Abstract: A block copolymer consisting essentially of crystalline polymerized propylene segments joined to crystalline segments of polymerized .alpha.-mono-olefinic hydrocarbon other than propylene. These block copolymers have an inherent viscosity in Tetralin at 145.degree. C. of from about 0.4 to 2.4, a density of at least 0.85, a brittle point below 0.degree. C. and contain at least 80 percent, by weight, of polymerized propylene.

Abstract: The process of carrying out aldol condensations either batch-wise or continuously without catalyst with formaldehyde and another aldehyde in the presence of esterifying acid at a temperature of from about 150.degree. C to about 280.degree. C., with from about 170.degree. C. to about 190.degree. C. being preferred.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of 2,2-disubstituted propiolactones via the pyrolysis of methylene diisoalkylate in the vapor phase over a fixed bed catalyst system. The reaction of the invention is as follows: ##SPC1##Wherein R is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and R.sup.1 is alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or phenyl. The catalyst comprises an oxide of a metal selected from the group Ag, U, Zn, Ti, Zr, Th, Ta, Nb, Mo, W, and Sn on a suitable support. A preferred catalyst is the metal oxide-silica gel complex which results from heating the calcined residue of a salt of a metal selected from the group consisting of Ta, Ti, Nb and Zr supported upon a silica gel in the presence of nitrogen and steam at a temperature of from about 650.degree. C. to about 1000.degree. C. The process is operable at temperatures from about 240.degree. C. to about 360.degree. C. with contact times ranging from about 0.1 second to about 30.0 seconds.

Abstract: An improved process for the production of aliphatic nitriles having two to six carbon atoms by the reaction of an aliphatic carboxylic acid with ammonia in the presence of a catalyst followed by effluent distillation. The improvement lies in the addition of a portion of the aliphatic carboxylic acid after the reactor but before distillation whereby ammonium carboxylate formed in the reaction and dissociated by distillation is reformed to the carboxylate thus preventing the escape of dissociated ammonia and whereby the aliphatic carboxylic acid portion is recycled to the reaction.

Abstract: Polyhydric alcohols are prepared by the aldol condensation of an aldehyde having 1 to 3 hydrogens on the alpha-carbon atom with formaldehyde in the presence of sodium carbonate and the subsequent crossed Cannizzaro reaction wherein the aldol condensation product is reacted with additional formaldehyde and sodium carbonate to form a polyhydric alcohol.