Abstract: A method for the in-situ preparation of an ionic comonomer, such as zinc dimethacrylate, dissolved in styrene monomer, for use in production of polystyrene is disclosed. The method generally includes adding comonomer chemical precursors to a solution of styrene and nonionic surfactant. The resulting ionic comonomer may be further dissolved in styrene and polymerized to form a product that may have improved properties.

Abstract: A method for the in-situ preparation of an ionic comonomer from its chemical precursors, prepared in a solution of styrene monomer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ionic comonomer is zirconium methacrylate, Zr(MA)4 or zirconyl methacrylate, ZrO(MA)2, or a combination thereof, and zirconium carbonate hydroxide oxide, ZrCO3(OH)2.ZrO2, and methacrylic acid, CH2?C(CH3)—COOH, are used as precursors used for its in-situ preparation.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting a grafting polymerization initiator with a composition comprising a vinylaromatic monomer and an elastomer under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymeric composition and forming the polymeric composition into an article wherein the article has an Izod impact strength of greater than 2.0 ft. lb./in. A method comprising contacting a grafting polymerization initiator with a vinylaromatic monomer and an elastomer under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymeric composition, wherein the grafting polymerization initiator comprises a peroxyketal.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting at least one metal salt of an organic acid with at least one aromatic compound in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymer, wherein the metal salt of an organic acid comprises a metal and at least one unsaturated organic acid moiety. A composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a metal salt of cinnamic acid. A composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid. An article made from a composition comprising polystyrene and a salt of a fatty acid.

Abstract: A niobium-modified mordenite catalyst can be made from water soluble niobium precursors such as niobium oxalate and ammonium niobate(V) oxalate and can be used in toluene disproportionation reactions. Embodiments can provide a toluene conversion of at least 30 wt % of the toluene feed with selectivity to benzene above 40 wt % of the reaction product composition and to xylenes above 40 wt % of the reaction product composition and non-aromatics selectivity of less than 1.0 wt % of the reaction product composition.

Abstract: A method for the in-situ preparation of an ionic comonomer, such as zinc dimethacrylate, dissolved in styrene monomer, for use in production of polystyrene is disclosed. The method generally includes adding comonomer chemical precursors to a solution of styrene and nonionic surfactant. The resulting ionic comonomer may be further dissolved in styrene and polymerized to form a product that may have improved properties.

Abstract: A rubber-modified polymeric composition having predominately core-shell morphology is disclosed. The rubber-modified polymeric composition can be a polystyrene comprising styrene, polybutadiene, and a high-grafting initiator formed by contacting singlet oxygen with an olefin containing an allylic hydrogen or a diene to form a hydroperoxide or peroxide. The singlet oxygen can be formed by contacting ground state oxygen with a photo catalyst, such a photosensitive dye exposed to light.

Abstract: A method for the in-situ preparation of an ionic comonomer from its chemical precursors, prepared in a solution of styrene monomer is disclosed. In one embodiment, the ionic comonomer is zirconium methacrylate, Zr(MA)4 or zirconyl methacrylate, ZrO(MA)2, or a combination thereof, and zirconium carbonate hydroxide oxide, ZrCO3(OH)2.ZrO2, and methacrylic acid, CH2?C(CH3)—COOH, are used as precursors used for its in-situ preparation.

Abstract: A branched aromatic ionomer is prepared with a first monomer having an unsaturated moiety and a second monomer having an unsaturated moiety and an ionic moiety, wherein the ionic moiety comprises a polyvalent metal with a coordination number greater than its oxidation number. An example of the first monomer is styrene, and the product ionomer can be a variety of general purpose polystyrene. Examples of the second monomer are zirconium methacrylate and titanium methacrylate, which may be co-polymerized with at least 0.5 molar equivalents of methacrylic acid as an in-situ formed ionomeric crosslinker.

Abstract: A method comprising contacting at least one conventional elastomer, at least one singlet oxygen functionalized elastomer (SOFE), and a styrene monomer in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for the formation of a styrenic polymer composition. A method comprising contacting a reaction mixture comprising styrene, polybutadiene, and a photoperoxidized polybutadiene in a reaction zone under conditions suitable for the formation of a polymeric composition, wherein the elastomer particle size distribution in the polymeric composition does not linearly correlate with the elastomer particle size distribution in the reaction mixture. A reactor blended polymer comprising styrene, a conventional elastomer, and a singlet oxygen functionalized elastomer.

Abstract: A method for the dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons to alkenes, such as n-pentene to piperylene and n-butane to butadiene at pressures less than atmospheric utilizing a dehydrogenation catalyst are disclosed. Embodiments involve operating the dehydrogenation reactor at a pressure of 1,000 mbar or less.

Abstract: A method comprising irradiating a donor molecule with light to form an activated donor molecule, contacting the activated donor molecule with an acceptor molecule to form an activated acceptor molecule, and contacting the activated acceptor molecule with a substrate to generate an oxidized substrate, wherein the donor molecule is in the solid phase and the activated acceptor molecule is in the gas phase.