Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of making a foamed polyacrylimide or polymethacrylimide polymer which comprises free-radically polymerizing a mixture comprising(A) a member selected from a first group consisting of acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile and a member selected from a second group consisting of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, the mol ratio of the members of said first group to the members of said second group being between 2:3 and 3:2, and(B) up to 20 percent, by weight of (A), of other free radically-polymerizable monomers copolymerizable therewith,Said mixture further comprising from 1 to 15 percent, by weight of (A) and (B), of a foaming agent which is a monovalent aliphatic alcohol having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, to form a solid polymer, and then heating said polymer at a temperature from 170.degree. C. to 250.degree. C. until a foam is formed.

Abstract: A method for making a carbonic acid ester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R is --CH.sub.3, --C.sub.2 H.sub.5, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.7, which comprises reacting the corresponding alcohol, ROH, with carbon monoxide and oxygen, under pressure and at elevated temperature, in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst, said catalyst being a complex formed between copper-I-chloride and vanadium trichloride, chromium trichloride, iron trichloride, cobalt-II-chloride, aluminum trichloride, or silicon tetrachloride.

Abstract: In a method for the oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutyric acid in the gas phase, in the presence of oxygen and water vapor at a temperature from 300.degree. C. - 500.degree. C., and in the presence of a solid catalyst, the improvement wherein said catalyst initially consists essentially of at least one member selected from the group consisting of elemental molybdenum, elemental tungsten, molybdenum trioxide, and tungsten trioxide.

Abstract: An improved method for making glycol monoesters and diesters of carboxylic acid by the reaction of an olefin and oxygen in the presence of a carboxylic acid and a catalyst, wherein said catalyst includes a compound of a metal of groups IVB - VIIB having an atomic number between 40 and 42 inclusive or between 72 and 75 inclusive, i.e. zirconium, niobium, molybdenum, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, or rhenium.

Abstract: In a method for making a carboxylic acid ester by the reaction of the corresponding carboxylic acid amide with a primary alcohol in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature, the improvement wherein said catalyst is an at least partially dissolved metal carboxylate or a compound forming a metal carboxylate by reaction in situ with a carboxylic acid, the anion of which metal carboxylate is the anion of said carboxylic acid.

Abstract: In a method for making .alpha.-hydroxy-isobutyramide by the hydration of acetone cyanohydrin in the presence of manganese dioxide as a catalyst, the improvement wherein acetone is added to the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A method for making cyanogen chloride which comprises passing an approximately equimolar mixture of dicyan and chlorine over a charcoal catalyst at a temperature between 500.degree.C. and 950.degree.C. at a space velocity between 1000 and 10000 liters, measured at room temperature, per liter of catalyst and per hour.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic oxycarbonylation of ethylene and propylene by reaction with carbon monoxide and oxygen in a methanolic or ethanolic reaction medium employing a catalyst which contains a compound of vanadium, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel or copper and chloride, bromide, or iodide ions.

Abstract: A method for preparing carbonic acid esters, ##EQU1## by reacting an alcohol, ROH, with carbon monoxide and oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper salt, chloride or bromide, and an organic phosphorus compound such as a phosphine oxide, phosphite, phosphate, or phosphonate.