Abstract: The present invention provides a lubricating oil or a lubricating oil additive, particularly suitable for a R-134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) or R-134 (1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane) refrigerant, consisting of a compound (X) that can be prepared by esterification of a polyoxyethoxylated glycerol with at least one polycarboxylic acid compound having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 13 carbon atoms, and at least one monocarboxylic acid compound having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 13 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing liquid ethylene-type random copolymers by copolymerizing ethylene and a C.sub.3 --C.sub.2 O alpha-olefin in the presence of a catalyst comprising an alumoxane and a stereorigid metallocene compound described by the formula:R"(CpR.sub.5)(CpR'.sub.5)MeQ.sub.2wherein each Cp is a cyclopentadienyl or substituted cyclopentadienyl ring; each R and R' is the same or different and is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-20 carbon atoms or two R or two R' together form a hydrocarbyl radical having 2-20 carbon atoms; R" is a structural bridge between the two Cp rings imparting stereorigidity to the compound; Me is a transition metal of Group IVb of the periodic table; and each Q is a hydrocarbyl radical having 1-20 carbon atoms or is a halogen. A portion of the alumoxane may be replaced with an alkylaluminum.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the transesterification of carboxylic acid esters, in which process a catalyst is used which is substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture under reaction conditions, said catalyst comprising at least one silicate of the Group IVB elements of the Periodic Table as the active component.

Abstract: A single-step process for the conversion of polysaccharides to polyhydric alcohols by hydrogenation at high pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising (i) a supported metal selected from ruthenium, copper, nickel, cobalt and their mixtures, the metal being highly dispersed on the support so as to be capable of adsorbing more than 0.58 molecules of CO per atom of metal, and (ii) a solid having acidic functions, which may or may not be identical to the support, the solid having sufficient acid functions so that the rate constant of hydrolysis of sucrose on the catalyst is greater than 70% of the rate constant of hydrogenation of glucose on the catalyst. The process gives substantially pure polyhydric alcohols in a single step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing alcohols comprising hydrogenating compounds selected from the group consisting of acids, esters and aldehydes under sufficient hydrogen pressure and temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising a copper chromite first component and a second component consisting essentially of copper deposited on a support.