Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of mercaptopropionic acid esters by reaction of an acrylic acid ester with hydrogen sulfide in the presence of a weakly basic amine as a catalyst, a polyether as a co-catalyst, a polythiodipropionic acid ester as a reactive solvent, and added elemental sulfur.

Abstract: Tris-organophosphite compositions are provided having an improved hydrolytic stability, comprising(1) a tris-organophosphite of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl and aralkyl groups together aggregating at least fourteen carbon atoms up to about sixty carbon atoms; and(2) a long-chain aliphatic amine in an amount to improve the hydrolytic stability of the phosphite and having the formula: ##STR2## wherein: R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; aliphatic (including alkyl and alkenyl) groups having from one to about thirty-six carbon atoms; and hydroxyalkyl having from two to about six carbon atoms; one of R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is an aliphatic group having at least ten carbon atoms, and the remaining of R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected from hydrogen, alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl; and preferably at least one of R.sub.4, R.sub.

Abstract: Tris-organophosphite compositions are provided having an improved hydrolytic stability, comprising(1) a tris-organophosphite of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, alkylaryl and aralkyl groups together aggregating at least fourteen carbon atoms up to about sixty carbon atoms; and(2) a long-chain aliphatic amine in an amount to improve the hydrolytic stability of the phosphite and having the formula: ##STR2## wherein: R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen; aliphatic (including alkyl and alkenyl) groups having from one to about thirty-six carbon atoms; and hydroxyalkyl having from two to about six carbon atoms; one of R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 is an aliphatic group having at least ten carbon atoms, and the remaining of R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are selected from hydrogen, alkyl having from one to four carbon atoms and hydroxyalkyl; and preferably at least one of R.sub.4, R.sub.

Abstract: Solid particulate polyvalent metal carboxylic acid salt compositions particularly useful as polyvinyl chloride resin stabilizers are provided comprising at least one solid polyvalent metal carboxylic acid salt in dusting particulate form and a liquid epoxy fatty acid ester having a viscosity at 25.degree. C. within the range from about 100 to about 2000 cps, in an amount within the range from about 3% to about 20% by weight of the total composition, sufficient to render the particulate salt composition substantially nondusting, while maintaining the salt composition free-flowing, non-caking and non-tacky.