Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the preparation of norbornene and substituted norbornene compounds via a Diels-Alder reaction, in which a cyclic diene is reacted with an olefinic compound in order to prepare a norbornene compound. According to the invention a cyclic diene is gradually added to react with an olefinic compound, in order to keep the concentration of the cyclic diene in the reaction mixture as low as possible during the reaction. It is possible to obtain a very pure product, high yield, short reaction time and high concentrations of the exo diastereomer with the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of latexes with hollow polymer particles useful as opacifying agents. The process comprises the preparation of hollow polymer particle latex by emulsion copolymerization with water soluble initiator and anionic surfactant as follows: a) preparation of seed latex of copolymer containing methyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid; b) preparation of latex of highly carboxylated copolymer containing methyl methacrylate and a cross-linking agent and optionally a vinyl aromatic compound; c) using highly carboxylated latex synthesized at stage b) in the preparation of the intermediate shell comprising a copolymer of methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid ester, a cross-linking agent and optionally vinyl aromatic compound, said intermediate shell copolymer having a glass transition temperature below 80° C.

Abstract: The invention is related to a process for making 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene from p-xylene and 1- or 2-butene or butadiene via 1-(p-tolyl)-2-methylbutane or 1-(p-tolyl)-2-methylbutane. 2,6-dimethylnaphthalene can be used for making polyethylenenaphthalate.

Abstract: The invention relates to alkene-substituted cyclic carboxylic acid anhydrides which are formed from the reaction of a cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride, including succinic anhydride, and an olefin blend. The olefin blend is made up of internal linear and branched olefins and linear and/or branched .alpha.-olefins, in which blend the olefins contain 13-25 carbon atoms. The alkene-substituted cyclic carboxylic acid anhydride can be used for the preparation of an ASA sizing agent suitable for paper sizing.

Abstract: The object of the invention is a catalyst system for selective alkylation of toluene with propylene. The catalyst system contains metallic sodium on a K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 carrier and transition metal oxide, which advantageously is CeO.sub.2, Dy.sub.2 O.sub.3 or Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, as promoter. The invention also concerns a procedure for selective alkylation of toluene with propylene in the presence of a catalyst system.

Abstract: The invention concerns a procedure for manufacturing short-chain linear .alpha.-olefines, in particular 1-butylene, selectively from ethylene. A nickel chelate in which the ligand is diphenyl (2-carboxymethyl) phosphine, diphenyl (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine, or an alkali metal salt of these, or an alkali metal salt of diphenyl (2-hydroxyethyl) phosphine, with or without a promoter, is used for a catalyst.