Abstract: A method for the production of a highly water absorptive resin comprises the steps of neutralizing acrylic acid with alkali metal hydroxide to form an alkali metal acrylate; mixing the alkali metal acrylate, methacrylic acid, a polymerization initiator, and a first crosslinking agent; suspending and dispersing the mixture in an aqueous medium to for an initial mixture; polymerizing the initial mixture to produce a polymerized intermediate, and separating the moisture from the polymerized intermediate by azeotropic distillation to reduce the water content to 15-35% by weight; adding a second crosslinking agent, said second crosslinking agent having two epoxy radicals; and mixing "Syloid" of silicate, to form a highly water absorptive resin.

Abstract: Novel hardening agents for epoxy compounds which are produced by reaction of polyalkylene, polyether amines having a mean molecular weight of 148 to 5,000 with di and/or polyepoxy compounds to a preliminary product, the ratio of the hydrogen atoms possibly remaining after reaction with monoepoxy compounds and bound to nitrogen and which are capable of reaction with epoxide groups, to epoxide groups of diepoxy compounds or polyepoxy compounds in the range of 1:1.4 to 6, and reaction of this preliminary product with a primary or secondary amine, the employed amine or amine mixture being used in an amount such that the ratio of epoxide groups capable of reaction to hydrogen atoms attached to nitrogen is 1:2 to 10.

Abstract: A suture coating comprising a copolymer having about 60 to 80 weight percent of .beta.-hydroxybutyrate linkages is disclosed. The remaining linkages can be at least .beta.-hydroxyvalerate. In one embodiment, the coating is the copolymer combined with a stearoyl lactylate having the formula: ##STR1## wherein X is at least two, and R is an alkaine-earth metal.

Abstract: The partially fluorinated alkene 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methyl-1-butene is produced by the selective dehydrochlorination of 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-methylbutane in the presence of a suitable base at elevated temperatures. The alkene is converted to 1,2-epoxy-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methylbutane which is polymerizable in the presence of an aluminum coordination catalyst. A copolymer can be made with epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: A dark colored glass fiber insulation having improved moisture tolerance prepared using an aqueous phenolic resole resin composition containing a water soluble borate and cured under alkaline conditions.

Abstract: Bioerodible ortho ester polymers useful for preparing soft form bioerodible pharmaceutical compositions such as ointments, creams, gels and the like are provided. A novel synthetic method for preparing the polymers is provided as well. Synthesis involves a one-step reaction between a monomeric ortho ester and a triol. The pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are useful for the controlled release of therapeutic agents, and may be administered for a variety of purposes, such as for the treatment of deep wounds, including burns, and for the treatment of periodontal disease.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for condensing at least one epoxide on at least one cyclic anhydride of a dicarboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst consisting of at least one titanium nitrogenous complex of the formula (I) Ti(OR.sup.1).sub.m (OR.sup.2 ).sub.n (OR.sup.2 ).sub.p Lg in which R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each independently represents one hydrocarbon group, L represents the remainder of a nitrogenous compound, the sum of m+n+p+q is 4, q is an integer from 1 to 4 and m, n and p are independently each 0 or 1. The process allows for obtaining a perfectly alternating polyester.

Abstract: Curable mixtures comprisinga) at least one epoxy resin containing on average more than one 1,2-epoxy group per molecule,b) at least one cyclic carboxylic anhydride,c) an adduct of a zinc salt of a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxylic acid with a tertiary amine, andd) optionally a filler and/or further conventional modifiers have a long pot life without impairment of the brief curing time at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: Process for yttrium and rare earth compound catalyzed polymerization of lactones and the living polymer compositions of such polymerizations, novel polyester products of such polymerizations and novel yttrium and rare earth metal compounds useful as catalysts in the polymerization of biodegradable polymers for medical uses and flexible films for packaging.

Abstract: A method and agent for improving polyurethane binder compositions are provided. The method comprises introducing into the polyurethane backbone a diol residue including a double bond therein. Preferably the double bond is positioned in a moiety pendant from the polyurethane backbone. In preferred compounds, the double bond-containing residue is introduced in sufficient quantities to provide at least one double bond every 2,000-3,000 molecular weight units of polymer. Preferred agents include acrylate-, methacrylate-, acrylamide-, norbornenyl-, and cyclohexenyl-groups. Preferred compositions, both cured and uncured, are provided. Also, use of such a composition in magnetic recording media is described.

