Abstract: A process for making unsaturated polyesters from 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPD) is disclosed. The process comprises reacting one equivalent of an aromatic diacid with about two equivalents of MPD to produce an ester diol and then reacting one equivalent of the ester diol with from about 1.1 to about 1.9 equivalents of maleic anhydride to produce the polyester. The polyester has a fumarate/maleate ratio of 90/10 or greater.

Abstract: A process for making polyetherester resins is disclosed. A glycol ester of an aromatic diacid such as terephthalic acid is reacted with a polyether and a source of a dicarboxylic acid such as maleic anhydride to produce a polyetherester resin, wherein the aromatic diester content may be conveniently adjusted as desired. The process permits the preparation of unsaturated polyetherester resins with relatively high levels of terephthalate repeating units while avoiding the difficulties associated with the direct use of terephthalic acid in previously known procedures. Such unsaturated polyetheresters are useful for making thermoset resins with excellent mechanical and physical properties. New glycol esters based on 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, and polyester resins and thermosets made from the glycol esters, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A cyclocarbonylation process for making .gamma.-butyrolactones under mild temperature and pressure conditions is disclosed. In the process, an allylic alcohol reacts with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and an amount of a pyridine promoter effective to enhance the selectivity of the process for making the .gamma.-butyrolactone product. The process provides a way of making .gamma.-butyrolactone from allyl alcohol as the only C4 product.

Abstract: A cyclocarbonylation process for making pyrrolidones under mild temperature and pressure conditions is disclosed. In the process, an allylic amine reacts with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and an amount of a pyridine promoter effective to enhance the yield of pyrrolidone obtained in the process compared with the yield obtained in the absence of the promoter. The process can be used to make N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from N-methylallylamine.

Abstract: A process for making thermoplastic copolymer beads from vinyl aromatic monomers and vinyl phosphonic acid derivatives is disclosed. A process for making foamed articles from the beads is also disclosed. The foamed articles are useful for packaging and construction applications.

Abstract: Copolymer compositions based on vinyl aromatic monomers and derivatives of vinyl phosphonic acids are disclosed. The copolymer beads of the invention are advantageously used to make foamed articles useful for packaging and construction applications.