Abstract: A cyclocarbonylation process for making pyrrolidones under mild temperature and pressure conditions is disclosed. In the process, an allylic amine reacts with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and an amount of a pyridine promoter effective to enhance the yield of pyrrolidone obtained in the process compared with the yield obtained in the absence of the promoter. The process can be used to make N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone from N-methylallylamine.

Abstract: A cyclocarbonylation process for making .gamma.-butyrolactones under mild temperature and pressure conditions is disclosed. In the process, an allylic alcohol reacts with carbon monoxide in the presence of a rhodium carbonyl catalyst and an amount of a pyridine promoter effective to enhance the selectivity of the process for making the .gamma.-butyrolactone product. The process provides a way of making .gamma.-butyrolactone from allyl alcohol as the only C4 product.

Abstract: Graft polymers are prepared by reacting thermoplastic copolymers comprised of alkenyl aromatic monomers and carboxylic acid moieties such as .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated dicarboxylic acid anhydrides with mono-amine functionalized polyoxyalkylene ethers. The graft polymers are useful for the production of formed products such as injection molded articles and in blends or alloys with other thermoplastic resins such as polystyrene.

Abstract: A dispersant for drilling fluids, spacer fluids, cement slurries, completion fluids and mixtures of drilling fluids and cement slurries used for drilling and cementing subterranean wells.

Abstract: Compositions useful as absorbents for organic liquids are disclosed. A diamine or polyamine is reacted with a polymeric resin that contains phosphonic acid groups to produce the absorbent compositions of the invention. Because the polymeric resin component can be combined with the amine either before or after combination with the organic liquid, the absorbents of the invention can be used in many forms. The polymeric resin component can be processed into any desired form (shaped article, solution), and the di- or polyamine can then be added to generate the absorbent in situ. Unlike spent absorbent compositions of the prior art, those of the invention can be converted to pumpable liquids by heating or by adding a gel-breaking agent to liquify the gel. A useful absorbent is recovered from the liquid by precipitation or distillation.

Abstract: Thermoplastic resins of the invention are reaction products of vinyl aromatic/vinyl phosphonic acid copolymers and amine-terminated polymers. The flexible products, which contain ammonium linkages, are surprisingly transparent, and are useful for packaging, as fire-retardant polymers or polymer additives, and as polymer compatibilizers.

Abstract: Flame-retardant, thermoplastic copolymers and processes for making them are disclosed. The compositions are copolymers of a vinyl aromatic monomer, a vinyl phosphonic acid derivative, and optionally, an unsaturated organic diacid, ester, or anhydride that are grafted onto a rubber. Processes for making polymers having high molecular weight, good mechanical properties, and a high level of evenly distributed, chemically incorporated vinyl phosphonate flame retardant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Flame-retardant, thermoplastic copolymers and processes for making them are disclosed. The compositions are copolymers of a vinyl aromatic monomer, a vinyl phosphonic acid derivative, and optionally, an unsaturated organic diacid, ester, or anhydride that are grafted onto a rubber. Processes for making polymers having high molecular weight, good mechanical properties, and a high level of evenly distributed, chemically incorporated vinyl phosphonate flame retardant are also disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions useful as absorbents for organic liquids are disclosed. A diamine or polyamine is reacted with a polymeric resin that contains phosphonic acid groups to produce the absorbent compositions of the invention. Because the polymeric resin component can be combined with the amine either before or after combination with the organic liquid, the absorbents of the invention can be used in many forms. The polymeric resin component can be processed into any desired form (shaped article, solution), and the di- or polyamine can then be added to generate the absorbent in situ. Unlike spent absorbent compositions of the prior art, those of the invention can be converted to pumpable liquids by heating or by adding a gel-breaking agent to liquify the gel. A useful absorbent is recovered from the liquid by precipitation or distillation.

