Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the isomerization of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diols, such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol, by contacting the diol with a supported ruthenium catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at elevated pressures and temperatures. The process is carried under conditions in which there is no net production of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. The process may be carried out in the presence or absence of a solvent and in the liquid or vapor phase.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the isomerization of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diols, such as 2,2,4,4-tetramethylcyclobutane-1,3-diol, by contacting the diol with a supported ruthenium catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at elevated pressures and temperatures. The process is carried under conditions in which there is no net production of 2,2,4,4-tetraalkylcyclobutane-1,3-diol. The process may be carried out in the presence or absence of a solvent and in the liquid or vapor phase.

Abstract: Diesters of 1,4-cyclohexane dicarboxylate are surprisingly more efficient PVC plasticizers and fuse PVC faster and at a lower temperature than similar phthalates or terephthalate diesters. Hydrogenated orthophthalate diesters are slower fusing, i.e., require higher temperatures, than do the corresponding orthophthalate diesters.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of a mixture of benzoxazolyl-stilbene compounds by the reaction of unsubstituted 4,4′-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbene with a substituted o-aminophenol or o-aminonaphthol to obtain a mixture comprising the unsubstituted 4,4′-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbene and at least one substituted 4,4′-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)stilbene, 4-naphthoxazol-2-yl-4′-benzoxazol-2-ylstilbene and/or 4,4′-bis(naphthoxazol-2-yl)stilbene. These mixtures are useful as fluorescent brightening agents and light stabilizers for synthetic polymeric materials such as polyesters, polyamide and polyolefin textile materials and shaped articles.