Abstract: Storage stable solutions of molybdenum/alkanol complexes in the alkanol are prepared by reacting a molybdenum oxide and ammonium hydroxide and an amount of a straight chain or branched chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.13 alkanol, within the range of about 10 to about 55 moles of alkanol per gram atom of molybdenum sufficient to form a storage stable molybdenum/alkanol complex. The complex-forming reaction is initiated in the presence of about 1 to about 4 moles of water per gram atom of molybdenum and about 0.5 to about 10 moles of ammonia per gram atom of molybdenum, the water and ammonia preferably being added in the form of concentrated ammonium hydroxide. The reaction is conducted at a temperature of about 120.degree. to about 190.degree. C. for a period of time, normally about 3 to about 8 hours, sufficient to substantially completely remove ammonia and water to provide a liquid reaction product comprising said solution of molybdenum/alkanol complex dissolved in unreacted alkanol and containing about 0.

Abstract: Storage stable solutions of molybdenum/alkanol complexes in the alkanol are prepared by reacting an ammonium molybdate with an amount of a straight chain or branched chain C.sub.6 -C.sub.13 alkanol, within the range of about 7 to about 20 moles of alkanol per gram atom of molybdenum sufficient to form a storage stable molybdenum/alkanol complex. The complex-forming reaction is initiated in the presence of about 1 to about 4 moles of added water per gram atom of molybdenum and is conducted at a temperature of about 120.degree. to about 190.degree. C. for a period of time, normally about 3 to about 8 hours, sufficient to substantially completely remove ammonia and water to provide a liquid reaction product comprising said solution of molybdenum/alkanol complex dissolved in unreacted alkanol and containing about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % of water. The reaction product is filtered to provide a clarified storage stable solution of the molybdenum/alkanol complex.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide and an ionizable, at least sparingly soluble metal salt, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes. 2-Hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes are hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Complexes made by reacting an ammonium-containing molybdenum compound with an alkylene glycol in the presence of water at an elevated temperature are described. Mild stripping of the water subsequent to complex formation is preferred. If some of the water is left in the complex, it may serve as an excellent olefin epoxidation catalyst. The ratio of moles of alkylene glycol to gram atoms of molybdenum in the complex forming reaction ranges from 7:1 to 20:1. Ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are the particularly preferred alkylene glycols.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when dimethoxymethane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the dimethoxymethane to provide a reaction product containing alkyl glycolates such as methyl glycolate and ethyl glycolate as principle products of the reaction. The alkyl glycolates are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Substantially quantitative yields of bibenzyl hydroperoxide and bibenzyl dihydroperoxide can be obtained when oxygen is reacted with bibenzyl (1,2-diphenylethane) in the presence of a minor amount of sodium bicarbonate at a temperature within the range of about 100.degree. to about 160.degree. C. to provide an oxidation product wherein the bibenzyl is substantially selectively converted to the bibenzyl hydroperoxides. The bibenzyl hydroperoxides can be used as raw materials for the production of propylene oxide by reacting the bibenzyl hydroperoxides with propylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the novel monomer 4,4'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl thio)biphenyl, to a process for its production and to its use in the preparation of polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polysulfones and polyethers.

Abstract: Novel compounds made from the reaction of 5-vinyl-2-norbornene with carboxylic acid anhydrides in the presence of oxygen are described. The process to make these novel esters is preferably conducted at a temperature in the range from about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and in the presence of a catalyst. A transition metal borate catalyst is preferred. Such ester compounds are potentially useful plasticizers, lubricants, solvents and fuel additives.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide and a cobalt initiator, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxyalkyl-1,3-dioxolanes and only minimal amounts of the undesired methyl formate by-product. 2-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane is hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: It has been surprisingly discovered in accordance with the present invention that when 1,3-dioxolane is reacted with formaldehyde in the presence of an organic peroxide, the reaction preferentially involves an addition of the formaldehyde to the 2-methylene group of the 1,3-dioxolane with only minor reaction with the 4-methylene and 5-methylene groups of the 1,3-dioxolane whereby the reaction product that is formed contains significant quantities of 2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane. 2-Hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane is hydrolyzed with comparative ease to ethylene glycol and the corresponding glycol aldehyde (CHO--CH.sub.2 --OH). The glycol aldehyde in turn can be catalytically hydrogenated to form additional quantities of ethylene glycol.

