Abstract: Disclosed is a two-step process for the generation of isopropyl t-butyl ether from a crude by-product acetone stream which comprises:a) Hydrogenating said crude acetone over a bulk metal, nickel-rich catalyst to give an isopropanol-rich effluent;b) subjecting said isopropanol-rich intermediate to etherification conditions in the presence of a strong acid catalyst selected from:(1) a cationic resin;(2) a .beta.-zeolite;(3) dealuminized Y-zeolites; and(4) metal-modified .beta.-zeolites.

Abstract: Hydroxy-containing, propylene carbonate insoluble butadiene polymers having an average molecular weight of about 400 to about 25,000 and containing an average of about 2 hydroxyl groups per molecule are prepared by polymerizing butadiene in a homogeneous reaction medium consisting essentially of a propylene carbonate solution of an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide at a temperature within the range of about 100.degree. to about 200.degree. C. for a reaction time within the range of about 1 to about 2 hours to thereby form the butadiene polymer and by recovering the butadiene polymer.

Abstract: An extractive distillation agent consisting essentially of 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxyethylcarbamate, and is fed to an extractive distillation column used for the distillation of propylene oxide contaminated with water to obtain an overhead distillate fraction consisting of essentially anhydrous propylene oxide, and a heavier bottoms distillation fraction containing substantially all of the 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxyethycarbamate, and water introduced into the disillation column.

Abstract: In accordance with the process of the present invention normally liquid, water-soluble poly(oxyethylene/oxypropylene) polyamine products are prepared using an initiator, which may contain oxyethylene groups. In a series of alkoxylation reaction steps the initiator is reacted with predetermined weight percentages of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, said process comprising the steps of:a. Charging a predetermined percentage of initiator to an alkoxylation reaction zone,b. Alkoxylating said initiator therein with predetermined percentages of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to provide an intermediate polyol,c. Propoxylating said intermediate polyol with a predetermined percentage of propylene oxide to provide a normally liquid, water-soluble precursor polyol, andd.

Abstract: Aminated, alkoxylated hydroxyl-terminated polymers are made by a process involving first polymerizing one or more unsaturated hydrocarbons, such as butadiene, to form a liquid polymer. Next, the liquid polymer is provided with terminal hydroxyl groups. Then, the hydroxylated liquid polymer is alkoxylated with one or more alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof, to provide secondary terminal hydroxyl groups. Finally, the alkoxylated liquid polymer is aminated over a transition metal oxide catalyst, such as a combination of nickel oxide/copper oxide/chromium oxide. If the alkoxylated, hydroxyl-terminated liquid polymer is terminated with primary hydroxyl groups, then the amination does not proceed well.

Abstract: Products useful as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, water repellent agents, paint adhesion promoters, etc. are prepared by reacting formaldehyde and a phenol with an alkyl amine containing internal propoxy or propoxy/ethoxy groups to thereby provide a corresponding Mannich condensate having a desired utility. The Mannich condensates may also be reacted with an alkylene oxide feed stock containing ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or 1,2-butylene oxide or a mixture thereof under conventional alkoxylation conditions to thereby provide a corresponding alkoxylated Mannich condensate having a utility which may be the same as or different from the utility of the initial Mannich condensate.

Abstract: An N-acetylglycine is manufactured by reacting paraformaldehyde with an acetamide and carbon monoxide in the present of a cobalt-containing catalyst promoted by a sulfoxide or dinitride compounds. The presence of sulfoxide or dinitrile ligands are essential for the high yield synthesis of N-acetylglycine and good cobalt recovery.

Abstract: Polymer polyols with high polymer or solids content made by the reaction of alkanolamines with polyisocyanates in a dispersing media of polymer polyols created from vinyl monomers in a conventional manner. The equivalents of alkanolamine to equivalents of polyisocyanate ranges from about 1/1 to 5/1 to give novel polymer polyols with solid contents from about 25% to up to 50%. Polyurethane foams made employing the novel polymer polyols of the present invention have higher load bearing properties, and provide a good balance between the load bearing properties and the open cell content of the foam to provide a stable foam, as compared with those employing only conventional polymer polyols.

