parts by weight of diluent oil. Also disclosed are lubricating compositions comprising the above additive composition, preferably in an amount of from 0.1 to 10% by weight based on the weight of lubricating oil.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel method of oxidizing hydrazo compounds to corresponding azo compounds, and more particularly 4,4'-hydrazo-bis-4-cyano-pentanoic acid to 4,4'-azo-bis-4-cyano-pentanoic acid at a temperature close to ambient temperature, said method comprising the step of effecting oxidation with the aid of hydrogen peroxide under the following conditions: catalysis of the reaction by means of UV radiation, operation in aqueous solution at a pH.ltoreq.0.5, said pH being obtained by addition of hydrochloric acid and/or hydrobromic acid, and operation in a reaction medium comprising Br.sup.- ions at a concentration at least equal to 30 ppm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to additives for lubricating oils, constituted by a copolymer prepared from 35-55%, and preferably 40-50%, of substituted or non-substituted styrene monomers, and from 65-45%, and preferably 60-50% of heavy C.sub.12 -C.sub.20 alkyl esters of methacrylic acid, of which at least 80% consist of C.sub.16 -C.sub.20 alkylmethacrylates, said copolymer having a polydispersity which is as low as possible, a parameter of solubility close to that of the oil for which the additives are intended and a molecular weight of between 80,000 and 200,000 and being able, moreover, to be modified by a comonomer and vinyl compounds. One application of the invention is the formulation of lubricating oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds of formula Q--O--R--O--Q wherein Q represents a substituted or unsubstituted 2-(2-hydroxybenzyl) phenyl group, and R is a residue of a di- or tri-basic, organic or inorganic acid. Compounds in accordance with the invention can be used as stabilizers for plastics materials, in particular to provide them with thermal stability and stability against ultra violet light. The low volatilities of these compounds compared with the analogous di-phenols Q--O--H render them of particular value.