Abstract: A method for decomposing organic hydroperoxides to their corresponding alcohols is described. A solution containing the organic hydroperoxides is contacted with cobalt borate or cobalt borate on titanium dioxide catalyst. The hydroperoxide is reduced to at least 0.2 wt. % of the effluent and often less than 0.09 wt. %. Cobalt borate has the added advantage of not leaching cobalt into the effluent unlike known cobalt oxide decomposition catalysts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the novel monomer 4,4'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl thio)biphenyl, to a process for its production and to its use in the preparation of polycarbonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polysulfones and polyethers.

Abstract: An enhanced yield of 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethylamine is obtainable when diethylene glycol is reductively aminated over a catalyst consisting of cobalt, copper and ceria or thoria or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: Novel cyclic di- and tetraester compounds made from the reaction of various unsaturated cyclic compounds with carboxylic acid anhydrides in the presence of oxygen are described. The process to make these novel ester compounds is preferably conducted at a temperature in the range from about 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and in the presence of a catalyst. A transition metal borate catalyst is preferred. Such ester compounds are potentially useful plasticizers, lubricants, solvents and fuel additives.

Abstract: The synthesis of substituted dioxolanes by direct oxidation of olefins over a molybdenum 8-hydroxyquinoline catalyst in the presence of water is described. An organic solvent such as chlorobenzene may also be employed. Water is essential to the reaction to make the dioxolanes, otherwise olefin oxides are produced. Hence, 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane and 2,4-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane were prepared from propylene oxidation, and three isomers of 2,4,5-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane were prepared from 2-butene oxidation.

Abstract: A process for the production of cycloalkane epoxides from cycloalkenes in the presence of a tungsten or zirconium containing catalyst, oxygen and a carboxylate ion source via air oxidation is described. For example, cobalt tungstate, nickel tungstate, silver tungstate and manganese tungstate are useful catalysts. Active zirconates are cerium zirconate, cadmium zirconate and lead zirconate. The reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range of 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of one atmosphere or greater. Cycloalkane epoxides are useful in the preparation of resins, plasticizers, etc.

Abstract: A process for the production of cycloalkane epoxides from cycloalkenes in the presence of an oxide catalyst, oxygen and a carboxylate ion source via air oxidation is described. The oxide catalyst may have as a cation boron, chromium, iron, nickel, copper, zinc or terbium or mixtures thereof. Combination catalysts such as ferric oxide/zinc oxide and nickel oxide/copper oxide/chromium oxide/boric oxide complexes are also found to be useful. The reaction is conducted at a temperature in the range of 50.degree. to 150.degree. C. and a pressure of one atmosphere or greater. Cycloalkane epoxides are useful in the preparation of resins, plasticizers, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an aromatic copolycarbonate molding composition comprising the reaction product of an aromatic diphenol, an aromatic sulfonyl diphenol, a dihydroxybiphenyl and a carbonic acid derivative, said composition being characterized by its improved heat deflection temperature and critical thickness.

Abstract: A method of preparing 1-phenyl cyclohexylhydroperoxide by contacting a mixture of cyclohexylbenzene, an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of cumene hydroperoxide, and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of phenol or a substituted phenol with an oxygen containing gas under effective reaction conditions of temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously producing an epoxide and a carboxylic acid from an olefin and an aldehyde, respectively, by co-oxidation over a catalyst in the presence of oxygen is described. The catalyst is made by precipitating silver oxide in the presence of copper(II) oxide, copper(II) borate or a mixture thereof. These novel heterogeneous catalysts provide higher selectivities to the epoxide than those obtainable with commercial catalysts.