Abstract: A method of preparing a polystyrene blend that includes combining a first polystyrene composition having a first melt flow index with a second polystyrene composition having a second melt flow index and forming a polystyrene blend, the second melt flow index being at least 2 dg/min higher that the first melt flow index. The polystyrene blend has an observed tensile strength value greater than 3% above the expected tensile strength value. The second polystyrene composition can include a recycled polystyrene material, which can include expanded polystyrene. An alternate method of preparing the polystyrene blend includes combining a polystyrene composition with a styrene monomer to form a reaction mixture, polymerizing the reaction mixture and obtaining a polystyrene blend, where the polystyrene containing composition has a melt flow index at least 2 dg/min higher than the melt flow index of the styrene monomer after it has been polymerized.

Abstract: A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The reactor surfaces that contact the reactants and products do not provide a significant detrimental catalyzing effect. In an embodiment the reactor contains an inert lining or a portion of the reactor inner surface is treated to reduce the detrimental catalytic effects. In an embodiment the reactor contains a lining that includes an oxidative catalyst.

Abstract: Method employing a supported metallocene catalyst composition in the production of an isotactic ethylene propylene co-polymer. The composition comprises a metallocene component supported on a particulate silica support having average particle size of 10-40 microns, a pore volume of 1.3-1.6 ml/g, a surface area of 200-400 m2/g. An alkylalumoxane cocatalyst component is incorporated on the support. The isospecific metallocene is characterized by the formula: B(CpRaRb)(FlR?2)MQn??(1) or by the formula: B?(Cp?R?aR?b)(Fl?)M?Q?n.??(2) In the formulas Cp and Cp? are substituted cyclopentadienyl groups, Fl and Fl? are fluorenyl groups, and B and B? are structural bridges. Ra are substituents at the 2 and 7 positions, Ra and R?a are substituents distal to the bridge, and Rb and R?b are proximal to the bridge. M and M? are transition metals, Q? is a halogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group; and n? is an integer of from 0-4.