Abstract: Polyquinoline copolymers and mixtures of polyquinoline homopolymers and copolymers having unique properties are provided. The copolymers can include random copolymers, block copolymers, and tri-block copolymers.

Abstract: Biphenylene end-capped low molecular weight thermally stable aromatic polymers and the process for their preparation. The invention is further directed to crosslinked biphenylene end-capped aromatic polymers and to the process for their preparation. The process for preparing the biphenylene end-capped low molecular weight thermally stable aromatic polymers comprises carrying out a misbalanced polymerization reaction of a suitable aromatic aminoketone compound and a suitable aromatic ketomethylene compound and thereafter adding a monofunctional biphenylene compound.

Abstract: Two new optically active pyrrolidinephosphine monomers prepared by the reaction of 2(S), 4(S)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine and 2(R), 4(R)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine with acryloyl-chloride to give N-acryloyl-2(S), 4(S)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine (1) and N-acryloyl-2(R), 4(R)-4-diphenylphosphino-2-diphenylphosphinomethylpyrrolidine (2). Copolymerization of 1 and 2 with hydrophilic comonomers and a divinyl monomer provided crosslinked insoluble polymers containing about 3-5% of 1 or 2 that would swell in polar solvents. Exchange of rhodium(I) onto the polymer gave catalysts which were active for the asymmetric hydrogenation of N-acyl-amino acids in high optical yields, the phosphine derived from the enantiomer of the naturally occurring 4-hydroxyproline giving S-amino acids.

Abstract: The compounds (R)-1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)-3-benzyloxypropane and (R)-1-tert-butoxy-2,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane are precursors to new rhodium-based asymmetric reaction catalysts having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is benzyl or tert-butyl.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefins (e.g., 1,3-butadiene) are carbonylated by the palladium-catalyzed addition of carbon monoxide and an alcohol of the formula ROH (e.g., benzyl alcohol) whereby polycarboxylic esters are formed in which the pair of double bonds of the conjugated diolefin has been transformed into a moiety having the formula: ##STR1## In the process, the olefin, carbon monoxide, and alcohol are reacted in the presence of a palladium(II) salt, a copper(II) salt, and a base, at certain concentrations and at a pressure and temperature sufficient to effect the carbonylation. The resulting unsaturated diester can be hydrolyzed and hydrogenated or vice versa to obtain the corresponding linear diacid (e.g., adipic acid).

Abstract: Polymers containing recurring quinoline or anthrazoline groups which are reaction products of aromatic amino carbonyl compounds containing two sets of ortho-amino aldehyde or ortho-amino ketone functions attached to the aromatic nucleus having the general structure: ##STR1## (wherein R is hydrogen, or aryl and the Ar's are aryl groups) with methylene ketones containing two ketone functions having a methylene group adjacent to each ketone and having the general structure: ##STR2## (wherein R = hydrogen or aryl and R' = aryl and the Ar's are aryl groups) are described. According to the above, R from both the aromatic amino carbonyl and the aromatic methylene ketone could be hydrogen when producing a polymer, but the polymer in which both R's are hydrogen is excluded from this invention.