Abstract: The phloroglucinolic acetaldehyde resin includes multiple phloroglucinolic units defined by formula (I) wherein the number of phloroglucinolic unit is an integer from 2 to 20, and at least one of R1, R2, and R3 combines with a second phloroglucinolic unit to form a methyl-substituted methylene bridge, where in the second and third ones of R1, R2 and R3 is a hydrogen atom or combines with another phloroglucinolic unit to form another methyl-substituted methylene bridge, with the proviso that, for any terminal unit of formula (I), any two of R1, R2 and R3 are a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A solid phloroglucinolic resin comprises reacting a phloroglucinolic compound and a ketone in the presence of an acid catalyst. The solid phloroglucinolic resin formed includes multiple phloroglucinolic units defined by formula (I) wherein at least one of R1, R2, and R3 combines with a second phloroglucinolic unit to form a di-substituted methylene bridge, wherein the second one of R1, R2, and R3 is a hydrogen atom or combines with a third phloroglucinolic unit to form another di-substituted methylene bridge, and wherein the third one of R1, R2 and R3 is a hydrogen atom.

Abstract: A resorcinolic novolac resin composition comprising the reaction product of (i) an aldehyde or ketone, and (ii) aralkyl-substituted resorcinol and resorcinol, where the moles of the aralkyl-substituted resorcinol to the total moles of the resorcinol and aralkyl-substituted resorcinol is 0.01:1 to 0.4:1.

Abstract: A resorcinolic novolac resin composition comprising the reaction product of (i) an aldehyde or ketone, and (ii) aralkyl-substituted resorcinol and resorcinol, where the moles of the aralkyl-substituted resorcinol to the total moles of the resorcinol and aralkyl-substituted resorcinol is 0.01:1 to 0.4:1.

Abstract: A modified phenolic novolak resin is prepared by reacting a phenolic compound (e.g., resorcinol) with an aliphatic polyol. The reaction mixture further reacts with a formaldehyde to produce a modified phenolic novolak resin. The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of an acid or a base catalyst. The resulting resin is characterized by a relatively low level of free resorcinol; and rubber compounds containing the resin exhibit low fuming, lower Mooney viscosity (which means better processing), better dynamic stiffness properties (G?), and/or good tear properties. Therefore, the resulting resin can be used as a methylene acceptor compound in a vulcanizable rubber composition.

Abstract: A silane-modified phenolic resin is prepared by reacting a phenolic compound (e.g., resorcinol) with an aldehyde to produce a phenolic novolak resin. The phenolic novolak resin is further reacted with at least one silane compound to produce the silane-modified phenolic resin. The reaction is typically carried out in the presence of an acid or base catalyst. The resulting resin has a lower softening point and can be used as a methylene acceptor compound in a vulcanizable rubber composition.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing lactic acid, esters of lactic acid, acrylic acid, and esters of acrylic acid, primarily from fermentable carbohydrate materials. An overall process for producing esters of acrylic acid comprises: a) fermenting carbohydrate material with a lactic-acid-forming organism in the presence of NH.sub.3 to produce ammonium lactate; b) combining the ammonium lactate with an alcohol; c) combining the ammonium lactate and alcohol with an effective catalyzing amount of gaseous CO.sub.2 to catalytically esterify the ammonium lactate and alcohol into a lactic acid ester containing solution; d) recovering purified lactic acid ester; and e) vaporizing the lactic acid ester and passing it through a solid catalyst bed comprised of an effective catalyzing amount of crystalline hydrated and partially calcined calcium sulfate to catalytically convert lactic acid ester into an acrylic acid ester. Step "d" would be useful in a process for making low-cost, purified lactic acid.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for producing lactic acid, esters of lactic acid, acrylic acid, and esters of acrylic acid, primarily from fermentable carbohydrate materials. An overall process for producing esters of acrylic acid comprises: a) fermenting carbohydrate material with a lactic-acid-forming organism in the presence of NH.sub.3 to produce ammonium lactate; b) combining the ammonium lactate with an alcohol; c) combining the ammonium lactate and alcohol with an effective catalyzing amount of gaseous CO.sub.2 to catalytically esterify the ammonium lactate and alcohol into a lactic acid ester containing solution; d) recovering purified lactic acid ester; and e) vaporizing the lactic acid ester and passing it through a solid catalyst bed comprised of an effective catalyzing amount of crystalline hydrated and partially calcined calcium sulfate to catalytically convert lactic acid ester into an acrylic acid ester. Step "d" would be useful in a process for making low-cost, purified lactic acid.

Abstract: A glass melting system involving preheating, precalcining, and prefluxing of batch materials prior to injection into a glass furnace. The precursors are heated by convection rather than by radiation in present furnaces. Upon injection into the furnace, batch materials are intimately coated with molten flux so as to undergo or at least begin the process of dissolution reaction prior to entering the melt pool.