Abstract: The present invention improves the effectiveness of the oxygen scavenging composition and maintains an excellent balance in the color properties of the polymer. The present invention relates to an improved oxygen scavenging PET based copolymer comprising from about 10 to about 120 ppm cobalt based on the PET polymer, and from about 15 to about 150 ppm zinc based on the PET polymer. The present invention also comprises a process for preparing a PET based oxygen scavenging copolymer, comprising the steps of: a) polymerizing a PET based polymer; b) adding Zn, Co, and an oxygen scavenging compound during said polymerizing step; c) copolymerizing said oxygen scavenging compound with said PET based polymer to form a copolymer; and d) extruding said copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention improves the effectiveness of the oxygen scavenging composition and maintains an excellent balance in the color properties of the polymer. The present invention relates to an improved oxygen scavenging PET based copolymer comprising from about 10 to about 120 ppm cobalt based on the PET polymer, and from about 15 to about 150 ppm zinc based on the PET polymer.

Abstract: A substituted diaryl compound or a mixture of substituted diaryl compounds, such as dimethylbiaryl compounds are isomerized by treatment with a strong acid or mixtures of strong acids in the absence of any additional catalyst. The strong acid or mixture of acids has a Hammett acidity of less than about −12.6. The isomerization reaction conditions such as reaction temperature, amount of acid, and amount of solvent can be adjusted to selectively produce desired isomers in high yields. One or more desired isomers may be produced in high yields by isomerization of substituted diaryl compounds and selectively removing one or more desired isomers from the resulting equilibrium mixture of isomers. The isomer mixture may be re-isomerized subsequent to selective removal of the desired isomer to produce additional amounts of desired isomer.

Abstract: Copolyesters comprising monomeric units derived from norbornane compounds such as 2,3-norbornane dicarboxylic acid anhydride or dicarboxylate exhibit amorphous characteristics. Exemplary copolymers are obtained by polycondensation of ethylene glycol, terephthalic acid, and up to about 40 mole % cis-norbornane-endo-2,3-dicarboxylic acid anhydride or dimethyl trans-norbornane 2,3-dicarboxylate or mixtures thereof, based upon the total moles of ester forming components of the polyester. The copolymers containing monomeric units derived from norbornane dicarboxylic acid or dicarboxylate can be obtained by melt polymerization and exhibit no or very low crystallinity. The copolyesters may be used to produce transparent, optically clear amorphous articles of manufacture such as containers, extruded objects, and packaging by melt processing techniques such as injection molding, blow molding, extrusion or thermoforming.

Abstract: The esterification of a carboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, such as terephthalic acid, with ethylene oxide is conducted in the presence of a supercritical or near critical fluid with an esterification catalyst to form a monoester such as 2-hydroxyethylterephthalate (MHET). The monoester can be easily removed from the involatile terephthalic acid/catalyst bed by continuous extraction with supercritical fluid before subsequent reaction to the diester occurs. The esterification catalyst, such as quaternary ammonium salts, are at least substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid and capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. The process is highly selective to formation of monoesters, and economical. The process can be modified for production of bis-esters or higher esters. The monoesters are polymerizable and can be used as monomers in the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A catalytic process for production of biphenyl and its derivatives by coupling of substituted or unsubstituted monoaryl compounds in the presence of a catalytic system comprising at least one Pd (II) compound and a strong acid or a mixture of acids. The process provides high conversions and high selectivity under mild temperature conditions and short reaction times. The strong acid or mixture of acids has a Hammett acidity of less than about -10, and contains a predominant amount of counterions which form a weak ligand complex with palladium (II). The method is highly selective to formation of desired biaryl isomers, such as 4,4'-isomers, and allows control of the relative amounts of isomers of biaryl compounds and substituted monoaryl compounds in the final product.

Abstract: A novel process to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) using a specific catalyst stabilizer system is described. The catalyst stabilizer system is specific for producing PET wherein the polycondensation catalyst is a titanium and the stabilizer possesses an irreversible oxidation potential of at least +2.0 volts versus SCE. The novel process results in PET having acceptable color and low acetaldehyde content.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic aldehydes by carbonylation of an arene in the presence of triflic acid catalyst is described by reacting an arene, such as toluene, with carbon monoxide in the presence of triflic acid (as a catalyst), for a reaction time less than 90 minutes, at a carbon monoxide partial pressure of about 700-2000 psig, at a temperature of from about 0-50.degree. C. to produce an aromatic aldehyde such as tolualdehyde and by-products, the by-products being less than 5% by weight based on the total reaction products.The mole ratio of triflic acid to arene is between about 0.8 to 20, with the reaction having an isomer selectivity greater than 95% by weight for the para isomer aldehyde, and showing substantially no meta isomer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the carbonylation of an arylene to an arylaldehyde (e.g., toluene to tolualdehyde) in the presence of a solid acid catalyst. The process for making tolualdehyde comprises carbonylating toluene in the presence of either carbon monoxide or a source of carbon monoxide and in contact with a solid acid catalyst. The reaction is carried out at a temperature ranging from -40.degree. to 200.degree. C., and at a pressure ranging from 20-4000 psig.