Patents by Inventor Gerald J. O'Neill

Gerald J. O'Neill has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5811584
    Abstract: Process for the production of TMEDA in high yield by reducing 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane with hydrogen in the presence of a chromium promoted Raney cobalt catalyst. A solution of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane in a suitable solvent is fed to a reactor while avoiding the accumulation of 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane in the reaction medium, such as by feeding it at a rate no greater than its rate of reaction with hydrogen. In a preferred embodiment, the resulting TMEDA is recovered by converting it to an amine salt by sparging carbon dioxide through the solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Albert H. Levesque, Robert J. Bulka
  • Patent number: 5616772
    Abstract: A method of stabilizing nitriles, and in particular iminodiacetonitrile (IDAN), ethylendiamine-triacetonitrile (EDTN), and especially nitrilotriacetonitrile (NTAN). The present invention also encompasses the resulting stabilized nitrile. The method of the present invention comprises contacting the nitrile with a mixture of silica and alumina, zeolites or glass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Albert H. Levesque
  • Patent number: 5543055
    Abstract: A process for the purification of bis(difluoromethyl)ether. Bis(difluoromethyl)ether is exposed to molecular sieves in order to reduce or completely remove impurities. In a further embodiment, the present invention optionally includes means for preferentially inhibiting the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3 in the formation of bis(difluoromethyl)ether prior to exposing the bis(difluoromethyl)ether to the molecular sieves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert J. Bulka
  • Patent number: 5446211
    Abstract: The synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.3-(x+y) wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; y is 1, 2 or 3; and wherein (x+y) is 1, 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether in the presence of a solvent to form a chlorinated reaction product of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z wherein z is 1, 2 or 3. The process may also be carried out in the presence of oxygen in order to inhibit the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3. The resulting compound(s) is then fluorinated with HF before or after separation, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert J. Bulka
  • Patent number: 5324864
    Abstract: A novel process for synthesizing difluoromethyl methyl ether for use as regrigerants and blowing agents, etc. is hereby disclosed. This process involves (1) feeding chlorodifluoromethane at a rate from about 0.5 to 5 grams of feed gas per gram of solution per minute through a sodium methoxide in methanol or basic ion exchange slurry in methanol; (2) removing the gaseous product and the unreacted chlorodifluoromethane continuously; and (3) separating difluoromethyl ether from the unreacted chlorodifluoromethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Felix B. Popper, Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert J. Bulka
  • Patent number: 5278342
    Abstract: The synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.3-(x+y) wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; y is 1, 2 or 3; and wherein (x+y) is 1, 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether in the presence of oxygen to form a chlorinated reaction product of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z wherein z is 1 or 2, and wherein the formation of CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.3 is inhibited. The resulting compound(s) is then fluorinated with HF before or after separation, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: Hampshire Chemical Corp.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert J. Bulka
  • Patent number: 5196600
    Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.x F.sub.y H.sub.3-(x+y) wherein x is 0, 1 or 2; y is 1, 2 or 3; and wherein the total x+y is 1, 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether to form a chlorinated reaction product, including at least one compound of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z, wherein z is 1, 2 or 3, which compound is then fluorinated with HF and/or an antimony salt and with or without separation from the chlorinated reaction product, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gerald J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 5185474
    Abstract: A novel process is disclosed for the synthesis of fluorinated dimethyl ethers of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCCl.sub.X F.sub.Y H.sub.3-(X+Y) wherein X and Y are each independently 0, 1, 2 or 3 and wherein the total X+Y is 2 or 3. The process involves chlorination of methyl difluoromethyl ether to form a chlorinated reaction product, including at least one compound of the formula CF.sub.2 HOCH.sub.3-z Cl.sub.z, wherein z is 1, 2 or 3, which compound is then fluorinated, with or without separation from the chlorinated reaction product, to give a fluorinated reaction product including the aforementioned fluorinated dimethyl ethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gerald J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 5097072
