Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of methyl methacrylate. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) providing a microorganism in a fermentation medium, under conditions which said microorganism will produce a C3-C12 methacrylate ester; b) providing an organic phase in contact with the fermentation medium, said organic phase including C3-C12 methacrylate ester in a higher concentration than that in the fermentation medium; c) removing organic phase containing the said C3-C12 methacrylate ester from contact with the fermentation medium; and d) transesterifying the removed C3-C12 methacrylate ester with methanol, optionally after separation from the organic phase, to produce methyl methacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably ?,ß ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters, by the liquid phase reaction of formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a non-cyclic carboxylic acid ester in the presence of a basic metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of methyl methacrylate. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) providing a microorganism in a fermentation medium, under conditions which said microorganism will produce a C3-C12 methacrylate ester; b) providing an organic phase in contact with the fermentation medium, said organic phase including C3-C12 methacrylate ester in a higher concentration than that in the fermentation medium; c) removing organic phase containing the said C3-C12 methacrylate ester from contact with the fermentation medium; and d) transesterifying the removed C3-C12 methacrylate ester with methanol, optionally after separation from the organic phase, to produce methyl methacrylate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid or ester, preferably ?,? ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or esters, by the liquid phase reaction of formaldehyde or a suitable source thereof with a non-cyclic carboxylic acid ester in the presence of a basic metal salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a snow plow assembly for a vehicle comprising a snow plow frame that is attachable to an associated vehicle. The snow plow blade is attachable to the snow plow frame and has a snow plow surface for use in plowing associated snow. An end gate is pivotally attached to at least one distal end of the snow plow blade. The end gate has a snow plow surface for use in plowing associated snow. A hydraulically operable adjustment mechanism is operatively attached to the snow plow blade and the end gate. The adjustment mechanism releasably secures the end gate in at least three different positions relative to the snow plow blade. A pivotally connected stop assembly means is operably attached to the snow plow blade and the end gate by a hydraulically operable adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A novel bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is described together with a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The group X1 may be defined as a univalent hydrocarbyl radical of up to 30 atoms containing at least one nitrogen atom having a pKb in dilute aqueous solution at 18° C. of between 4 and 14 wherein the said at least one nitrogen atom is separated from the Q2 atom by between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. The group X2 is defined as X1, X3 or X4 or represents a univalent radical of up to 30 atoms having at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom wherein each said univalent radical is joined via said at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom(s) respectively to the respective atom Q2. Q1 and Q2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds including vinyl esters and a process for the production of 3-hydroxy propanoate esters or acids. The process comprises reacting said compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and of a catalyst system. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and (b) a bidentate ligand of general formula (I): X1(X2)-Q2-A-R—B-Q1-X3(X4).

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid or esters thereof by the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid or mixtures thereof in an aqueous reaction medium is described. The decarboxylation is carried out at a temperature in the range from 200° C. and up to 239° C. The methacrylic acid is isolated from the aqueous reaction medium by a purification process which does not include introducing an organic solvent to the aqueous reaction medium for solvent extraction of the methacrylic acid into an organic phase. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters is also described.

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid by the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid or mixtures thereof is described. The decarboxylation is carried out at a temperature in the range from 100 to 199° C. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters is also described.

Abstract: A novel bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is described together with a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The group X1 may be defined as a univalent hydrocarbyl radical of up to 30 atoms containing at least one nitrogen atom having a pKb in dilute aqueous solution at 18° C. of between 4 and 14 wherein the said at least one nitrogen atom is separated from the Q2 atom by between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. The group X2 is defined as X1, X3 or X4 or represents a univalent radical of up to 30 atoms having at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom wherein each said univalent radical is joined via said at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom(s) respectively to the respective atom Q2. Q1 and Q2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.

Abstract: A novel bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is described together with a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The group X1 may be defined as a univalent hydrocarbyl radical of up to 30 atoms containing at least one nitrogen atom having a pKb in dilute aqueous solution at 18° C. of between 4 and 14 wherein the said at least one nitrogen atom is separated from the Q2 atom by between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. The group X2 is defined as X1, X3 or X4 or represents a univalent radical of up to 30 atoms having at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom wherein each said univalent radical is joined via said at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom(s) respectively to the respective atom Q2. Q1 and Q2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.

Abstract: A novel bidentate catalytic ligand of general formula (I) is described. R represents a hydrocarbyl aromatic structure having at least one aromatic ring to which Q1 and Q2 are each linked, via the respective linking group, if present, on available adjacent atoms of the at least one aromatic ring. The groups X3 and X4 represent radicals joined via tertiary carbon atoms to the respective atom Q1 and the groups X1 and X2 represent radicals joined via primary, or substituted aromatic ring carbon atom(s) to the respective atom Q2. A and B represent an optional lower alkylene linking group. Q1 and Q2 each represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising reacting the compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups, optionally, a source of anions and catalyst system obtainable by combining a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof and the bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is also described.

Abstract: A novel bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is described together with a process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds. The group X1 may be defined as a univalent hydrocarbyl radical of up to 30 atoms containing at least one nitrogen atom having a pKb in dilute aqueous solution at 18° C. of between 4 and 14 wherein the said at least one nitrogen atom is separated from the Q2 atom by between 1 and 3 carbon atoms. The group X2 is defined as X1, X3 or X4 or represents a univalent radical of up to 30 atoms having at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom wherein each said univalent radical is joined via said at least one primary, secondary or aromatic ring carbon atom(s) respectively to the respective atom Q2. Q1 and Q2 each independently represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony.

Abstract: A novel bidentate catalytic ligand of general formula (I) is described. R represents a hydrocarbyl aromatic structure having at least one aromatic ring to which Q1 and Q2 are each linked, via the respective linking group, if present, on available adjacent atoms of the at least one aromatic ring. The groups X3 and X4 represent radicals joined via tertiary carbon atoms to the respective atom Q1 and the groups X1 and X2 represent radicals joined via primary, or substituted aromatic ring carbon atom(s) to the respective atom Q2. A and B represent an optional lower alkylene linking group. Q1 and Q2 each represent phosphorus, arsenic or antimony. A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds comprising reacting the compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups, optionally, a source of anions and catalyst system obtainable by combining a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof and the bidentate ligand of general formula (I) is also described.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of a conjugated diene is described. The process comprises the steps of reacting a conjugated diene with carbon monoxide and a co-reactant having an active hydrogen in the presence of a solvent system and a catalyst system. The solvent system comprises a an aromatic carboxylic acid or, under some conditions, any carboxylic acid. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: a. a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and b.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds including vinyl esters and a process for the production of 3-hydroxy propanoate esters or acids. The process comprises reacting said compound with carbon monoxide in the presence of a source of hydroxyl groups and of a catalyst system. The catalyst system is obtainable by combining: (a) a metal of Group 8, 9 or 10 or a compound thereof: and (b) a bidentate ligand of general formula (I): X1(X2)-Q2-A-R—B-Q1-X3(X4).