Abstract: Compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C2 alkyl, and m is 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 and compositions of formula (II) wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C4 alkyl, and n is an integer >_0 and wherein the average molar value of n for the total of the compounds of formula (II) in said composition is in the range of (1) to (3) and methods for production thereof.

Abstract: A method of dispersing an insoluble material in an aqueous solution comprising the following steps: (i) providing a formulation comprising at least one insoluble material and at least one dispersant comprising a water soluble agriculturally acceptable derivative of an alternating copolymer or an agriculturally acceptable salt thereof wherein said alternating copolymer comprises at least one residue of a first comonomer and at least one residue of a second comonomer, wherein said first comonomer comprises ?,?-unsaturated oxyacids or anhydrides and said second comonomer comprises olefinic compounds containing one or more polymerizable double bonds; and (ii) dispersing said formulation in an aqueous medium.

Abstract: A novel agricultural formulation includes at least one finely divided solid water-insoluble material and at least one novel dispersant containing a polymer synthesized from first and second comonomers. The first comonomer is an ?,?-unsaturated oxyacid or anhydride, and the second comonomer is an olefin having at least one polymerizable double bond. Also disclosed is a method for dispersing a finely divided solid insoluble material, in particular, an active water-insoluble agrochemical principal, in an aqueous solution; a method for treating a substrate with such a material or principal; and a method of making an agrochemical formulation, where the methods are based on application of the novel dispersant to the preparation of aqueous dispersions of the solid material and agrochemical principal.

Abstract: Active hydrogen containing organic compounds, for example alcohols, thiols, phenols, thiophenols, carboxylic acids, amides and amines, are alkoxylated, for example, ethoxylated, using catalysts comprising a salt of a Group IIa or Group Ia element and an oxyacid of at least one element chosen from Group IVb, Group Vb or Group VIb, for example, lanthanum titanate, barium titanium, barium strontium titanate, yttrium titanate, lanthanum zirconate, barium zirconate, lanthanum hafnate, barium strontium titanate zirconate and neodymium titanate. The catalyst provide narrow distribution of alkoxylation species and efficient reaction rates.

Abstract: A transhydrogenation process for the conversion of alkanes to alkenes with high yields and extended catalyst life between regenerations comprises the pssing of an alkane combined with a suitable hydrogen acceptor over a catalyst bed, subject to the conditions that(a) the pressure is from 0-4 atmospheres (gauge);(b) the hydrogen acceptor is present to the extent of from 5-30% by volume;(c) the temperature of the catalyst is from 400.degree.-600.degree. C.; and(d) the temperature of the catalyst is raised during the process at a rate of from 1-15 deg. C/hr.The catalyst is preferably a chromia on alumina type.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the manufacture of methyl t-butyl ether in which: a hydrocarbon feedstock is cracked to give an ethylene-rich stream; an isobutane-rich stream is separated from C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream; the ethylene-rich stream and the isobutane-rich stream are contacted over a transhydrogenation catalyst to give a mixture comprising ethane and isobutene; the isobutene is reacted with methanol to give methyl t-butyl ether; and the residual C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream is recycled either to the C.sub.4 -hydrocarbon stream or to the cracker and the ethane is recycled to the cracker.It has been found that combining and interconnecting a hydrocarbon cracker, a transhydrogenation reactor and an etherification reactor results in an integrated, economic process for the production of methyl t-butyl ether.