Abstract: A process for producing 1,3-butadiene which comprises feeding a fraction comprising C.sub.4 -paraffins and C.sub.4 -olefins as the main components and being free from isobutene, 1,3-butadiene and C.sub.4 -acetylenes to a dehydrogenation or oxidative dehydrogenation step (step A), where the n-butenes contained therein is converted to 1,3-butadiene; feeding the 1,3-butadiene-containing hydrocarbon fraction thus obtained (fraction C) to an extractive distillation column (column B), in which said fraction C is distilled in an atmosphere of a selective solvent while obtaining a fraction comprising C.sub.

Abstract: In a process for producing butadiene or isoprene having a high purity comprising a step of treating a C.sub.4 or C.sub.

Abstract: A process for preparing a carboxylic acid ester of a dicyclopentadiene by reacting the dicyclopentadiene with carbon monoxide and an alcohol in the presence of a cobalt compound catalyst, characterized by carrying out said reaction in the presence of 0.5 mole or more of a pyridine base per mole of the dicyclopentadiene at a temperature of 130.degree. C. or less at a carbon monoxide pressure of preferably at least 20 kg/cm.sup.2. G to hydroesterify the double bond in the norbornene ring, thereby forming a mono-carboxylate of a dicyclopentadiene, and hydroesterifying the monoesterification product as produced or the isolated monoester to the same reaction conditions as above except that the temperature is 160.degree. C. or less to hydroesterify the remaining double bond of the monoester, thereby forming a dicarboxylate of dicyclopentadiene.

Abstract: An unsaturated polyester was obtained by reacting a polyhydric alcohol with a mixture of an unsaturated polybasic acid and a specific saturated dibasic acid represented by the formula: ##STR1## or the formula: ##STR2## wherein, R.sub.1 to R.sub.10 are each hydrogen or alkyl, R' to R"" are the same or different and each represent hydrogen or ester-exchangeable alkyl, m is 1 or 2, and n is zero or 1. The compositions comprising this polyester and an aromatic vinyl monomer, when hardened in the presence of a catalyst, exhibit a lower shrinkage during the hardening and give molded products with improved resistance to alkalis and to boiling water.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing methacrylic acid ester from methacrylic acid and a lower alcohol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms utilizing sulfuric acid as a catalyst and a hydrophobic solvent to assist in the formation of a heterogeneous reaction mixture, the process being particularly characterized by the steps of reconcentrating and reusing the sulfuric acid.

Abstract: Methacrylic acid is produced from methacrolein by gaseous phase oxidation in a very high selectivity, when methacrolein, molecular oxygen-containing gas and steam in a molar ratio of methacrolein:molecular oxygen:steam of 1:1-3:0-50 are subjected to reaction at a temperature in the range of 250.degree. to 400.degree. C., at a space velocity of 250 to 3,000 hr.sup.-1 (at 0.degree. C. and 1 atm.) with a novel catalyst having the following composition formula in atomic ratio:Mo.sub.a P.sub.b Zr.sub.c V.sub.d Mn.sub.e X.sub.f O.sub.gwherein X represents at least one member selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium, cesium and thallium, and a, b, c, d, e, f or g represents the number of atoms of Mo, P, Zr, V, Mn, X or O, respectively, and when a is 12, b is 0.5 to 5, c is 0.1 to 5, d is 0.05 to 3, e is 0.05 to 1.5, f is 0.1 to 3 and g is 40 to 60; and g is a number sufficient enough to satisfy the valencies of the respective catalyst component elements.

Abstract: A process for purifying a crude isoprene containing polymerization inhibiting materials such as acetylenes and sulfur compounds to produce high purity or polymerization grade isoprene comprising distilling the crude isoprene in the presence of at least one member selected from saturated hydrocarbons containing 6 to 8 carbon atoms, withdrawing the polymerization inhibiting materials as an overhead fraction and obtaining purified isoprene as a bottom fraction.

Abstract: A novel cyclopentadiene derivative of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is hydrogen, a mono- to tetra-hydric alcohol moiety having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a metal of Groups Ia, IIa and IIb of the Periodic Table, an ammonium group or an organic amine residue; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 are independently hydrogen or alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R.sup.a, R.sup.b, and R.sup.c are independently hydrogen or alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms; m is 0 or 1; and n is an integer of 1 to 4. This cyclopentadiene derivative is comparable or even superior to natural rosin in effectiveness as an emulsifier for use in the production of SBR and ABS resins or as a sizing agent in paper making.

Abstract: A novel compound represented by the formula, ##STR1## WHEREIN R is a hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, said four R's being the same or different; R.sup.1 is hydrogen, an alkali metal, an ammonium group, a mono-to tetra-hydric aliphatic alcohol moiety having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, or an organic amine residue; n is an integer of 1 to 4; and R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are independently hydrogen or alkyl groups having 1 to 6 carbon atoms or R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 may form a ring when taken together. Said novel compound has properties similar to those of natural rosin or a disproportionated rosin, and is useful as a vehicle for coating compositions and printing inks, as an emulsifier for emulsion polymerization, and as a sizing agent.