Abstract: Compositions useful as absorbents for organic liquids are disclosed. A diamine or polyamine is reacted with a polymeric resin that contains phosphonic acid groups to produce the absorbent compositions of the invention. Because the polymeric resin component can be combined with the amine either before or after combination with the organic liquid, the absorbents of the invention can be used in many forms. The polymeric resin component can be processed into any desired form (shaped article, solution), and the di- or polyamine can then be added to generate the absorbent in situ. Unlike spent absorbent compositions of the prior art, those of the invention can be converted to pumpable liquids by heating or by adding a gel-breaking agent to liquify the gel. A useful absorbent is recovered from the liquid by precipitation or distillation.

Abstract: Substantially alternating 1:1 copolymers of olefinically unsaturated sulfonate salts such as sodium methallylsulfonate and .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated aliphatic dicarboxylic acid anhydrides such as maleic anhydide are produced by free radical polymerization using a polar non-reactive organic solvent such as acetic acid. The copolymers and their derivatives are useful as water-soluble dispersants.

Abstract: A method for producing polyalkylene carbonates is disclosed. The polymers are prepared by reacting a diol having at least four carbons separating the hydroxyl groups with a diester of carbonic acid in the presence of a catalyst selected from tertiary amines, alkylammonium salts, pyridinium salts, and basic ion-exchange resins that contain active alkylammonium or tertiary amino groups.

Abstract: A process for making thermoplastic copolymer beads from vinyl aromatic monomers and vinyl phosphonic acid derivatives is disclosed. A process for making foamed articles from the beads is also disclosed. The foamed articles are useful for packaging and construction applications.

Abstract: Copolymers of olefinically unsaturated sulfonate salts such as sodium methallylsulfonate and .alpha.,62 -unsaturated dicarboxylic acid imide such as maleimide are produced by free radical polymerization. The copolymers and their derivatives are useful as water-soluble dispersants.

Abstract: Copolymer compositions based on vinyl aromatic monomers and derivatives of vinyl phosphonic acids are disclosed. The copolymer beads of the invention are advantageously used to make foamed articles useful for packaging and construction applications.

Abstract: A method of preparing five- and six-membered cyclic carbonates is disclosed. The process comprises reacting a 1,2- or 1,3-diol with an acyclic diester of carbonic acid in the presence of a catalyst selected from alkylammonium salts, tertiary amines, and ion-exchange resins containing alkylammonium or tertiary amino groups. Cyclic carbonates free of polycarbonate by-products are obtained in high yields.

Abstract: A practical, selective process for preparing oxetanes is disclosed. A 1,3-glycol monosulfate salt is prepared by sulfation and neutralization of the corresponding 1,3-glycol. The neutral monosulfate salt is then reacted with a strong base, resulting in efficient ring closure to the oxetane.

Abstract: A process for recovering crude oil from a subterranean formation comprising injecting into the formation a liquid composition consisting essentially of a specific surfactant in an aqueous medium, driving the liquid composition through said formation to displace oil from said formation and recovering said oil in a production well. The surfactant has the general formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 =C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl or alkylaryl, R.sup.2 =C.sub.2 H.sub.4 or C.sub.3 H.sub.6, R.sup.3 =C.sub.2 H.sub.4 or C.sub.3 H.sub.6, R.sup.4 =C.sub.1 to C.sub.12 alkyl or alkylaryl, R.sup.5 =H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkylaryl, x and y are integers from 0 to 100, and z is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: Stable microemulsion fuel compositions are provided which comprise (a) a hydrocarbon fuel such as diesel fuel, jet fuel, gasoline, or fuel oil; (b) water and/or methanol; and (c) a novel cosurfactant combination of tertiary butyl alcohol and an ionic or nonionic surfactant. The compositions of the invention exhibit a high degree of phase stability even over wide variations of temperature, greatly improved salt tolerance and reduce smoke particulate and NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: H-mordenite has been shown to be unique in its ability to yield a high percentage of para-substitution of monoalkyl benzene by alkylation with long chain alpha-olefins. The process also yields a high percentage of substitution of the alpha-olefin in the 2-carbon position. Minimal side effects, such as dialkylation and transalkylation, are also advantages of the process.