Abstract: Cyclic and acyclic hydroxyethyl ethylenepolyamines are converted to triethylenediamine when using a catalyst composed of zirconia or titania to which from about 0.5 to about 7 wt. % of phosphorous has been thermally chemically bonded in the form of phosphate linkages.

Abstract: Provided is a novel thioether diester synthetic lubricating oil composition represented by the formula: ##STR1## in which R and R.sub.1 each represent alkyl radicals having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with the total number of carbon atoms in R, R, R.sub.1, and R.sub.1 ranging from about 6 to 20, and n is an integer from 2 to 5.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide and an ionizable, at least sparingly soluble metal salt, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes. 2-Hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes are hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when dimethoxymethane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the dimethoxymethane to provide a reaction product containing alkyl glycolates such as methyl glycolate and ethyl glycolate as principle products of the reaction. The alkyl glycolates are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: The use of methylene azelaic acid having the formula CH.sub.2 .dbd.C--[(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --COOH].sub.2 or an alkali metal salt thereof in glycol and water based automotive antifreeze formulations is described. Unlike natural dicarboxylic acids such as sebacic acid, methylene azelaic acid does not form a precipitate and drop out of solution, rendering the antifreeze unprotected against corrosion. The methylene azelaic acid component should be present in an amount of from 1.5 to 4.5 wt. % based on the glycol component.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and a cobalt initiator, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes and only minimal amounts of the undesired methyl formate by-product. 2-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane is hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane. 2-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane is hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing predominantly linear polyethylenepolyamines from the catalyzed reaction of (1) an ethyleneamine and an alkanolamine, (2) ethyleneamines or (3) an alkanolamine and ammonia. The catalyst employed is a silica-alumina catalyst. An acidic phosphorus cocatalyst may be used in conjunction with the silica-alumina catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of aminopolyols and polyaminopolyols by continuous reductive amination of sugars in aqueous solution is described. Syrups such as corn syrups may be used directly for this process. It has been found that the lower the mol ratio of NH.sub.3 to the sugar, with a ratio of 1 as the lower limit, the higher is the degree of nitrogen incorporation into the sugar. It is essential that the streams of ammonia and aqueous sugar solution be pumped to the reaction zone separately.

Abstract: Polyurethane foams employing vinyl polymer polyols made by polymerizing in situ via a free-radical mechanism one or more vinyl monomers in an epoxy resin-modified polyol are described. Preferably, styrene and acrylonitrile are copolymerized in a polyol made by adding epoxy resin to the alkoxylation of a polyol initiator having 3 to 4 hydroxyl groups. The vinyl polymer polyols of this invention give flexible polyurethane foams with greater load-bearing properties.

Abstract: Vinyl polymer polyols made by polymerizing in situ via a free-radical mechanism one or more vinyl monomers in an epoxy resin-modified polyol are described. Preferably, styrene and acrylonitrile are copolymerized in a polyol made by adding epoxy resin to the alkoxylation of a polyol initiator having 3 to 4 hydroxyl groups. The vinyl polymer polyols of this invention give flexible polyurethane foams with greater load-bearing properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the manufacture of polyols and polyurethanes using thiodialkylene glycols. More particularly, the present invention is directed to the manufacture of rigid polyurethane foam using novel polyols prepared by forming a condensation product of a polyethylene terephthalate with a low molecular weight glycol having a molecular weight of about 500 or less and a thiodialkylene glycol such as thiodiethylene glycol. The present invention is also directed to the use of thiodialkylene glycols as cross linking agents in the preparation of polyurethane foam from condensation products prepared by digesting a polyethylene terephthalate with a polyol having a molecular weight of about 500 or less such as a glycol or a triol.