Abstract: Provided are ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyols and polyurethane compositions made by reacting the inventive polyol with an isocyanate. The inventive ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyol is made by co-polymerizing an alkylene oxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride and a hydroxy functional compound in the presence of a double metal cyanide (DMC) complex catalyst such that the polyol has an ultra-low level of unsaturation. The inventive polyols may be used to produce prepolymers, which in turn may be useful in making thin films which in turn may provide such items as medical examination gloves and scientific gloves. The inventive ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyurethane compositions may also find use in or as coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and the like.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, is disclosed. The catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles, support nanoparticles, and a titanium zeolite having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the support nanoparticles to form supported palladium nanoparticles, and the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the titanium zeolite; or the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on a carrier having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst. The catalysts are more active in epoxidation reactions, while demonstrating the same or better selectivity.

Abstract: A catalyst, useful for the direct epoxidation of olefins, is disclosed. The catalyst comprises palladium nanoparticles, support nanoparticles, and a titanium zeolite having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the support nanoparticles to form supported palladium nanoparticles, and the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on the titanium zeolite; or the supported palladium nanoparticles are deposited on a carrier having a particle size of 2 microns or greater. The invention also includes a process for producing an epoxide comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of the catalyst. The catalysts are more active in epoxidation reactions, while demonstrating the same or better selectivity.

Abstract: The invention is a process for epoxidizing an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an alkanoic acid and a catalyst comprising a noble metal and a titanium zeolite, wherein the catalyst has not been reduced prior to epoxidation. This process surprisingly gives significantly improved productivity and reduced formation of unwanted propane compared to processes that do not use the alkanoic acid modifier.

Abstract: Polymer-encapsulated ion-exchange resins are disclosed. The resins are useful in adsorption, catalysis, and other applications. Catalysts comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of an ion-exchange resin and a transition metal are also disclosed. The catalysts are useful in hydrogenation, oxidation, hydroformylation, polymerization, and other valuable processes. Certain of the polymer-encapsulated catalysts enhance the productivity in the process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Titanium or vanadium zeolite catalysts are prepared by reacting a titanium or vanadium compound, a silicon source, a templating agent, and a hydrophobic hydrocarbon liquid polymer. The catalyst is useful in olefin epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the epoxidation of an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite, and a noble metal catalyst comprising a noble metal and an ion-exchange resin. The process is highly productive and selective in making epoxides. A noble metal catalyst comprising a cation-exchanged resin further improves the productivity and/or the selectivity of the process.

Abstract: This invention is a process for oxidizing an organic compound with a hydrogen peroxide solution produced by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. The hydrogen peroxide is produced by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent in the presence of a H2O2-producing catalyst comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of a noble metal and an ion-exchange resin. Polymer encapsulation of the H2O2-producing catalyst improves its productivity in making hydrogen peroxide and is expected to reduce metal loss.

Abstract: A process comprising reacting hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a noble metal, a thiol or thiolate, and a solvent is disclosed. The thiol or thiolate improves the hydrogen peroxide yield. The produced hydrogen peroxide may be used to oxidize organic compounds in the presence of an oxidation catalyst.

Abstract: Catalysts useful for epoxidizing olefins are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a vinylpyridine polymer and a titanium zeolite. Preferably, the vinylpyridine polymer encapsulates the titanium zeolite. The catalysts are easy to prepare and use, they are easy to recover and reuse, and they convert olefins to epoxides in good yields with high selectivity. Surprisingly, ring-opening reactions that form glycol or glycol ether by-products are minimized by using the vinylpyridine polymer-containing catalysts. The catalysts are valuable for making propylene oxide from propylene and hydrogen peroxide. Vinylpyridine polymer-encapsulated transition metals and their use to produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite, a noble metal, and a thiol is disclosed. The catalyst is used in an epoxidation process comprising reacting an olefin, hydrogen, and oxygen. The presence of a thiol in the catalyst reduces the formation of alkanes from the hydrogenation of olefins, and/or improves hydrogen and oxygen selectivities to epoxides.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the epoxidation of an olefin with hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a transition metal zeolite and a polymer-encapsulated noble metal catalyst. The noble metal catalyst comprises a noble metal and an ion-exchange resin. The process using the polymer-encapsulated noble metal catalyst gives higher epoxide productivity than a process that uses a noble metal catalyst which is not encapsulated by a polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a noble metal and a cationic polymer comprising a halogen-containing anion is disclosed. The cationic polymer improves hydrogen peroxide yield, and it can be easily recycled.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of a noble metal and a cationic polymer comprising a halogen-containing anion is disclosed. The cationic polymer improves hydrogen peroxide yield, and it can be easily recycled.

