Abstract: Provided is a one-pot process for preparing propionic acid, which comprises (i) treating ethylene with a C1-C6 alkanol, water, and carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising the reaction product of (a) a Group 8 to 10 transition metal compound such as a palladium or ruthenium compound; and (b) an activating anion, at elevated temperature and pressure. The process also provides a facile, continuous process for the preparation of propionic acid via the alkoxycarbonylation of ethylene at elevated temperature and pressure followed by hydrolysis, in one reaction vessel.

Abstract: An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to ?100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the conversion of waste plastics into various useful downstream recycle-content products. More particularly, the present system and method involves integrating a pyrolysis facility with a cracker facility by introducing at least a stream of r-pyrolysis gas into the cracker facility. In the cracker facility, the r-pyrolysis gas may be separated to form one or more recycle content products, and can enhance the operation of the facility.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the conversion of waste plastics into various useful downstream recycle-content products. More particularly, the present system and method involves integrating a pyrolysis facility with a cracker facility by introducing at least a stream of r-pyrolysis gas into the cracker facility, in the cracker facility, the r-pyrolysis gas may be separated to form one or more recycle content products, and can enhance the operation of the facility.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for the conversion of waste plastics into various useful downstream recycle-content products. More particularly, the present system and method involves integrating a pyrolysis facility with a cracker facility by introducing at least a stream of r-pyrolysis gas into the cracker facility. In the cracker facility, the r-pyrolysis gas may be separated to form one or more recycle content products, and can enhance the operation of the facility.

Abstract: A pyrolysis method and system are provided that may utilize a recycled plastic feedstock that comprises various types of waste plastics or a feedstock that comprises various types of waste plastics and at least one crude post-industrial liquid waste. The disclosed pyrolysis method and system may be configured to convert various types of waste plastics, including post-customer and post-industrial wastes, and/or crude post-industrial liquid wastes into useful pyrolysis oils.

Abstract: A pyrolysis method and system are provided that utilizes a multistage dehalogenation method to effectively remove halogen-containing compounds that are present in an initial recycled plastic feedstock. More particularly, the multistage dehalogenation system and process may involve physical sorting the plastic feedstock, melting and separating the feedstock, and subjecting the feedstock a two-stage pyrolysis with intermediate HCl removal.

Abstract: A pyrolysis method and system are provided that enhances the production of C3 and C4 alkanes in the resulting pyrolysis effluent. More particularly, the disclosed pyrolysis method and system may be configured to enhance the production of C3 and C4 alkanes due to the use of certain pyrolysis catalysts and more intense pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of glycol ether aryl ester plasticizers as viscosity reducing agents in plastisols comprising di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate, 1,2-cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid diisononyl ester, or diisononyl phthalate as the primary plasticizer. The glycol ether aryl ester plasticizers improve viscosity and viscosity stability while maintaining or improving plastisol properties such as Shore A Hardness and fusion time.

Abstract: Processes are disclosed for preparing carboxylic acids from organic esters, the processes comprising contacting an ester with water in the presence of an acid catalyst and a homogenizing solvent at conditions effective to form a carboxylic acid. The homogenizing solvent is present in an amount sufficient to form a single-phase reaction mixture comprising the ester, water, and homogenizing solvent. The homogenizing solvent may be selected from acetonitrile, dimethyl sulfoxide, and 1,4-dioxane.

Abstract: An efficient process useful for the self-condensation of aliphatic aldehydes is provided, catalyzed by dialkylammonium carboxylate salts. In particular, the invention provides a facile method for the preparation of 2-ethyl hexenal via the self-condensation of butyraldehyde using various dialkylammonium carboxylates, e.g., diisopropylammonium acetate or dimethylammonium acetate, as catalyst. Additionally, residual nitrogen arising from the catalyst can be reduced to ?100 ppm levels in the product via a simple washing procedure. The invention provides a process for preparing alkenals under conditions which limit the formation of undesired impurities and high-boiling oligomeric substances.

Abstract: A pyrolysis method and system are provided that enhances the production of alkanes and minimizes the production of aromatics in the resulting pyrolysis oil. More particularly, the disclosed pyrolysis method and system may be configured to enhance the production of alkanes due to the use of certain pyrolysis catalysts and more intense pyrolysis conditions.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of formula:

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The invention further provides surfactants made from the branched trialkylamine intermediates, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides branched trialkylamine oxides with improved properties. The trialkylamine oxides of the invention produced from branched trialkylamines, in one embodiment, can be made using certain branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention also provides an trialkylamine oxide having the formula: wherein R5, R6 and R7 are independently at least one of C3H7, C2H5, CH3, or H, or mixtures thereof; and wherein R5 and R6 are not H at the same time. In one embodiment, the trialkylamine oxides of the invention can be useful in making various products, for example, as surfactants.

Abstract: The invention provides branched hydrophobes for the production of surfactants with improved properties over linear hydrophobes. The invention also provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes. The invention additionally provides branched C10-12 enals and aldehydes that are oxidized to branched fatty acids or hydrogenated to branched fatty alcohols and further derivatized to surfactants, through ethoxylation or esterification and other or subsequent reactions. The enals and aldehydes are useful in making branched trialkylamine intermediates useful in making certain surfactants, including amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants. The surfactants which can be produced from the trialkylamine intermediates include the quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention. The quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention are also useful in making the branched enals and/or aldehydes useful in the invention.

Abstract: The oxidation of isobutyraldehyde produces isobutyric acid and byproducts, such as isopropyl formate. A process of reducing the isopropyl formate byproduct and other byproducts in the oxidation of isobutyraldehyde is described. The process uses a carbonyl compound, such as acetone, to reduce byproduct levels in the resulting product. Process for use of static mixers in oxidation reactions of aldehydes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of a coalescent and non-ionic surfactant blend additive for use in water-based architectural coating formulations. The dual-function blend is produced by reacting 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate with ethylene oxide in the presence of a basic catalyst and separating the desired ethoxylated coalescent and non-ionic surfactant blend from the reaction product.

Abstract: The invention is comprised of a coalescent and non-ionic surfactant blend additive for use in water-based architectural coating formulations. The dual-function blend is produced by reacting 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate with ethylene oxide in the presence of a basic catalyst and separating the desired ethoxylated coalescent and non-ionic surfactant blend from the reaction product.