Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing metal halates to metal halides, the process comprising reacting a metal halate with a reducing agent in an aqueous alkaline reaction medium having a pH above about 7, wherein the amount of reducing agent is sufficient to reduce substantially all of the metal halate to metal halide.

Abstract: A process for producing a mixture of brominated diphenyl oxides with an average bromine number of 7.0 to 7.8 is improved by the utilization of a multi-step, multi-catalyst procedure. The process uses a zirconium catalyst in the first reaction and an iron catalyst in the second reaction to yield a whiter flame retardant product having less tendency to discolor plastic resins.

Abstract: The quality of a product predominant in tetrabromobisphenol-A is enhanced by contacting the product with a quality enhancing amount of treated water and heat treating the product for a period of time and at a temperature which are sufficient to obtain a TBBPA predominant product having less than about 20 ppm of ionic impurities.

Abstract: This invention relates to a white or at least near white flame retardant product which is predominant in decarbromodiphenylalkane, and which product contains a minor amount of impurities; to a process for preparation of the flame retardant product; to a process for the removal of excess bromine from the product by use of a treatment solution and elevated temperature; and to macromolecular materials utilizing the product as a flame retardant.

Abstract: This invention concerns the decolorizing and/or deacidifying of methyl bromide materials by contacting same with zinc.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity by adding a methanol-bromine solution to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution with vigorous agitation. Use of the bromine-methanol solution reduces the amount of by-products compared to the use of liquid bromine feed to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution. The process is readily adapted to large scale equipment by circulating the reaction mixture from the reaction vessel through an external closed loop which includes an impingement mixer. The bromine-methanol feed is pumped at the proper rate and ratio into the impingement mixture whereby it impinges with the circulating reaction mixture. The resultant bromination mixture is then returned to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process for preparing partially brominated non-condensed ring polyaromatic product. The process comprises forming a reaction mass by adding a substantially stoichiometric amount of Br.sub.2 to a mixture comprising a non-condensed ring polyaromatic, a solvent selected from a group consisting of methylene dibromide, methylene dichloride and mixtures thereof, and a catalyst selected from the group consisting of zirconium halide, iron, ferric chloride and mixtures thereof, the reaction mass being maintained at a temperature within the range of from about 10.degree. to about 50.degree. C. during at least substantially all of the addition; refluxing the reaction mass after the addition is completed or at least nearly completed; and recovering from the reaction mass the partially brominated non-condensed ring polyaromatic product.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity and increased yield by adding a methanol-bromine solution to a methanol bisphenol-A solution with vigorous agitation. The amount of methanol in the reaction vessel is adjusted to yield a ratio of tetrabromobisphenol-A to methanol when the reaction is substantially complete that provides a lower amount of Hbr impurity in the tetrabromobisphenol-A product. An increased recovery of tetrabromobisphenol-A product is achieved by adjusting the water added to the reaction vessel when the bromination reaction is essentially complete.

Abstract: 3,5-Di(methylthio)-2,6-diaminotoluene is a novel compound which, alone or in admixture with 3,5-di(methylthio)-2,4-diaminotoluene, is particularly useful as a chain extender in the preparation of polyurethanes.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity by adding a methanol-bromine solution to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution with vigorous agitation. Use of the bromine-methanol solution reduces the amount of by-products compared to the use of liquid bromine feed to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution. The process is readily adapted to large scale equipment by circulating the reaction mixture from the reaction vessel through an external closed loop which includes an impingement mixer. The bromine-methanol feed is pumped at the proper rate and ratio into the impingement mixture whereby it impinges with the circulating reaction mixture. The resultant bromination mixture is then returned to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: Novel poly(hydrocarbylthio)anilines are 2,4,6-trisubstituted anilines wherein the substituents in at least two of the ortho and para positions are hydrocarbylthio substituents, any other p-substituent is hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyloxy, any other ar-substituents are chloro, fluoro, hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy, and/or hydrocarbylthio, and any N-substituents are hydrocarbyl.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity by adding a methanol-bromine solution to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution with vigorous agitation. Use of the bromine-methanol solution reduces the amount of by-products compared to the use of liquid bromine feed to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution. The process is readily adapted to large scale equipment by circulating the reaction mixture from the reaction vessel through an external closed loop which includes an impingement mixer. The bromine-methanol feed is pumped at the proper rate and ratio into the impingement mixture whereby it impinges with the circulating reaction mixture. The resultant bromination mixture is then returned to the reaction vessel.

