Abstract: A continuous process for making N,N-dimethylacrylamide (NNDMA) is disclosed which uses a commodity chemical, namely vinyl chloride (VCl), which is amidated with dimethylamine (DMA) and carbon monoxide in the presence of a supported palladium(O) triorganophosphine catalyst used under conditions where the ratio of P/Pd is critical. The continous process unexpectedly provides the catalyst with long life because the reaction can be carried out in a moving bed of catalyst in the presence of enough acetonitrile solvent to prevent deposition of DMA.HCl, formed during the reaction, in the pores of the catalyst support.

Abstract: The partially fluorinated alkene 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methyl-1-butene is produced by the selective dehydrochlorination of 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-methylbutane in the presence of a suitable base at elevated temperatures. The alkene is converted to 1,2-epoxy-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methylbutane which is polymerizable in the presence of an aluminum coordination catalyst. A copolymer can be made with epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: Polymers prepared from vinylidene fluoride having controlled molecular weights and sulfate end groups are described. The sulfate end group can be displaced with acrylic-type acids to produce the corresponding acrylate terminated poly(vinylidene fluoride) macromolecular monomers. These macromolecular monomers can be copolymerized with acrylates that give rubbery homopolymers to form thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Polymers prepared from vinylidene fluoride having controlled molecular weights and sulfate end groups are described. The sulfate end group can be displaced with acrylic-type acids to produce the corresponding acrylate terminated poly(vinylidene fluoride) macromolecular monomers. These macromolecular monomers can be copolymerized with acrylates that give rubbery homopolymers to form thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: Poylmers prepared from vinylidene fluoride having controlled molecular weights and sulfate end groups are described. The sulfate end group can be displaced with acrylic-type acids to produce the corresponding acrylate terminated poly(vinylidene fluoride) macromolecular monomers. These macromers can be copolymerized with acrylates that give rubbery homopolymers to form thermoplastic elastomers.

Abstract: The partially fluorinated alkene 4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methyl-1-butene is produced by the selective dehydrochlorination of 3-chloro-1,1,1-trifluoro-3-methylbutane in the presence of a suitable base at elevated temperatures. The alkene is converted to 1,2-epoxy-4,4,4-trifluoro-2-methylbutane which is polymerizable in the presence of an aluminum coordination catalyst. A copolymer can be made with epichlorohydrin.

Abstract: Polyarylene polyethers ("PAPE") with vinyl chain ends may be crosslinked to form networks with excellent physical and chemical properties except they tend to be brittle. In particular, a polysulfone ("PSU" made from bisphenol A and dichlorodiphenyl sulfone) with vinylbenzyl chain ends ("di-VB-PSU") is too brittle for many applications where impact resistance is essential. This brittleness is combatted by inserting a thermally stable rubbery poly(dimethylsiloxane) ("PDMS") segment having a number average molecular weight in the range from about 600 to about 5000 connected to di-VB-PSU segments by hydrosilylation in the presence of a Pt catalyst, to form a thermoplastic linear predominantly triblock oligomer with vinylbenzyl chain ends which are thermally crosslinkable.

Abstract: The melt viscosity of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride is reduced by blending it with small amounts of low molecular weight polystyrene type polymers. Such blends also exhibit good mechanical compatibility.

Abstract: When two 4-naphthoxyphenyl moieties are connected through a polar linking group, Y, it does not interfere with an oxidation process which results in dehydrogenative polymerization to yield polyarylene polyether (PAPE) polymers having a weight average mol wt greater than 10,000. Homo- and copolymers having a repeating unit in which a 4,4'-di(1-naphthoxyphenyl) moiety is connected through its phenyl rings to a bivalent polar residue are described. A specific monomer is selected from the group consisting of 4,4'-di(1-naphthoxy)diphenyl sulfone (DNDPS, Y=SO.sub.2) and, 4,4'-di(1-naphthoxy)benzophenone (DNBP, Y=CO). Because the process provides thermoplastic PAPE polymers having a Tg in the range from about 250.degree. C. to about 350.degree. C. with excellent physical properties, the polymers are suitable for use in the fabrication of composites for aerospace vehicles subjected to elevated temperatures.

Abstract: An alkane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield unsaturated hydrocarbons and chlorinated saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the process, ethane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield vinyl chloride, ethylene, and other valuable by-products. The conversion of ethane to products approaches 100 percent, vinyl chloride is prepared in up to 40 mole percent yield, and the combined yield of vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, ethyl chloride, and ethylene is up to 90 mole percent.

Abstract: An alkane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield unsaturated hydrocarbons and chlorinated saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the process, ethane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield vinyl chloride, ethylene, and other valuable by-products. The conversion of ethane to products approaches 100 percent, vinyl chloride is prepared in up to 40 mole percent yield, and the combined yield of vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, ethyl chloride, and ethylene is up to 90 mole percent.

Abstract: An alkane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield unsaturated hydrocarbons and chlorinated saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons. In a preferred embodiment of the process, ethane is reacted with oxygen and available chlorine in the presence of a solid solution catalyst containing iron cations to yield vinyl chloride, ethylene, and other valuable by-products. The conversion of ethane to products approaches 100 percent, vinyl chloride is prepared in up to 40 mole percent yield, and the combined yield of vinyl chloride, ethylene dichloride, ethyl chloride, and ethylene is up to 90 mole percent.

Abstract: A devulcanized rubber composition is disclosed which is obtained by low temperature phase transfer catalyzed devulcanization of commercial scrap rubber, such as a vulcanized polyisoprene rubber, butadiene-styrene rubber, cis-polybutadiene rubber used for vehicle tires. The devulcanized rubber of this invention is distinguishable from conventional reclaim rubber in that devulcanized rubber is substantially free of polysulfide crosslinks which are selectively broken during the process of this invention with negligible main chain scission.A process for devulcanization of scrap rubber is disclosed comprising (a) comminuting the scrap to obtain vulcanizate particles in the size range from about 325 U.S. Standard mesh (44 microns) to about 6 mesh (3.36 mm), (b) swelling the vulcanizate particles with an organic solvent having dissolved therein a predetermined concentration of an onium salt, and (c) contacting the vulcanizate particles, at a temperature below about 150.degree. C.