Abstract: This invention relates to a polyolefin copolymer composition produced with a catalyst having a metallocene complex in a single reactor in a process for the polymerization of an &agr;olefin monomer with one or more olefin comonomers, and a molecular weight maximum which occurs in that 50 percent by weight of the composition which has the highest weight percent comonomer content. Preferably, the composition has a comonomer partitioning factor C pf which is equal to or greater than 1.10 or molecular weight partitioning factor M pf which is equal to or greater than 1.15. Preferred composition also have at least 0.01 long chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms along the polymer backbone. These compositions with reverse molecular engineering have superior properties and are easily processable due to the simultaneous presence of the association of high molecular weight with high comonomer content and of long chain branching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polyolefin copolymer composition produced with a catalyst having a metallocene, complex in a single reactor for the polymer of an &agr;-olefin monomer with one or more olefin comonomers, and a molecule weight maximum which occurs in that 50 percent by weight of the composition which has the highest weight percent comonomer content. Preferably, the composition has a comonomer partitioning fact Cpf which is equal to or greater than 1.10 or molecule weight partitioning fact Mpf which is equal to or greater than 1.15. Preferred composition also have at least 0.01 long chain branches per 1000 carbon atoms along the polymer backbone. These compositions with reverse molecular engineering have. superior properties and are easily processable due to the simultaneous presence of the association of high molecular weight with high comonomer content and of long chain branching.

Abstract: Catalyst composition comprising an alloy of at least one noble metal of group VIII of the Periodic Table and at least one metal capable of alloying with the group VIII noble metal, admixed with a component comprising at least one of the metals rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum, used for producing an alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester by reacting hydrogen with a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof.

Abstract: A shaving razor has a blade provided with a sputtered hard coating of the boron carbide and with a fluoropolymer lubricant coating overlying the boron carbide coating and adhering directly thereto. The razor provides good durability and good shave performance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for synthesis of glycerol from formaldehyde, wherein formaldehyde under substantially anhydrous condition is self-condensed in a catalytic step is dihydroxyacetone which is separated from the self-condensation catalyst and hydrogenated catalytically to glycerol.The feature of the invention is to have less than 0.4% w/w of water in the self-condensation reaction mixture thereby improving the process to produce glycerol in commercially viable rates and yields.

Abstract: A shaving razor has a blade provided with a sputtered hard coating of the boron carbide and with a fluoropolymer lubricant coating overlying the boron carbide coating and adhering directly thereto. The razor provides good durability and good shave performance.

Abstract: An improved catalyst comprising a Group VIII noble metal, such as palladium, and rhenium is supported on a high surface area graphitized carbon. In an embodiment the Group VIII metal, e.g., palladium, has an average crystallite size in the range from 30 to 150 Angstroms. A process for making a catalyst is provided in which a support is impregnated with a solution of a Group VIII metal compound, the solvent is removed and the Group VIII metal impregnated support is impregnated with a solution of a rhenium compound using a solvent in which the Group VIII metal compound is insoluble, and thereafter the solvent is removed.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid of formula RCO.sub.2 H, for example acetic acid, is prepared from a formate ester of formula HCO.sub.2 R, for example methyl formate, by heating the ester at elevated temperature with an iridium catalyst, a halide promoter and a strong acid. The strong acid is one having a pKa of not greater than 0 in aqueous media for example a sulphonic acid. Addition of the strong acid to the reaction mixture causes an increase in the rate of conversion of formate ester to carboxylic acid.

Abstract: Ethanol is produced from acetic acid or propanol is produced from propionic acid by contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapor phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (ii) rhenium, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Abstract: An alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester is produced from a carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof by reacting the acid or anhyride with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence as catalyst of a composition comprising an alloy of (i) at least one noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table and (ii) at least one metal capable of alloying with the Group VIII noble metal, optionally including a support and at least one of the metals rhenium, tungsten or molybdenum. The process is particularly applicable to the hydrogenation of monobasic acids, for example acetic acid, and the hydrogenation of maleic acid or maleic anhydride to gamma-butyrolactone.

Abstract: An alcohol and/or an ether is produced from a carboxylic acid ester by reacting the ester with hydrogen at elevated temperature in the presence as catalyst of a composition comprising an alloy of (i) at least one noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements and (ii) at least one metal capable of alloying with the aforesaid Group VIII noble metal.

Abstract: Amines are produced by reacting at elevated temperature a first reactant which is either an alcohol, an aldehyde or a ketone with a second reactant which is either ammonia, a primary or secondary amine or a nitrile in the presence as catalyst of a composition comprising (i) nickel, (ii) ruthenium, and (iii) at least one other transition metal selected from either the second or third row transition metals, for example palladium, rhenium or iridium.

Abstract: An alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester is (are) produced from a C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 carboxylic acid by contacting the carboxylic acid at elevated temperature and pressure with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst characterized in that the catalyst comprises a first component which is either molybdenum or tungsten and a second component which is a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Abstract: Ethanol is produced from acetic acid or propanol is produced from propionic acid by contacting either acetic acid or propionic acid in the vapor phase with hydrogen at elevated temperature and a pressure in the range from 1 to 150 bar in the presence of a catalyst comprising as essential components (i) a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and (II) rhenium, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Abstract: An alcohol and/or a carboxylic acid ester is (are) produced from a C.sub.2 to C.sub.12 carboxylic acid by contacting the carboxylic acid at elevated temperature and pressure with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst characterized in that the catalyst comprises a first component which is either molybdenum or tungsten and a second component which is a noble metal of Group VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements, optionally on a support, for example a high surface area graphitized carbon.

Abstract: Higher carbonyl compounds are prepared from C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 cyclic or acyclic alcohols containing at least one active hydrogen atom bonded to the beta carbon atom or readily convertible thereto under the reaction conditions by reacting the alcohol in the presence as catalyst of ruthenium metal or an oxide thereof supported on a solid support.

Abstract: A carboxylic acid or an ester thereof having at least two carbon atoms more than formic acid is prepared by reacting at elevated temperature e.g. 100.degree. to 250.degree. C. formic acid or a formate ester with an olefin e.g. ethylene in the presence of, as catalyst, a Group VIII noble metal e.g. iridium, preferably promoted by iodide, to cause addition of the formic acid or ester to the olefin and form the a higher acid e.g. propionic acid or ester thereof.A strong acid such as a sulphonic acid may be used as a copromoter. The catalyst is employed in solution.