Abstract: A process for tempering unextracted polycaprolactam is disclosed which results in polycaprolactam having suitable physical and chemical properties for melt extrusion and spinning, without the need for conventional solvent/water extraction and drying of crude granules.

Abstract: An equilibrium melt from a standard hydrolytic or anionic polymerization of caprolactam is spun at a temperature between about 230.degree. and 270.degree. C. through a spinnerette, preferably one having a multiplicity of holes spaced from each other in an asymmetric arrangement, the spinning take-away speed being less than about 250 meters/minute. The molten strands of polycaprolactam are quenched in two phases: (1) gas at a temperature of less than 20.degree. C. is directed from a first entrance in a crosscurrent flow upon the face of the spinnerette and upon the molten polycaprolactam strands immediately adjacent thereto, and is exhausted adjacent to the back of the spinnerette; and (2) gas at a temperature of less than 20.degree. C. is directed in a countercurrent flow from a second entrance downstream from the first entrance with respect to the direction of movement of the polycaprolactam strands; whereby the surface temperature of the polycaprolactam strands is reduced to 30.degree.-70.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for cleavage of unsaturated multi-cyclic ketones involves thermal cracking of the liquid ketone at elevated temperatures in the absence of water to produce cyclohexanone and a variety of other cleavage products. Para-toluenesulfonic acid and transition metal oxides are advantageously employed as catalysts.