Abstract: Processes for chemically treating mixed aromatic feedstock to form thermoset aromatic resins are provided. The thermoset materials possess high compressive strength and find particular use in load-bearing applications, for example, infrastructure applications, as proppants, and as components in composite materials.

Abstract: A variety of methods are disclosed, including, in one embodiment, a method of making crosslinked aromatic resin beads comprising: contacting a linker agent and a catalyst with an aromatic feedstock at a first temperature effective to react the linker agent with molecules in the aromatic feedstock to form a pre-polymer mixture; combining the pre-polymer mixture with an antisolvent; agitating the pre-polymer mixture and the antisolvent; and heating the pre-polymer mixture and antisolvent to a second temperature to react the pre-polymer mixture to form crosslinked aromatic resin beads, wherein the pre-polymer mixture is dispersed as droplets in the anti solvent.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing materials from heavy feedstocks. In particular, the disclosure provides a chemical process to convert heavy feedstocks with predominant polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules or species, including the residues of petrochemical refining or extraction, into thermoset or thermoplastic materials that can be used alone or as a component in a composite material.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the preparation of diphenyl compounds, especially dimethylbiphenyl compounds, in which there is one methyl group on each ring, and their oxidized analogues. These compounds, and particularly alkylated biphenyl compounds and biphenylcarboxylic acids, alcohols and esters, are useful intermediates in the production of a variety of commercially valuable products, including polyesters and plasticizers for PVC and other polymer compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to catalysts for making sulfur-containing polymeric materials. In particular, the disclosure provides catalysts, and the method of using the same, for making sulfur-containing polymeric materials through inverse vulcanization at a temperature that is lower than 150° C.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the preparation of diphenyl compounds, especially dimethylbiphenyl compounds, in which there is one methyl group on each ring, and their oxidized analogues. These compounds, and particularly alkylated biphenyl compounds and biphenylcarboxylic acids, alcohols and esters, are useful intermediates in the production of a variety of commercially valuable products, including polyesters and plasticizers for PVC and other polymer compositions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for preparing materials from heavy feedstocks. In particular, the disclosure provides a chemical process to convert heavy feedstocks with predominant polyaromatic hydrocarbon molecules or species, including the residues of petrochemical refining or extraction, into thermoset or thermoplastic materials that can be used alone or as a component in a composite material.

Abstract: A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl to form methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl in acetic acid solvent in the presence of a Co(II) acetate catalyst and air, and optionally adding a co-solvent, or adding sodium or potassium acetate, and oxidizing the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl under time and temperature conditions sufficient to form one or more methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s). The mono-carboxylic acids are advantageously isolated and esterified to form biphenyl mono-esters for use as plasticizers.

Abstract: A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) to form methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), which can be esterified to form plasticizers, comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) in acetic acid in the presence of an oxidation catalyst and air under time and temperature conditions sufficient to oxidize the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) into one or more methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products, conducting at least one of (i) adding an antisolvent, or (ii) optimizing a total conversion of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) by oxidation based upon a molar ratio of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl isomers, or (iii) precipitating the methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products by lowering the temperature, or (iv) decreasing the oxidation reaction temperature to enhance conversion of aldehydes over methyl functional groups, so as to limit over-oxidation of the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s), wherein the oxidation reaction is conducted in the absence of bromide-containing cata

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) to form methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), which can be esterified to form plasticizers, comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) in acetic acid in the presence of an oxidation catalyst and air under time and temperature conditions sufficient to oxidize the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) into one or more methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products, conducting at least one of (i) adding an antisolvent, or (ii) optimizing a total conversion of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s) by oxidation based upon a molar ratio of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl isomers, or (iii) precipitating the methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s) products by lowering the temperature, or (iv) decreasing the oxidation reaction temperature to enhance conversion of aldehydes over methyl functional groups, so as to limit over-oxidation of the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl(s), wherein the oxidation reaction is conducted in the absence of bromide-containing cata

Abstract: A process for selective oxidation of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl to form methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s), comprising contacting a solution of dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl in acetic acid solvent in the presence of a Co(II) acetate catalyst and air, and optionally adding a co-solvent, or adding sodium or potassium acetate, and oxidizing the dimethyl-1,1?-biphenyl under time and temperature conditions sufficient to form one or more methyl-1,1?-biphenyl mono-carboxylic acid(s). The mono-carboxylic acids are advantageously isolated and esterified to form biphenyl mono-esters for use as plasticizers.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: A biphenyl diester useful as a plasticizer having the formula (I): wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms and R2 is a methyl group or a phenyl group.

Abstract: In a process for producing methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds, a feed comprising at least one aromatic hydrocarbon selected from the group consisting of toluene, xylene and mixtures thereof is contacted with hydrogen in the presence of a hydroalkylation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a hydroalkylation reaction product comprising (methylcyclohexyl)toluenes and/or (dimethylcyclohexyl)xylenes together with dialkylated C21+ compounds. At least part of the dialkylated C21+ compounds is then removed from the hydroalkylation reaction product to produce a dehydrogenation feed; and at least part of the dehydrogenation feed is dehydrogenated in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst under conditions effective to produce a dehydrogenation reaction product comprising a mixture of methyl-substituted biphenyl compounds.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: A process for making a silica-polyolefin composite. The process has the steps of (a) reacting silica particles and an alkyl halosilane in the presence of a solvent and a catalyst to form silane-functionalized silica particles and (b) reacting the silane-functionalized silica particles with a vinyl-terminated polyolefin. There are other processes for making a silica-polyolefin composites. There are other processes for making metal phosphate-polyolefin composites.

Abstract: Provided are compounds of the following: wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon optionally substituted with an alkyl and/or an OXO-ester, and R2 is a C4 to C14 hydrocarbyl, preferably the residue of a C4 to C14 OXO-alcohol. Also provided are processes for making the compounds and plasticized polymer compositions containing said compounds.

Abstract: A biphenyl diester useful as a plasticizer having the formula (I): wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 5 to 15 carbon atoms and R2 is a methyl group or a phenyl group.