Abstract: An antimicrobial plastic composition suitable for any non-foamed application includes an antimicrobial compound uniformly dispersed in a plastic. The antimicrobial compound is selected from the group consisting of silanol quaternary ammonium compounds and salts thereof (SQACs) having a hydroxyl or hydrolyzable silane group capable of undergoing a condensation polymerization reaction to form a homo or copolymer, and/or forming a covalent bond with the plastic and/or other components in the plastic composition. Also described are methods for preparing an antimicrobial plastic composition including: (i) uniformly dispersing an antimicrobial compound in a plastic; (ii) forming a shaped article; and (iii) optionally exposing the shaped article obtained in (ii) to moisture or steam.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkyl glyceryl sulfonate includes fractionally distilling an alkyl glyceryl epoxide mixture to afford alkyl glyceryl epoxide of formula IV: where R is a C4-12 alkyl, in at least about 98.0% purity by weight with respect to epoxidized compounds, the epoxidized compounds comprising the alkyl glyceryl epoxide of formula IV, dimer alkyl glyceryl epoxide of formula V, and trimer alkyl glyceryl epoxide of formula VI: where R is a C4-12 alkyl; and reacting the at least about 98.0% alkyl glyceryl epoxide of formula IV with a mixture of an alkali bisulfite and an alkali sulfite in a sulfonation reaction at a temperature, to afford the alkyl glyceryl sulfonate of formula I: where R is a C4-12 alkyl and M is an alkali metal.

Abstract: An improved and novel process for the preparation of an aqueous 3-chloro-2-sulfopropionic acid reagent involves the formation of a reaction mixture by adding acrylic acid to chlorosulfonic acid maintained at about 45.degree. to 130.degree. C., maintaining the mixture at about 60.degree.-130.degree. C. for about 2-6 hours, and adding sufficient water to the resulting anhydrous reagent to decompose the unreacted chlorosulfonic acid and dilute the reagent to a solids content of about 50-95%, preferably 70-90%. The reagent may be vacuum stripped to remove residual hydrochloric acid. Crystalline 3-chloro-2-sulfopropionic acid may be isolated from the aqueous reagent at a solids content above 80% and below 95%, preferably at 85%.

Abstract: An improved and novel process for the preparation of an aqueous 3-chloro-2-sulfopropionic acid reagent involves the formation of a reaction mixture by adding acrylic acid to chlorosulfonic acid maintained at about 45.degree. to 130.degree. C., maintaining the mixture at about 60.degree.-130.degree. C. for about 2-6 hours, and adding sufficient water to the resulting anhydrous reagent to decompose the unreacted chlorosulfonic acid and dilute the reagent to a solids content of about 50-95%, preferably 70-90%. The reagent may be vacuum stripped to remove residual hydrochloric acid. Crystalline 3-chloro-2-sulfopropionic acid may be isolated from the aqueous reagent at a solids content above 80% and below 95%, preferably at 85%.