Abstract: Catalysts useful for epoxidizing olefins are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a vinylpyridine polymer and a titanium zeolite. Preferably, the vinylpyridine polymer encapsulates the titanium zeolite. The catalysts are easy to prepare and use, they are easy to recover and reuse, and they convert olefins to epoxides in good yields with high selectivity. Surprisingly, ring-opening reactions that form glycol or glycol ether by-products are minimized by using the vinylpyridine polymer-containing catalysts. The catalysts are valuable for making propylene oxide from propylene and hydrogen peroxide. Vinylpyridine polymer-encapsulated transition metals and their use to produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen is also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided are ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyols and polyurethane compositions made by reacting the inventive polyol with an isocyanate. The inventive ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyol is made by co-polymerizing an alkylene oxide, an unsaturated carboxylic acid or anhydride and a hydroxy functional compound in the presence of a double metal cyamide (DMC) complex catalyst such that the polyol has an ultra-low level of unsaturation. The inventive polyols may be used to produce prepolymers, which in turn may be useful in making thin films which in turn may provide such items as medical examination gloves and scientific gloves. The inventive ultraviolet (UV)-curable polyurethane compositions may also find use in or as coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers and the like.

Abstract: Titanium or vanadium zeolite catalysts are prepared by reacting a titanium or vanadium compound, a silicon source, a templating agent, a hydrocarbon, and a surfactant at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a molecular sieve. The catalyst is useful in olefin epoxidation with hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Catalysts useful for epoxidizing olefins are disclosed. The catalysts comprise a vinylpyridine polymer and a titanium zeolite. Preferably, the vinylpyridine polymer encapsulates the titanium zeolite. The catalysts are easy to prepare and use, they are easy to recover and reuse, and they convert olefins to epoxides in good yields with high selectivity. Surprisingly, ring-opening reactions that form glycol or glycol ether by-products are minimized by using the vinylpyridine polymer-containing catalysts. The catalysts are valuable for making propylene oxide from propylene and hydrogen peroxide. Vinylpyridine polymer-encapsulated transition metals and their use to produce hydrogen peroxide from hydrogen and oxygen is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is a process for oxidizing an organic compound with a hydrogen peroxide solution produced by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst. The hydrogen peroxide is produced by reacting hydrogen and oxygen in a solvent in the presence of a H2O2-producing catalyst comprising a polymer-encapsulated combination of a noble metal and an ion-exchange resin. Polymer encapsulation of the H2O2-producing catalyst improves its productivity in making hydrogen peroxide and is expected to reduce metal loss.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to polyols prepared in the presence of double metal cyanide catalysts (“DMC”) which are prepared by combining i) at least one metal salt; ii) at least one metal cyanide salt; iii) at least one organic complexing ligand; iv) at least one alkali metal salt; and, optionally, v) at least one functionalized polymer under conditions sufficient to form a catalyst; and adding a sufficient amount of the at least one alkali metal salt to the catalyst so formed in an amount such that the catalyst includes the at least one alkali metal salt in an amount of from about 0.4 to about 6 wt. % based on the total weight of the catalyst. The polyols produced by the process of the present invention have reduced levels of high molecular weight tail.