    Abstract: Polyamines are prepared via the batchwise hydrogenation of polynitriles by the gradual addition of the polynitrile into a fed-batch reactor which contains chromium promoted Raney.RTM. cobalt catalyst. The hydrogenation optionally is conducted in the presence of anhydrous ammonia. The polyamine product having amino groups which corresponds to the nitrile of the polynitrile is economically obtained in high selectivity and yield as the dominant product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Albert H. Levesque
  • Patent number: 4961321
    Abstract: A chlorine-free refrigerant comprised of bis (difluoromethyl)ether; CHF.sub.2 OCHF.sub.2. The refrigerant may be used alone or in combination with other refrigerants. The bis (difluoromethyl) ether refrigerant is environmentally safe, non toxic, non flammable and has the desired physical, chemical and thermodynamic properties necessary for a refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 9, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert S. Holdsworth
  • Patent number: 4139607
    Abstract: Certain fluorinated dimethyl ethers have been found to possess the stability, the compatibility and sufficient freedom from deleterious physiological effects to be used as aerosol propellants in cosmetic, hygienic, pharmaceutical and other personal products. Bis(difluoromethyl) ether is also free of the chlorine atoms believed responsible for some destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere. Bis(difluoromethyl) ether and carbon dioxide provides a combined gaseous and liquefied propellant system having improved aerosol pattern and emptying characteristics and eliminates the compressed gas effect usually shown by use of carbon dioxide in propellant systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1979
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Simons, Gerald J. O'Neill, Joel A. Gribens
  • Patent number: 4127613
    Abstract: Methyl trifluorovinyl ether can be stabilized with respect to liquid and vapor phase deflagration or explosive potential by the addition of certain fluorohaloalkanes to the methyl trifluorovinyl ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 1977
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1978
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Gerald J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 4041148
    Abstract: Certain fluorinated dimethyl ethers have been found to possess the stability, the compatibility and sufficient freedom from deleterious physiological effects to be used as aerosol propellants in cosmetic, hygenic, pharmaceutical and other personal products. These compounds, bis(difluoromethyl) ether and perfluorodimethyl ether, are also free of the chlorine atoms believed responsible for some destruction of ozone in the upper atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1977
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Simons, Gerald J. O'Neill, Joel A. Gribens
  • Patent number: 3995062
    Abstract: The following halocyclopropyl halomethyl ethers have been synthesized and found to possess utility as general inhalation anesthetics:1-chloro-2-chlorofluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane, 1-chloro-2-difluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane, 1-bromo-2-chlorofluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane and 1-bromo-2-difluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Charles A. Billings, Gerald J. O'Neill, Charles W. Simons, Robert S. Holdsworth
  • Patent number: 3958013
    Abstract: The following halogenated cyclobutyl ethers have been found to possess utility as general anesthetics: 1-chloro-2-methoxy-1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-2-methoxy-1,4,4-trifluorocyclobutane and 1-bromo-2-methoxy-1,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluorocyclobutane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Vincent I. DiBiasio, Charles W. Simons, Gerald J. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 3954893
    Abstract: Certain new halogenated cyclobutanes have been synthesized and found to possess utility as inhalation anesthetics. They are: 1,4-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-1,2,2,4-tetrafluorocyclobutane, 1,4-dichloro-1,2,2,4-tetrafluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-1,2,2,3,3-pentafluorocyclobutane, 1,2,2-trifluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-2,3,3-trifluorocyclobutane, 1-chloro-2,4 4-trifluorocyclobutane, 1-bromo-1,2,2-trifluorocyclobutane, 1-bromo-2-methyl-1,4,4-trifluorocyclobutane and 1-bromo-2-chloro-1,4,4-trifluorocyclobutane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1976
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Gerald J. O'Neill, Robert S. Holdsworth, Charles W. Simons
  • Patent number: 3932529
    Abstract: The following halocyclopropyl halomethyl ethers have been synthesized and found to possess utility as general inhalation anesthetics:1-chloro-2-chlorofluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane, 1-chloro-2-difluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane, 1-bromo-2-chlorofluoromethoxy-1,2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane and 1-bromo-2-difluoromethoxy-1, 2,3,3-tetrafluorocyclopropane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Charles A. Billings, Gerald J. O'Neill, Charles W. Simons, Robert S. Holdsworth
  • Patent number: 3932669
    Abstract: The compound 1-chloro-2,2-dimethyl-1,4,4-trifluorocyclobutane has been found to possess useful properties as a general inhalation anesthetic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1976
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Robert S. Holdsworth, Gerald J. O'Neill, Paul Tarrant