Abstract: This invention relates to surfactant compositions comprising a phosphate fluorosurfactant and a siloxane surfactant wherein the surfactant composition's ability to lower equilibrium surface tension exceeds that of either the phosphate fluorosurfactant or the siloxane surfactant. Because of the synergistic interaction of the phosphate fluorosurfactant and the siloxane surfactant, it is possible to use only small amounts of the more expensive fluorosurfactant in the surfactant composition of the present invention while preserving or improving the ability to lower the equilibrium surface tension of a liquid, such as water.

Abstract: A fire extinguishing or explosion suppression device comprises a chamber and a nozzle. The nozzle defines a discharge pathway from the chamber. The chamber has an inlet for pressure-driven introduction of a liquid into the chamber. The chamber is shaped so that a gas contained in the chamber before the introduction of the liquid is entrained into the liquid during the pressure driven introduction of the liquid such that a mixture of the liquid and the gas is discharged through the nozzle to create a mist for extinguishing a fire or suppression of an explosion. After the gas has been discharged from the chamber, the nozzle produces a spray having a core of larger liquid droplets with the core being surrounded by smaller liquid droplets.

Abstract: A process for reducing the level of perfluoroalkanoic acids, perfluoroalkanoic esters, and perfluoroalkyliodides in fluorinated alcohols comprising heating a fluorinated alcohol, or mixtures thereof, containing said acids, esters, or iodides to a temperature of at least 175° C. in the presence of water and a base additive is disclosed.

Abstract: New icosahedral borohydrates Cs2[closo-B12(OH)12]; Cs[closo-1-H-1-CB11(OH)11]; and closo-1,12-H2-1,12-C2B10(OH)10 are disclosed. Also set forth are their preparation by refluxing the icosahedral boranes [closo-B12H12]2−, [closo-1-CB11H12]− and closo-1,12-(CH2OH)2-1,12-C2B10H10 with a hydroxylating agent, preferably 30%w hydrogen peroxide.