Abstract: The process comprises: (a) initiating a feed of molten diphenyl oxide to a substantially anhydrous mixture of methylene dibromide solvent, elemental bromine (Br.sub.2) and an aluminum trihalide catalyst at a temperature between about 10.degree. and about 30.degree. C.; (b) heating the reaction mixture to about 50.degree.-60.degree. C., and while maintaining the temperature at about 50.degree.-60.degree. C., continuing the feed of molten diphenyl oxide until the total amount fed is equivalent to (i) about 0.064 to about 0.077 mole per mole of elemental bromine (Br.sub.2) employed in the reaction, and (ii) about 0.2 to about 10 parts by weight per part by weight of methylene dibromide employed in the reaction; (c) steam distilling the methylene dibromide solvent and the residual bromine from the reaction mixture; (d) recovering decabromodiphenyl oxide from the distilland; and (e) drying the methylene dibromide and bromine distillate to render them suitable for reuse in the process.

Abstract: 3,5-Di(methylthio)-2,4-diaminotoluene is a novel compound which is particularly useful as a chain extender in the preparation of polyurethanes.

Abstract: A process for making a dry metal halide salt which will not form an insoluble flocculent material upon dissolving in water in which an initial aqueous solution of a metal halide salt is prepared and a member selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, ammonium bromide, borate anion producing compounds and mixtures thereof is added. Water is then evaporated from the initial aqueous solution and a dry metal halide salt is obtained. Upon dissolving this dry metal halide salt in water a clear, colorless solution results which does not contain an insoluble flocculent material. Alternatively, the member compound may be added to the dry metal halide salt, before it is dissolved in water or the member compound may be added to the water which is used to dissolve the dry metal halide salt.

Abstract: A process for partially brominating non-condensing ring aromatics (e.g. diphenyl ether) in the absence of a solvent by adding the polyaromatic to a stoichiometric excess of liquid bromine containing a zirconium halide catalyst. Product containing three bromine atoms per benzene ring (e.g., hexabromodiphenyl ether) is formed in high selectivity by keeping the reaction mixture below a threshold temperature at which higher bromine substitution occurs.

Abstract: A process for producing silane by reacting a silicon halide with highly reactive magnesium and a cyclic process for producing silane by reacting magnesium hydride with a silicon halide, reacting the magnesium halide as formed with an alkali metal to recover elemental magnesium, and pressure hydrogenating said magnesium to form magnesium hydride and repeat the cycle. A highly reactive magnesium hydride is formed by the homogeneously catalyzed pressure hydrogenation of magnesium, preferably using an activated transition metal catalyst such as TiCl.sub.4 and a polycyclic organic compound such as anthracene. The highly activated magnesium hydride is thereafter used for reaction with silicon halide to produce silane.

Abstract: A process for partially brominating polyphenylene ether (e.g. diphenly ether) in the absence of a solvent by adding the polyphenylene ether to a stoichiometric excess of liquid bromine containing a zirconium halide catalyst.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity by contacting a solution of bisphenol-A dissolved in a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkanol with gaseous bromine.

Abstract: Tetrabromobisphenol-A is made in high purity by adding a methanol-bromine solution to a methanol-bisphenol-A solution with vigorous agitation. Use of the bromine-methanol solution reduces the amount of by-products compared to use of liquid bromine feed.