Abstract: A carbonaceous material is derived from a polysaccharide by carbonisation. The polysaccharide is preferably a starch. The carbonaceous material has mesoporosity and is useful as a solid catalytic support.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced using a supported BF3 cocatalyst complex. Preferably the cocatalyst is organic such as an alcohol or a carboxylic acid. Use of the catalyst in supported form together with the cocatalyst enables control over both Bronsted and Lewis acidity leading to better control of resin properties. Waste disposal and catalyst handling problems are also overcome.

Abstract: Petroleum resins are produced by using a supported halide based Lewis acid polymerization catalyst wherein the Lewis acid is chemically bound to the support and free hydrogen halide and/or alkane formed by the reaction of the Lewis acid with the support has been removed. The more active catalysts are useful with both pure monomer and mixed feeds.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the preparation of a compound of general formula (I), wherein Y and Z each independently represent a fluorine atom or a hydroxy group, and a, b, c and d independently represent 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that the sum of a, b, c, and d is 1, 2, 3 or 4; the process comprising treating a compound of general formula (II), wherein a, b, c, and d are as described above and L1 and L2 each independently represent an active group provided that either Y and L1 are different or Z and L2 are different, with a fluorinating system in the presence of oxygen. A preferred compound of general formula (I) is 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone which may be prepared from 4,4′-dinitrophenylmethane using tetramethylammonium fluoride.