Abstract: A process for producing squaric acid comprises reacting hexachlorocyclobutene, or its mixtures with hexachlorobutadiene, with 96-100% sulfuric acid, at 80.degree.-150.degree. C., and adding at least the stoichiometric amount of water required for the hydrolysis, while maintaining the acid concentration between 96% and 100% throughout the reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing a copper(II) hydroxide phosphate having the Cu.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2.Cu(OH).sub.2 composition and having a light natural color and an average grain size less than 10 microns. Basic copper carbonate of a bulk density less than 800 grams per liter is treated in an aqueous dispersion with phosphoric acid at temperatures less than 70.degree. C. and the reaction mixture is then mechanically agitated further within the same temperature range.The copper phosphate so obtained is applicable as a smoke-reducing additive in polyvinyl or molding materials containing the same.

Abstract: Quadratic acid bisamides and salts thereof having the formula I are effective stabilizers of synthetic resins, especially for imparting resistance to deterioration resulting from exposure to light ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is H, C.sub.1-12 alkyl or OH-substituted C.sub.2-12 alkyl; R.sub.2 is --(CH.sub.2).sub.m --O--.sub.n, wherein m is an integer of 2-6; n is 0 or 1;R.sub.3 is H, CH.sub.3, CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --OH, CH.sub.2 --COOH or CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --COOH;HX is an acid equivalent of an unsubstituted or substituted monobasic, dibasic or polybasic organic acid of not more than 20 carbon atoms, or of sulfuric or phosphoric acid; and0.ltoreq.p.ltoreq.2.

Abstract: A polyvinyl chloride blend contains, as a smoke-reducing additive, a copper (II) hydroxide phosphate of the composition Cu.sub.3 (PO.sub.4).sub.2.Cu(OH).sub.2 in amounts from about 0.1 to 20 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polyvinyl chloride. The thus-treated polyvinyl chloride is not discolored by the addition of this copper compound a significant advantage when compared to conventional copper compound additives.

Abstract: A process for preparing a copolymer by copolymerizing ethylene and at least one other 1-monoolefin and, optionally, and unconjugated diene in the presence of a mixed catalyst of (1) a compound of a metal of main Groups I-III of the periodic table having at least one hydrogen atom or an alkyl or aryl group bound to the metal atom, and (2) a compound of a metal of Subgroups IV-VI of the periodic table, comprises performing the copolymerization in the presence of an amount effective as an activator of a 2, 3,4,4-tetrachloro-2-butenoic acid ester of the fromulaHCCl.sub.2 --CCl=CCl--COORwherein R is an optionally halogenated alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group, and wherein the cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl groups are optionally substituted by one or more alkyl groups.

Abstract: A process for preparing a pentachloro-3-butenoic acid alkyl ester comprises reacting the corresponding 1-alkoxyheptachloro-3-butene with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal carbonate. In a preferred embodiment, the starting material 1-alkoxyheptachloro-3-butene is the solution obtained as the reaction product of the reaction of the corresponding 1-alkoxypentachloro-1,3-butadiene with chlorine.

Abstract: A process for preparing tetrachlorocyclobutenone from hexachlorocyclobutene comprises reacting (a) hexachlorocyclobutene withI. (b) anhydrous sulphuric acid and (c) sulphur trioxide; orII. (b) anhydrous sulphuric acid and (d) phosphorus pentoxideat a temperature of 30.degree.-140.degree. C.;the starting materials being present in the following molar ratios at the start of the reaction:for I,(a):(c)=0.67-10, and(b):(c)=0.1-10;and for II,(a):(d)=0.67-10 and(b):(d)=0.5-20.

Abstract: A process for producing a solid, intumescent, phosphorus-containing flame retardant for thermoplastic synthetic resins, comprises evaporating to dryness the reaction product of (a) 1 mole of phosphoric acid, phosphorous acid or polyphosphoric acid, (b) 0.5-2 moles of ethylene oxide or glycol, and (c) 0.2-1 mole of melamine, and tempering the thus-obtained solid at 100.degree.-250.degree. C. The product so obtained can be added to such resins to render them flameproof without deleterious side effects such as discoloration.

Abstract: A process for preparing a 2,3,4,4-tetrachloro-3-butenoic acid ester comprises reacting tetrachlorocyclobutenone in the presence of hexachloro-1,3-butadiene with an alcohol at a temperature of 125.degree.-200.degree. C.

Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of a heat-stable, nuclear-brominated polystyrene by brominating, at -20.degree. C. to +40.degree. C., a polystyrene dissolved in a chlorinated hydrocarbon in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst, an improvement is provided wherein the catalyst further comprises 0.02 to 2 moles, per mole of Lewis acid, of a nucleophilic substance which acts as a Lewis base for the Lewis acid.

Abstract: Ethylene and at least one other 1-monoolefin monomer, alone or in admixture with a non-conjugated hydrocarbon diene monomer, are copolymerized in the presence of organic chlorine compound-activated Ziegler-Natta catalyst, wherein the organic chlorine compound is a hydrocarbon or a halohydrocarbon ester of up to 15 carbon atoms of 2,3,4,4-tetrachloro-3-butenoic acid.

Abstract: Pentachlorovinylacetyl chloride is prepared by chlorinating tetrachlorocyclobutenone with a chlorinating agent such as (a) Cl.sub.2, optionally in the presence of additives, e.g., phosphorous pentachloride, antimony pentachloride, or oxides, hydroxides or carbonates of metals such as alkali or alkaline earth metals; or (b) phosphorous pentachloride.