Abstract: Application of a water-soluble salt of chitosan to the foliage of growing plants increases the yield of vegetables, tubers, cereal grains, fruits and blossoms. Plants so treated are healthier, sturdier, more resistant to drought and many varieties enjoy an extended period of production. The plants may be effectively and conveniently treated by spraying the foliage with a solution containing 0.01-1.5% wt. chitosan salt using conventional agricultural equipment and techniques.

Abstract: Application of an aqueous solution containing a chitosan salt and oligomers of chitosan to the foliage of growing plants increases the yield of vegetables, tubers, cereal grains, fruits, and blossoms.

Abstract: Process and composition for treating aqueous media to remove impurities using chitosan, polysilicic acid and/or poly aluminosilicate, ferric compound and clay.

Abstract: N-Halochitosans which are terpolymers containing 1 to 35% of 2-deoxy-2-acetaminodoglucose monomeric units, 1 to 90% of 2-deoxy-2-haloaminoglucose monomeric units, and 8-98% of 2-deoxy-2-haloaminoglucose monomeric units wherein the halogen is chlorine or bromine and their preparation is disclosed. The preferred preparation is by treatment of an aqueous solution of a chitosan salt with a halogenating agent.

Abstract: N-acylaminomethylphosphonic acids having the formula RCO--NH--CH.sub.2 --P(.dbd.O)(OH).sub.2, where R is a non-interfering organic radical, are prepared by (A) combining a solution of a carboxamide, RCO--NH.sub.2, paraformaldehyde and phosphorous acid in an anhydrous solvent with a carboxylic acid anhydride, e.g., acetic anhydride, or (B) combining a solution of the carboxamide and paraformaldehyde in an anhydrous solvent with a solution of the carboxylic acid anhydrid and phosphorous acid in an anhydrous solvent, followed by heating the resulting solution to complete the reaction. The N-acylaminomethylphosphonic acids can be hydrolyzed to aminomethylphosphonic acid.

Abstract: A process is provided for separating high purity alkyl glycolate from a gaseous reaction mixture resulting from the catalyzed gas phase oxidation of alkyl glycolate. A hot solvent which is immiscible with water but selectively dissolves alkyl glycolate and alkyl glyoxylate is brought in contact with the gaseous reaction mixture, and water and alcohol vapors are removed from the hot solvent. The alkyl glyoxylate is removed from the solution by a first distillation and the alkyl glycolate and solvent are then separated in a second distillation.

Abstract: The stabilization of aqueous or alkanolic solutions of choline and derivative of choline against discoloration on aging by the addition of an unsubstituted hydroxylamine salt to the choline solutions at levels of less than 1 percent.

Abstract: A process for inducing flocculation involving the mixing of an aqueous solution of a chitosan salt with a material to be flocculated (e.g., oil, algae, or the like) and then adding a halogenating agent (e.g., sodium hypochlorite) thus forming a N-halochitosan.

Abstract: In the catalyzed gas phase oxidative dehydrogenation of alkyl glycolate with an oxygen source in the presence of a metallic silver catalyst, the selectivity of from 500 to about 5000 ppm the reaction is increased at high conversion rates by the addition of methylene chloride to the reactants.

Abstract: The process in which alkyl glyoxylates are prepared by the catalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of the corresponding alkyl glycolates is improved by carrying out the process in at least two adiabatic reaction stages in series, in which no more than about 60 percent of the stoichiometric amount of oxygen is used in the first stage.

Abstract: Methyl isocyanate can be separated in high yields from a gas-phase mixture of the isocyanate and water by sequentially condensing a major portion of the water, absorbing essentially all the remaining water from the mixture, and liquefying the methyl isocyante.

Abstract: A continuous, close-coupled method for making N-methyl carbamate pesticides which comprises contacting the methyl isocyanate in a vapor phase mixture containing methyl isocyanate and water with a selected oxime or phenol, said mixture being the reaction product formed by oxidizing monomethylformamide. An optional intermediate step for preparing the methyl isocyanate/water vapor phase reaction mixture for contact with the oxime or phenol is to remove therefrom a portion of the water without liquefying the methyl isocyanate by cooling the mixture to a temperature below the dew point of water but above the dew point of the methyl isocyanate.

Abstract: Methyl isocyanate can be separated in high yields from a gas-phase mixture of the isocyanate and water by sequentially condensing a major portion of the water, adsorbing essentially all the remaining water from the mixture, and liquefying the methyl isocyanate.

Abstract: The process in which methyl isocyanate is prepared by the oxidative dehydrogenation of monomethyl formamide is improved by performing the reaction in a quartz reactor.

Abstract: The process in which organic isocyanates are prepared by the oxidative dehydrogenation of the corresponding formamides is improved by operating the process in at least two adiabatic reaction stages in series where no more than 0.7 equivalent of oxygen is fed to the first stage.

Abstract: Monomethylformamide is converted to methyl isocyanate by reaction with oxygen in the presence of an inert diluent gas at 300.degree.-600.degree. C. using as catalyst sputtered silver or silver/gold on an inert, hard, nonporous support.

Abstract: In the catalytic preparation of methylamines from methanol and ammonia using an aluminosilicate catalyst, the mono-, di- and trimethylamine content of the product mixture can be varied from the equilibrium mixture ordinarily produced by using an amorphous aluminosilicate catalyst containing varying amounts of sodium, potassium, lithium, barium or strontium atoms as a result of treating an amorphous aluminosilicate with a corresponding metal hydroxide.

Abstract: Esters of poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol are prepared by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in a reaction mixture which contains, in addition to the tetrahydrofuran, and acylium ion precursor such as acetic anhydride, a polymeric catalyst which contains sulfonic acid groups and, optionally, a carboxylic acid such as acetic acid.