Abstract: A particulate alloy of 30% copper and 70% zinc is activated with alkali metal hydroxide to produce a catalyst which is useful for the catalytic hydrolysis of acrylonitrile to acrylamide under liquid phase conditions.

Abstract: There is provided a continuous process for the production of a copolymer of an alkali metal vinyl sulfonate and acrylic acid. The process comprises continuously feeding an aqueous solution of an alkali metal vinyl sulfonate and acrylic acid together with a polymerization initiator to a reaction zone. The reaction zone is operated adiabatically at a temperature sufficiently high to affect copolymerization of the alkali metal vinyl sulfonate and acrylic acid. The alkali metal vinyl sulfonate and acrylic acid are maintained in the reaction zone for a residence time sufficient to form a copolymer of these two monomers. The resultant copolymer is continuously removed from the reaction zone.

Abstract: A method of using formic acid or metal salts thereof in effective concentrations as very efficient chain transfer agents to limit the molecular weight and intrinsic viscosity of acrylamide based polymers. The formic acid or metal formate is utilized in such polymers by adding to the monomer prior to polymerization amounts of 0.05-6.5% by weight to control polymer molecular weights where the subsequent polymer is to be used as a flocculating agent, sewage treatment agent, or any other appropriate use. Polymers of special interest in this invention are polyacrylamide and anionic or cationic copolymers of acrylamide. Examples of polymers which can be made according to this invention include polyacrylamide (nonionic), copolymers of acrylamide, and N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (cationic) and copolymers of acrylamide and acrylic acid (anionic). In the manufacture of the subject polymer, the percent monomer employed can range from about 10-90% by weight and is preferably from 10-50% by weight.

Abstract: Discrete particles of sodium polyacrylate of high molecular weight and in which the majority of the particle size is in the range of not less than 0.5 mm. nor more than 1.0 mm. diameter are achieved, in an economy of production, by suspension polymerization in stages of 40.degree. C. (2 hours), 50.degree. C. (2 hours) and 60.degree. C. (2 hours) in the presence of a protective colloid.

Abstract: An improved process for catalytically hydrolyzing a nitrile to a corresponding amide which employs a reduced copper and another reduced metal catalyst. This catalyst is prepared by precipitating from an aqueous solution comprised of a mixture of a copper salt and a heavy metal salt a mixture of copper hydroxide and heavy metal hydroxide, oxidizing, heating, washing, separating and reducing under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of water-soluble copolymers of vinyl carboxylic acids and lower alkyl acrylates is disclosed. The process employs a tubular reactor and polymerizes the monomers in aqueous solution in the presence of a free radical catalyst. Molecular weights of from 3,000-300,000 and preferably from about 5,000-25,000 are obtained utilizing this process.

Abstract: The molecular weight of acrylic acid-acrylamide copolymers can be controlled between the range of 3,000-300,000 by polymerizing an aqueous solution of these comonomers in a tube reactor at a pressure between 50-350 psig in the presence of a free radical catalyst and with the following reaction parameters being specified; monomer solids, initiation temperature, monomer pH, initiator concentration, acrylic acid-acrylamide monomer ratio, and residence time in the reactor.

Abstract: Water-in-oil emulsions of water soluble vinyl carboxylic acid polymers and copolymers are prepared by:A. forming an emulsion comprising:1. 30-95% by weight of an aqueous phase consisting of water and a water soluble vinyl addition monomer containing from 1.0-70.0% by weight of a water soluble vinyl carboxylic acid monomer based on the weight of the monomer;2. 5-70% by weight of a hydrophobic oil;3. 0.1-21% by weight of a water-in-oil emulsifying agent;B. polymerizing said emulsion under free radical forming conditions; and then,C. recovering a water-in-oil emulsion of a water soluble vinyl carboxylic acid polymer.The improvement comprising adjusting the pH of the aqueous phase prior to polymerization to a pH of 4.5-8.0.

Abstract: An improved process for making a Raney copper catalyst which contains from about 2 to 45 weight percent of aluminum on a 100 weight percent total weight basis. Preferably, this catalyst is prepared under low temperature, and/or slow caustic addition conditions from a copper aluminum alloy.

Abstract: An improved process for making acrylamide from a composition of acrylonitrile and water utilizing an improved Raney copper catalyst which contains from about 2 to 45 weight percent of aluminum on a 100 weight percent total weight basis. Preferably, this catalyst is prepared under low temperature, and/or slow caustic addition conditions from a copper aluminum alloy. The process can be practiced continuously for extended periods of time at high reaction rates and high conversion yields even when employing concentrated acrylonitrile starting feeds.

Abstract: Polymerization of maleic anhydride and vinyl acetate is carried out in the presence of a stabilizing agent prepared by copolymerizing maleic anhydride and an alpha-olefin.