Abstract: Disclosed is a method of increasing the yield of 2,6-NDA which comprises: a) Dissolving a disproportionation reaction product containing a dialkali salt of 2,6-NDA in water and filtering off insoluble matter from the resulting solution; b) Precipitating the monoalkali salt of 2,6-NDA (KHNDA) with CO2; c) Suspending said monoalkali salt in water in a weight ratio higher than 8:1, water: monosalt; and d) Heating at a temperature above 100° C. and at a pressure above 100 psig. The improvements in yield are from about 20% to as high as 45%.

Abstract: The invention described herein provides a process for recycling a mixed polymer recycle stream containing polyester polymers, particularly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) typically in the form of carbonated soft drink or other containers. This novel process includes the steps of: (1) contacting the mixed polymer recycle stream with a solvent which selectively dissolves the PET. (2) separating the selective solvent containing PET from the residual mixed polymer, (3) cooling the selective solvent to precipitate the PET, and (4) removing the selective solvent from the precipitated PET. It is preferable that the mixed polymer recycle stream be prepared for recycling by conventional steps, such as water washing. In a preferred embodiment, the mixed polymer recycle stream is chemically washed subsequent to water washing and prior to contact with the selective solvent. The PET recovered is preferably combined with "virgin" PET and further processed to increase its molecular weight.

Abstract: Polymer compositions comprising .alpha.-olefin polymers and a minor proportion of synthetic basic zeolite are stabilized against the harmful effects of corrosion of metal surfaces when processed through mechanical equipment such as molds and extruders where the composition normally contacts metal surfaces.

Abstract: A lightweight absorbent foam is produced using a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), the production of which incorporates the use of capillary viscosity measurements as an in-line diagnostic for HIPE quality. The in-line diagnostics yield measurements of viscosity slope and amplitude. These measurements offer several advantages for monitoring emulsion quality, including stable high resolution measurement of hardware-independent parameters of the whole flow, without the need for sampling.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties by first advancing one or more of the monomers. All or a portion of the monomers are advanced in the presence of an advancement initiator or a free-radical-producing radiation source for about 5% to about 95% of the time effective to form a solid. Then, a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion is formed with the advanced monomers and optionally additional monomers or the advanced monomers are added to a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion containing other monomers. The emulsions containing the advanced monomers are cured. The process provides an improved method to incorporate volatile monomers in the porous polymeric material.

Abstract: A lightweight absorbent foam is produced using a high internal phase emulsion (HIPE), the production of which incorporates the use of capillary viscosity measurements as an in-line diagnostic for HIPE quality. The in-line diagnostics yield measurements of viscosity slope and amplitude. These measurements offer several advantages for monitoring emulsion quality, including stable high resolution measurement of hardware-independent parameters of the whole flow, without the need for sampling.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties by first advancing one or more of the monomers. All or a portion of the monomers are advanced in the presence of an advancement initiator or a free-radical-producing radiation source for about 5% to about 95% of the time effective to form a solid. Then, a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion is formed with the advanced monomers and optionally additional monomers or the advanced monomers are added to a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion containing other monomers. The emulsions containing the advanced monomers are cured. The process provides an improved method to incorporate volatile monomers in the porous polymeric material.

Abstract: A process for the removal of soluble selenium from aqueous media comprising contacting the aqueous media with a porous support material having exchanged thereon metal ions selected from transition metal ions, alkali earth metal ions and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties or substantially affecting the emulsion by carrying out the curing in multiple-stages. The emulsion is first pre-cured at a temperature less than about 65.degree. C. until the emulsion reaches a Rheometrics dynamic shear modulus of at least about 500 and subsequently curing at a temperature above about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for the production of a stable curable water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion containing monomers as the continuous phase is provided by adding an initiator subsequent to formation of a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion. The process forms uniform stable water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions in a continuous mixing process. These curable water-in-oil high internal phase emulsions are useful for the preparation of low density porous crosslinked polymeric materials.

Abstract: This invention relates to basic compositions comprising a zeolite and an alkali metal compound wherein the sum of the amount of the alkali metal in the compound plus any metal cation exchanged into the zeolite is in excess of that required to provide a fully metal cation-exchanged zeolite. This invention further relates to methods for preparing the instant compositions. In a preferred embodiment the instant compositions are prepared by impregnating a zeolite with a solution of an alkali metal salt wherein said alkali metal impregnated in the zeolite is in excess of that required to exchange out the ion exchangable sites present in the zeolite, drying the resultant impregnated material and then calcining the resultant composition.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of a terminating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to a triply-bound carbon, hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to two doubly-bound carbons and hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to at least 2 aromatic rings, whereing none of said hydrocarbons contain additional aliphatic unsaturation.

Abstract: In a process for the preparation of a low density porous crosslinked polymeric material by polymerizing a water-in-oil high internal phase emulsion, curing time of the monomers in the emulsion can be reduced without adversely affecting polymer properties or substantially affecting the emulsion by carrying out the curing in multiple-stages. The emulsion is first pre-cured at a temperature less than about 65.degree. C. until the emulsion reaches a Rheometrics dymanic shear modulus of at least about 500 and subsequently curing at a temperature above about 70.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst and a process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which first involves the polymerization or copolymerization of such monomers with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The living polymer can be terminated by the addition of hydrogen. Finally, selective hydrogenation of the unsaturable double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer is carried out in the presence of an initiator and at least one rare earth compound of the formula*Cp.sub. MRwhere *Cp is pentamethylcyclopentadiene, M is a rare earth element and R is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention is a two step process for converting linear paraffins to linear alpha olefins. In the first step the paraffins are cracked to a mixture of alpha and internal olefins by use of a cracking catalyst of a zeolite in combination with an alkali(ne earth) metal compound wherein the sum of the amount of the alkali(ne earth) metal in the compound plus any metal cation exchanged into the zeolite is in excess of that required to provide a fully metal cation-exchanged zeolite. The resulting olefin-containing cracked product is then converted to a substantially alpha olefin-containing product by contact with ethylene and a disproportionation catalyst at disproportionation conditions. The resulting products contains only small amounts of aromatics.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the catalytic cracking of parafins to produce olefins in high yield while minimizing production of aromatics. The catalyst used is a zeolite in combination with an alkali(ne earth) metal compound wherein the sum of the amount of the alkali(ne earth) metal in the compound plus any metal cation exchanged into the zeolite is in excess of that required to provide a fully metal cation-exchanged zeolite.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of a terminating agent selected from the group consisting of boranes, ammonia, halogens, hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to a triply-bound carbon or to two doubly-bound carbons and silanes.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of hydrogen which reacts with the living polymer to terminate the polymer chain.

Abstract: This invention is a process for the catalytic cracking of paraffins to produce linear olefins while minimizing production of aromatics and branched olefins. The catalyst used is an alkali(ne-erath) metal oxide, optionally supported on a porous oxidic carrier.

Abstract: This invention relates to a two step process for converting linear paraffins to alpha olefins. The first step comprises contacting said paraffins with a catalyst comprising an oxide an alkali or alkaline earth metal optionally dispersed on a refractory and porous carrier. The product of this process contains only small amounts of aromatics and branched olefins. The cracked product is then converted to an olefin product containing primarily alph olefins by contacting with ethylene and a disproportionation catalyst as disproportionation conditions.