Abstract: A processable thermoplastic conductive composite resin is formed by coating polypyrrole onto the surface of microbeads by in situ oxidative polymerization. The microbeads, generally having an average diameter from about 0.5 to about 500 microns, are coated with polypyrrole by combining pyrrole, oxidizing agent and the beads in a protic solvent such as water, methanol, ethanol, ethylene glycol and the like. The pyrrole polymerizes on the surface of the microbeads. The microbeads, which are thermoplastic, can then be processed and the conductivity of the processed polymer remains high, generally about 0.1 to about 10 S/cm. This is suitable for use as a conductive film. By incorporating a sulfonate counterion, the conductivity of the composite is significantly improved. Further, by incorporating a heat activated cross-linking agent such as a peroxide, the tensile strength of the processed polymer is significantly improved.

Abstract: Processes for converting vinyl alcohol polymers to poly(keto-esters) and the novel products obtained therefrom are disclosed. The process involves reacting a vinyl alcohol polymer, such as PVA or EVOH, with an organic peroxyacid oxidizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert the secondary hydroxyl groups of the vinyl alcohol polymer to carbonyl and oxycarbonyl groups. In another aspect of the invention, the vinyl alcohol copolymer is first reacted with an oxidizing agent capable of converting the secondary hydroxyl groups to carbonyl but not to oxycarbonyl and then subsequently oxidized using a peroxyacid to form oxycarbonyl. The poly(keto-esters) comprised of carbonyl units, oxycarbonyl units, hydroxyl-containing units and units which are primarily hydrocarbons in nature are photodegradable and biodegradable.

Abstract: A process for converting the pendant keto groups of ketonic polymers to ester groups is provided. The process involves reacting the polymer with an organic peroxyacid oxodizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert substantially all or only a portion of the pendant carbonyl functionality to oxycarbonyl moieties. Homopolymers or copolymers of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated ketones, such as methyl vinyl ketone and ethyl vinyl ketone, are readily modified with the process of this invention.

Abstract: Novel poly(keto-esters) having carbonyl and oxycarbonyl units randomly combined with linking units derived from olefinic monomers to form an essentially straight-chain polymer backbone are provided. The poly(keto-esters) are produced by converting a portion of the carbonyl functionality of a polyketone to oxycarbonyl groups. The conversion is achieved by reacting the polyketone with an organic peroxyacid in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the production of esters by reaction of an allylic ether with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a Group VIII noble metal catalyst and a Group IB metal halide to obtain esters. The Group IB metal halide is present in an amount sufficient to prevent the catalyst from being converted into a Group VIII metal during the reaction. When the reaction is conducted in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt the ester may be extracted by solvent extraction to minimize catalyst decomposition caused when extractive distillation is used to separate the ester.

Abstract: A facile process for converting polyketones containing pendant functional groups to polyesters is provided. The process involves reacting the polyketone with an organic peroxyacid oxidizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert substantially all or only a portion of the keto functionality to ester moieties. The polyketones are obtained by copolymerizing carbon monoxide and a vinyl or vinylidene monomer having at least one functional group containing one or more oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or halogen atoms.

Abstract: A facile process for converting polyketones to polyesters is provided. The process involves reacting a polyketone, such as an ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer, with an organic peroxyacid oxidizing agent in an inert liquid medium at a temperature from -20.degree. C. to 150.degree. C. to convert substantially all or only a portion of the keto functionality to ester moieties.

Abstract: A process for preparing 2-butenolide, a useful product for the manufacture of gamma-butyrolactone, is disclosed which comprises reacting furan with oxygen in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst comprising a mixed metal oxide containing titanium, boron and molybdenum.

Abstract: Halogenated compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein each X is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, bromine and fluorine, each X.sub.1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, fluorine and alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and halogen-substituted alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and each Y and Y.sub.1 is independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, aryl, alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and halogen-substituted alkyl or alkoxy of 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and a process for preparing these compounds are provided. These compounds are useful as flame retardant additives for various polymers.

Abstract: A process is described for the preparation of aromatic aldehydes such as benzaldehyde or substituted benzaldehydes involving the vapor phase oxidation of aralkyl compounds such as toluene or substituted toluenes, respectively, at temperatures of less than about 250.degree.C. in the presence of a catalyst composition containing phosphoric acid and a catalytically effective amount of palladium metal. The aromatic aldehydes are produced in a single reaction step.