Abstract: A range of novel biodegradable aqueous acid cleaning systems for removing limescale from surfaces, especially stainless steel and porcelain surfaces, wherein said system comprises a biodegradable aqueous acid system, said system having a pH of less than 7.0, said system comprising at least one of the following acids: i) iminodiacetic acid; ii) aspartic acid; iii) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of iminodiacetic acid; iv) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of aspartic acid; and v) C2-C10 polycarboxylic acids, said polycarboxylic acids containing a heteroatom in the main chain thereof, said heteroatom being selected from S, O and N; said system optionally comprising mixtures of said acids (i) to (v). The composition preferably comprises a surfactant to optimize the performance of said acid. Additional optional ingredients are selected from thickeners and co-builders and enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: A range of novel biodegradable aqueous acid cleaning systems for removing limescale from surfaces, especially stainless steel and porcelain surfaces, wherein said system comprises a biodegradable aqueous acid system, said system having a pH of less than 7.0, said system comprising at least one of the following acids: i) iminodiacetic acid; ii) aspartic acid; iii) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of iminodiacetic acid; iv) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of aspartic acid; and v) C2-C10 polycarboxylic acids, said polycarboxylic acids containing a heteroatom in the main chain thereof, said heteroatom being selected from S, O and N; said system optionally comprising mixtures of said acids (i) to (v). The composition preferably comprises a surfactant to optimize the performance of said acid. Additional optional ingredients are selected from thickeners and co-builders and enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: Novel thioglycerol derivatives, processes for their manufacture, and optical materials made from such compounds. The thioglycerol derivatives have high concentrations of sulfur relative to compounds conventionally used for optical materials, and thus exhibit high refractive indices without sacrificing processability.

Abstract: Novel thioglycerol derivatives, processes for their manufacture, and optical materials made from such compounds. The thioglycerol derivatives have high concentrations of sulfur relative to compounds conventionally used for optical materials, and thus exhibit high refractive indices without sacrificing processability.

Abstract: A range of novel biodegradable aqueous acid cleaning systems for removing limescale from surfaces, especially stainless steel and porcelain surfaces, wherein said system comprises a biodegradable aqueous acid system, said system having a pH of less than 7.0, said system comprising at least one of the following acids:i) iminodiacetic acid;ii) aspartic acid;iii) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of iminodiacetic acid;iv) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of aspartic acid; andv) C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 polycarboxylic acids,said polycarboxylic acids containing a heteroatom in the main chain thereof, said heteroatom being selected from S, O and N; said system optionally comprising mixtures of said acids (i) to (v).The composition preferably comprises a surfactant to optimize the performance of said acid. Additional optional ingredients are selected from thickeners and co-builders and enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: A process of preparing alkali metal N-acyl amino acids, especially sodium N-acyl sarcosinates. The process of the invention eliminates the use of phosphorus trichloride or thionyl chloride and carboxylic acid chlorides. The process involves reacting the alkali metal N-acyl amino acid directly with a fatty acid at elevated temperatures with constant removal of water generated in the reaction.

Abstract: Facile process for the production of 3-mercaptopropionitrile and 3-mercaptopropionic acid by reacting thiodipropionitrile with alkaline hydrosulfide in the presence of alkaline hydroxide. Acidification of the resulting reaction product with a strong acid, or saponification, yields the desired mercaptopropionic acid, which can be isolated in high yield.

Abstract: A process of stabilizing bleaching agents in a detergent composition using a nonphosphorus-containing biodegradable stabilizer. The process involves incorporating into a detergent composition containing a bleaching agent, a biodegradable compound of the formula ##STR1## in which m is NR' or sulfur; X is SO.sub.3 H or COOH; Y is hydrogen, SO.sub.3 H or COOH; R and R' are, independently, hydrogen, --CH(Z)CH.sub.2 (Z'), --CH(Z)CH(Z')(Z") or --CH.sub.2 COOH; and Z, Z' and Z" are, independently, hydrogen, OH, SO.sub.3 H or COOH; or a sodium, potassium or ammonium salt thereof, in an amount sufficient to stabilize the bleaching agent. Novel detergent compositions containing the biodegradable bleach stabilizers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of isophorone nitrile utilizing solutions of lithium hydroxide or lithium cyanide, solid LiOH or solid LiOH.cndot.H.sub.2 O as a catalyst. The reaction is carried out under precisely controlled temperature conditions and cyanide feed rate profiles to maintain a reasonably constant concentration of non-reacted cyanide, thereby minimizing the formation of undesirable diisophorone, its nitrile derivative(s) and HCN polymers. A polyacidic acid can be used to acidify the batch, followed by filtration to remove the precipitated lithium salt of the acid, and vacuum distillation to remove liberated HCN and excess isophorone. The resulting isophorone nitrile is obtained in high yield and with low impurity content.

Abstract: A process for preparing certain phosphite-isocyanurate oligomers. The process requires the reaction of a trishydroxyalkyl isocyanurate with a tris-organophosphite and, optionally, an alcohol or alkylphenol. The process is promoted by an alkaline catalyst such as sodium methoxide. The oligomeric product is useful as a thermal stabilizer in polymer compositions.

Abstract: Certain phosphite-isocyanurate oligomers and their use as thermal stabilizers in polymer compositions. The phosphite-isocyanurates may be prepared from a tris-hydroxyalkyl isocyanurate by reaction with an organic phosphite such as triphenyl phosphite or tributyl phosphite. Optionally, an alcohol such as decyl alcohol may be employed as a reactant.