Abstract: A medium for storing data includes a rotationally symmetric body, wherein the body is divided into a plurality of independently positionable segments, and a recordable substrate is affixed to a surface of at least one of the segments. The medium further includes at least one mount to enable the segments to be coupled to a drive mechanism.

Abstract: A data processing system initiates, implements, confirms and updates a novel financial transaction support service, which provides an allotment of brokerage transactions, related financial services, and banking account services at a fee predicated on total assets in a selectively constructed Account Group. The foregoing system permits wide scale implementation of an asset-based fee structure for a wide range of services, with simplified and enhanced tracking of account activity.

Abstract: Catalyst precursor compositions comprising a mixture of magnesium oxide or a source of magnesium oxide and a water insoluble zinc compound are described. The compositions are calcinable to a catalyst that is useful in reactions for the ortho-alkylation of phenols.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a polyphenylene ether by subjecting a 2,6-dialkyl-4-halophenol to oxygen in the presence of a water-immiscible solvent, an aqueous alkali, a phase transfer agent, and a molecular-weight-controlling amount of an amine having at least one hydrogen on the amine nitrogen. The polyphenylene ether thus produced has improved flow properties, color and odor, and is suitable for polymer blending with styrenic resins.

Abstract: Catalyst precursor compositions comprising a mixture of magnesium oxide or a source of magnesium oxide and a water insoluble zinc compound are described. The compositions are calcinable to a catalyst that is useful in reactions for the ortho-alkylation of phenols.

Abstract: Ortho-alkylated phenols are prepared by reacting phenol unsubstituted in at least one ortho position with an alcohol in the presence of an ortho-alkylation catalyst consisting of magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or a mixture of both. The catalyst is used in the absence of a promoter compound and with or without polymeric binder.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprising a magnesium compound or material, optionally also containing other metal compounds, is activated for use by calcining at an elevated temperature in the presence of air or nitrogen, or under vacuum. The active catalyst which results may be used in processes for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds, with good yields of and selectivity to the ortho-alkylated end product.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprised of a dry admixture of manganese carbonate and at least one material selected from among magnesium carbonate, basic magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. The precursor is calcinable at elevated temperatures to an activated catalyst which may be used in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor prepared by precipitating manganese hydroxide from caustic solution and then mixing the precipitate with a magnesium-containing material is described. The catalyst precursor can be calcined to an active form, and the resulting catalyst can be used to effect or facilitate the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds in vapor phase reactions. Superiority of performance is demonstrated with respect to a catalyst derived from a precursor in which manganese hydroxide is precipitated (sometimes referred to as "co-precipitation") in the presence of a magnesium compound, rather than formed separately.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprised of a dry admixture of manganese carbonate and at least one material selected from among magnesium carbonate, basic magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. The precursor is calcinable at elevated temperatures to an activated catalyst which may be used in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are alkylated with alkanols such as methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising magnesium oxide with up to about 0.1% by weight of copper deposited thereon in a layer of submicroscopic thickness. The catalyst is prepared by preparing a slurry of a substantially water-insoluble magnesium reagent such as magnesium hydroxide or magnesium carbonate in an aqueous solution of at least one copper salt, removing and drying the solid phase, and calcining the same at a temperature within the range of about 350.degree.-550.degree. C. The catalyst promotes ortho-alkylation of the hydroxyaromatic compound in high yield, minimizes decomposition of the alkanol, and has long life.

Abstract: Hydroxyaromatic compounds such as phenol are alkylated with alkanols such as methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising an intimate blend of magnesium oxide and copper, the latter being present in an amount up to about 2% by weight, based on said magnesium oxide. The catalyst is prepared by blending a magnesium reagent and copper in elemental or (preferably) chemically combined form and calcining the same at a temperature within the range of about 350.degree.-550.degree. C. The catalyst promotes ortho-alkylation of the hydroxyaromatic compound in high yield, minimizes decomposition of the alkanol, and has long life.

Abstract: A catalyst precursor comprised of a dry admixture of manganese carbonate and at least one material selected from among magnesium carbonate, basic magnesium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. The precursor is calcinable at elevated temperatures to an activated catalyst which may be used in a process for the ortho-alkylation of phenolic compounds.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether and a rubber modified polystyrene resin having a discontinuous phase of polystyrene particles englobed in diene rubber membranes, the particles being between about 0.1 and 0.7 microns in diameter. Such compositions provide molded articles with substantial and unexpected improvements in impact resistance and ability to transmit light in comparison with known compositions of such rubber modified polystyrenes alone or those of other polystyrenes combined with polyphenylene ethers.

Abstract: A process for making ortho-alkylated phenols by reacting in the vapor phase an alkyl alcohol and a phenolic compound in the presence of an alkylation catalyst, said catalyst provided by a calcination residue of mixture comprising a magnesium-containing material and manganese hydroxide formed as a precipitate by bringing together an aqueous solution of a manganese salt and an aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide in the presence of said magnesium-containing material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a catalyst comprising a magnesium-containing moiety, a method for preparing the catalyst, and a process for the vapor phase ortho-alkylation of phenols in the presence of the catalyst.

Abstract: Ortho-alkylated phenols are prepared by reacting phenol unsubstituted in at least one ortho position with an alcohol in the presence of an ortho-alkylation catalyst consisting of magnesium carbonate, magnesium hydroxide or a mixture of both. The catalyst is used in the absence of a promoter compound and with or without polymeric binder.

Abstract: There are provided thermoplastic compositions comprising a polyphenylene ether and a rubber modified polystyrene resin having a discontinuous phase of polystyrene particles englobed in diene rubber membranes, the particles being between about 0.1 and 0.7 microns in diameter. Such compositions provide molded articles with substantial and unexpected improvements in impact resistance and ability to transmit light in comparison with known compositions of such rubber modified polystyrenes alone or those of other polystyrenes combined with polyphenylene ethers.

Abstract: A novel process is described for the control of molecular weight in the preparation of polyphenylene oxide polymers. The process is based on the slow addition of additional amounts of a monomeric phenol to a polyphenylene oxide polymerization reaction mixture which comprises a main charge of a monomeric phenol, a polyphenylene oxide polymerization catalyst and a solvent, while continuing polymerization.

Abstract: A novel process is provided for preparing a blend of a polyphenylene ether resin and an alkenyl aromatic addition polymer which comprises using an alkenyl aromatic monomer as a solvent for the oxidative coupling of a phenol to form a polyphenylene ether resin and thereafter polymerizing the alkenyl aromatic monomer to form said blend of alkenyl aromatic addition polymer and a polyphenylene ether resin.