Abstract: A method for forming an aromatic diacid and/or an aromatic diacid precursor from a polyester-containing feedstock. The method comprises contacting the polyester-containing feedstock with water or an alcohol to depolymerize the polyester and thereby form an aromatic diacid and/or an aromatic diacid precursor, wherein the polyester-containing feedstock comprises about 80 wt % or more polyester and about 1 wt % or more of at least one secondary material, and wherein the at least one secondary material is not polyester.

Abstract: A polyamide composition comprising the following recurring units: ##STR1## in proportions such that the mole ratio of the dicarboxylic acid moieties in the A, B and C units is about 49.5-0.5/0-20/0.5-49.5 and wherein R is a divalent radical comprising ##STR2## in a mole ratio of about 0.5-50/49.5-0 and preferably having a glass transition temperature of 90.degree. C. or greater and an oxygen transmission rate of about 2.0 cc-mil/100 in.sup.2 -day-atm or less.

Abstract: A regioselective acylation process is provided for coverting a 2-methylnaphthalene compound to a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound. The process is conducted under liquid phase conditions in an acylation inert solvent using a complexing agent which is regiospecific for the beta position of naphthalene and which is a thermally stable nitrohydrocarbon compound. Preferred such agents are nitrobenzene, o-nitrotoluene, and mesitylene. Also provided is a novel method for producing a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound of relatively high purity from isomer mixtures by recrystallization from a hydrocarbon solvent, such as n-octane, isooctane, or n-nonane.

Abstract: A regioselective acetylation process is provided for converting a 2-methylnaphthalene compound to a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound. The process is conducted under liquid phase conditions using a new complexing agent which is regiospecific for the beta position of naphthalene and which is an electron-rich, carbon-based compound. A preferred such agent is hexamethylbenzene. Also provided is a novel method for producing a 2-acetyl-6-methylnaphthalene compound of relative high purity from isomer mixtures by recrystallization from a hydrocarbon solvent, such as n-octane, isooctane, or n-nonane.

Abstract: Continuous Friedel-Crafts polymerization of propylene based feedstock in a polypropene reactor system to obtain viscous polypropene having a viscosity within the range of about 2 to about 200 centistokes, comprising: (a) continuously injecting water into the feed or the reactor at a monitored and controlled rate and (b) periodically increasing or decreasing the rate of water injection in response to deviations in the molecular weight of the polypropene product from a desired molecular weight.

Abstract: The method is particularly adapted for controlling the molecular weight of a product output from a polybutene reactor. The method includes the steps of: deriving from the operating parameter of a polybutene reactor system a formula which correlates molecular weight as determined by product viscosity or other parameters of the product output with operating variables such as temperature of the reactor and concentration of isobutylene in the reactor, which concentration can be controlled by the amount of catalyst, e.g.