Abstract: Epoxy resins which are relatively low in total bound halide are prepared by concurrently and continuously adding a mixture of (1) a mixture of an epihalohydrin, a compound containing an average of more than one group reactive with a vicinal epoxide group and a solvent and (2) an aqueous or organic solution of an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide; to (3) a mixture of epihalohydrin and a solvent.

Abstract: Adducts of metabrominated monophenols such as 3,5-dibromo-2,4,6-trimethylphenol and multifunctional epoxides such as cresol-formaldehyde epoxy novolac resins are disclosed to be useful in formulations for encapsulating electronic components.

Abstract: Graft polymers which are obtainable from(A) 2-30% by weight of an addition product from alkylene oxide onto an aliphatic alcohol which is at least trihydric having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and(B) 70-98% by weight of a grafted-on monomer mixture of(1) 20 to 50% by weight of an N-substituted or N-unsubstituted acrylamide or methacrylamide and(2) 50 to 80% by weight of an N-vinyl-substituted amide or of a vinyl ester, derived in each case from a saturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acid,where the sums of (A) and (B), and (1) and (2) in each case add up to 100%.These novel graft polymers are suitable as dyeing assistants, particularly as padding assistants or liquor binders when dyeing cellulose fibre materials.

Abstract: Blow moldable polyester compositions are provided. The polyester compositions contain respective amounts of thermoplastic polyester resin, salt of aliphatic polycarboxylic acid and multifunctional epoxide. The compositions exhibit suitable melt strength for blow molding thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel oxirane prepolymer comprising the catalyzed reaction product of an inorganic oxide having at least one hydrolyzable oxygen with a difunctional oxirane oligomer having at least one aromatic moiety and at least one oxirane containing aliphatic moiety, characterized in that substantially all of the hydrolyzable oxygen atoms in said oxide are bonded to said oligomer and there is substantially no bonding between oligomer moieties.The present invention also relates to a novel inorganic oxide containing polymer, said polymer comprising at least three crosslinked prepolymer moieties, each said prepolymer moiety being the reaction product of an inorganic oxide having at least one hydrolyzable oxygen with a difunctional oxirane oligomer having at least one aromatic moiety and at least one oxirane containing aliphatic moiety.

Abstract: An epoxy resin comprising an active hydrogen compound having at least three active hydrogen atoms capable of reacting with an epoxy group in its molecule or butadine or isoprene as a main monomer is modified with an oligomer having on average at least 1.5 equivalents of active hydrogen capable of reacting with an epoxy group in its molecule. An epoxy resin modified with a bisphenol and a compound having active hydrogen or acid anhydride groups capable of reacting with an epoxy group is also provided. A toner containing the epoxy resin as a binder is useful in electrostatography.

Abstract: A method of polymerizing at least one .beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone in the presence of a catalytic amount of isobutylaluminoxane in a solvent for the .beta.-propiolactone(s) and isobutylaluminoxane for a time and at a temperature to produce a poly(.beta.-substituted-.beta.-propiolactone) polyester and the polyesters produced thereby are disclosed.

Abstract: Lignin, or a lignin derived material, which has been significantly demethylated (e.g., the demethylated lignin found in the raffinate produced as a by-product of dimethyl sulfide production which can be carried out using the spent liquor from wood pulping operations) can be isolated by a process wherein an organic solvent is added to a lignin-containing aqueous solution. The organic solvent is typically a polar, and at least a partially water-immiscible substance such as, for example, ethyl acetate. The resulting lignin-containing aqueous solution/organic solvent mixture is acidified to produce a water layer which is discarded and an organic solvent layer which contains the demethylated lignin. Upon its recovery, the demethylated lignin is preferably dried and stored until it is used (along with an alkali, an aldehyde and an adhesive filler) in compounding an adhesive of the type generally used in the manufacture of plywood.

Abstract: Epoxy resins are modified by reaction with a pyridine compound and a Bronsted acid. These modified epoxy resins when cured result in products having improved properties.

Abstract: A coating composition is provided comprising an epoxy resin, a polyacetoacetate, a curing agent for the epoxy resin, and an optional organic solvent. The presence of the polyacetoacetate permits the preparation of a fast-drying high-solids coating formulation.