Abstract: Paired electrochemical synthesis reactions in which ethylene glycol is formed at the cathode of a membrane divided cell at high concentrations and current efficiencies, up to 99 percent. Simultaneously, a compatible process is also conducted at the anode of the same electrochemical cell by reacting indirectly generated anode products with organic substrates to form secondary products, such as polybasic acids. The process is especially advantageous in that such secondary products, where appropriate can be further reacted with the ethylene glycol prepared from the catholyte of the same cell to form useful tertiary products, especially polyesters like polyethylene terephthalate. Mole ratios of ethylene glycol and polybasic acid can be controlled through selective use of regeneratable redox reactant.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell including an electrode comprising Magneli phase titanium oxide is disclosed for use with reduction oxidation reactions. The use of the Magneli phase titanium oxide electrode advantageously inhibits certain redox back reactions.

Abstract: Discontinuities, edge sites and grain boundaries in carbons, the primary locations of instabilities for oxidative corrosion and degradation, are prepared by preoxidation to form carbon-oxides followed by highly selective and relatively mild fluorination to specifically substitute carbon-oxygen functionality with stable carbon-fluorine groups. The novel fluorinated carbons have enhanced chemical and/or electrochemical stabilities to corrosion, improved hydrophobicity, lubricating properties, etc.

Abstract: Substrates polluted with toxic substances are treated at their location of contamination, in-situ with solvated electrons prepared chemically or electrochemically. The process is useful in detoxifying inert, non-reducible solvents contaminated with chemically reducible substances.

Abstract: Elemental carbon with or without added oxygen functionality is chemically modified with covalently bonded nitrogen-containing groups to provide novel, high performance elemental carbons for electrochemical cells, including electrodes for energy consuming cells, and especially energy producing cells like lithium-oxyhalide high energy-density batteries, alkaline batteries, and the like.

Abstract: A process for the electrochemical destruction of halogenated organic compounds provides for the reduction of such compounds to levels below 1 ppm with carbonaceous cathodes which are principally amorphous carbon sufficiently graphitized to enhance the rate of the reaction without substantial reduction in stability to electrochemical corrosion.

Abstract: The electrosynthesis of ethylene glycol conducted with a formaldehyde-containing electrolyte provides unexpectedly higher current efficiencies at pH's maintained above about 5 to below about 7. Performance may be improved further through use of electrolytes having high formaldehyde-low methanol concentrations and with oxygen-containing organic compounds. Cell components such as gas diffusion electrodes and oxidized carbon or graphite cathodes also enhance current efficiencies.

Abstract: A process for reducing patient and personnel hazards from exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic procedures, comprising irradiating a photographic emulsion to produce an underexposed radiograph, developing and fixing the radiograph and treating the underexposed processed radiograph in a one-step copper ion image enhancement composition to intensify the image profile to a level at least equivalent to a fully exposed radiograph and subsequently darkening the enhanced image by treatment in a one-step iron ion darkening composition to blacken the image profile. The copper ion image enhancement composition and subsequent iron ion darkening composition produces a darkened or blackened image profile as is found in conventional radiographs and enables a reduction in radiation exposure to patient and personnel up to 50% and more over what is generally regarded as the usual level of radiation for a given diagnostic radiographic examination.

Abstract: A process for reducing patient and personnel hazards from exposure to X-radiation during diagnostic procedures, comprising irradiating a photographic emulsion to produce an underexposed radiograph, developing and fixing the radiograph and treating the underexposed processed radiograph in a one-step copper ion image enhancement composition to intensify the image profile to a level at least equivalent to a fully exposed radiograph. The copper ion image enhancement composition enables a reduction in radiation exposure to patient and personnel up to 50% and more over what is generally regarded as the usual and permissible level of radiation for a given diagnostic radiographic examination.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for the electrochemical acyloxylation of aromatic compounds ring-substituted with an electron-withdrawing moiety and having a replaceable nuclear hydrogen. An anhydrous liquid comprising the aromatic substrate and the anion of a strong carboxylic acid provided by a strong carboxylic acid or the salt of a strong carboxylic acid is electrolyzed to produce a nuclear-substituted acyloxy derivative of the aromatic substrate wherein the acyloxy group replaces a nuclear hydrogen.