Abstract: Methods for making activated carbon-supported transition metal-based nanoparticles include (a) impregnated activated carbon with at least one transition metal-containing compound, and (b) heating the impregnated activated carbon at a temperature and for a time sufficient to carbothermally reduce the transition metal-containing compound. Also disclosed are activated carbon-supported transition metal-based nanoparticles produced by such methods. Further disclosed are methods for treating water and waste streams that include contacting the water or waste streams with the activated carbon-supported transition metal-based nanoparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing a salt from a source solution is provided. The apparatus comprises a feed vessel, a collection vessel, and an ion transport channel in ionic communication with the feed vessel and the collection vessel. A plurality of electrodes is arranged along the ion transport channel. The method comprises receiving the source solution in a feed vessel, receiving the sink solution in a collection vessel, and applying periodic voltage signals to a plurality of electrodes arranged along an ion transport channel which is in ionic communication with the feed vessel and the collection vessel. The periodic voltage signals applied to at least some of the respective electrodes are phase offset to induce the ions to move through the ion transport channel from the source solution to the sink solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method isolating ion generation from target metal precipitation and flocculation rely on an ion generator and a precipitation reactor distinct, separated, optimized, and otherwise independent from each other as to flow regime and contained fluid at all times. No co-habitation of ion generation and precipitation nor their flow regimes is permitted in a single unit. Plug flow at hyper turbulence in the ion generator contrasts with quiescent to laminar flows in the precipitation reactor. Coating sacrificial anodes is avoided by avoiding over driving currents for ionization at the anode. A precipitation reactor is optimized by a dwell time effective to precipitate and flocculate heavy target metal precipitants and sacrificial ions relying on weak forces not tolerated by inertial forces in the ion generator.

Abstract: A system for removing minerals from a brine using electrodialysis. One system includes a gypsum removal system configured to receive a feed stream having a first amount of gypsum, to extract at least a portion of the gypsum from the feed stream, and to produce a first output having a second amount of the gypsum less than the first amount of the gypsum. The system also includes an electrodialysis (ED) system fluidly coupled to the gypsum removal system and configured to receive the first output from the gypsum removal system, to produce a second output having a substantially sulfate hardness free sodium sulfate solution, to produce a third output having a sodium chloride solution, and to produce a fourth output having a mineral solution.

Abstract: A system for delivering disinfectant or other chemicals to effluent or water within a containment vessel, such as a wastewater storage tank. The invention includes a mounting bracket or housing; a rotor rotationally connected to the mounting bracket; a shaft connecting the rotor to the mounting bracket; a pump connected to the shaft, the pump having a casing and a rotor assembly; a container; and an tube having a first end within the container and a second end outside the container, a portion of the tube positioned within the pump and in contact with the rotor assembly.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water treatment composition comprising blended phosphates which exhibit a synergistic effect for corrosion and scale control and as a sequestering chemical treatment of potable water and more particularly to chemistry which lowers the phosphate concentration necessary to achieve effective corrosion prevention. The composition controls corrosion and cleans the water distribution line by removing scale, tuberculation, and biofilm. Sequestration of the heavy metals and soft metals such as iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium provides complete solubility of the material to be removed from the metal surface. The inclusion of citric acid with the blended phosphate formula improves drinking water quality in 2 ways: 1) a reducing agent reverses the oxidation of metals which would convert metal to metal salts (copper/lead, etc.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of wastewater, commonly known as nejayote, from the nixtamal, masa and tortilla industry, having an improved method for removing the insoluble fraction and a filtration system for separating and concentrating the fractions forming the nejayote is described. The method includes the steps of: (a) neutralizing the nejayote; (b) enzymatically hydrolyzing the starch granules; and (c) flocculating and separating the insoluble fraction. The system includes the steps of (a) microfiltration; (b) ultrafiltration for concentrating long-chain carbohydrates; (c) ultra/nano filtration for concentrating medium-size compounds; and (d) nanofiltration/reverse osmosis for concentrating small molecules and obtaining water of sufficient quality that it can be re-used or safely discharged into the environment.

Abstract: The claims define a submerged combustion melter comprising a submerged combustion burner (1) comprising three concentric tubes, all being closed at one end and open at the same opposite end, the internal tube (3) being connected to a source of oxygen containing gas (7), the middle tube (9) surrounding the internal tube (3) being connected to a source of fuel gas (11), and the outer tube (15) being connected to a source (19) of oxygen containing gas. The claims are also directed to a method of introducing a flame and/or combustion products into a melt from a submerged combustion burner and also directed to the use of the burner as a submerged combustion burner in a melter.

Abstract: A glass forming apparatus for processing molten glass is disclosed comprising a delivery vessel for delivery molten glass to a forming body through a delivery conduit, the delivery conduit comprising a first portion have a circular cross-sectional shape, a second portion comprising a circular cross-sectional shape and a third portion comprising a non-circular cross-sectional shape. The delivery conduit further comprises a first transition portion coupling the second portion to the third portion, and a second transition portion coupling the third portion to an inlet of a trough in a forming body. Neither an inside bottom surface of the third portion, nor an inside bottom surface of the second transition portion, is lower than a bottom surface of the forming body trough. A method of processing molten glass is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming laminated sheet glass comprises a first upper pipe and a lower pipe and an adjustment mechanism comprising first and second first-upper-pipe suspension rods supported by a first horizontally extending support member, third and fourth first-upper-pipe suspension rods supported by a second horizontally extending support member the first upper pipe supported, directly or indirectly, by the first, second, third, and fourth first-upper-pipe suspension rods, a first and second lower-pipe suspension rod supported by the first horizontally extending support member and a third and fourth lower-pipe suspension rod and supported by the second horizontally extending support member, lower pipe supported, directly or indirectly, by the first, second, third, and fourth lower-pipe suspension rods, each respective rod suspended so as to be horizontally adjustable and independently vertically adjustable.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods of forming hollow spheres are provided. Hollow sphere forming apparatus incorporate a bubble forming nozzle assembly in which outlets for gas and liquid materials are disposed substantially coaxially. The relative positions of the gas and liquid outlets are adjustable in at least one dimension (e.g., axially, radially or angularly relative to each other), such that a more uniform annular exit region for the gas and liquid outlets may be configured, such that more symmetric bubbles may be formed thus reducing the rejection rate in solidified bubbles due to asymmetry or decentering of entrapped gas.

Abstract: Apparatus (54) for positioning performed glass sheets for further forming includes positioners (55) that are moved slower than the speed of glass sheet conveyance to provide rotational adjustment of a glass sheet into alignment above a forming mold (52) under the operation of a controller (78). The forming mold (52) is moved upwardly for the forming in a pressing manner against a downwardly facing upper mold (58).

Abstract: An apparatus for breaking glass panels comprises a table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. A glass-breaking device comprises a frame mounted to the table having a support surface for supporting a glass panel. An impacting tool is operatively connected to the frame, the impacting tool being displaceable between a retracted position in which a tip of the impacting tool is below a plane of the support surface, and an impacting position in which the tip projects above the plane of the support surface to impact a glass panel on the support surface of the table. An actuator is actuatable to cause a displacement of the impacting tool from the retracted position to the impacting position.

Abstract: An optical fiber base material machining method for forming spindle-shaped portions at ends of the optical fiber base material by severing the optical fiber base material after reducing an outer diameter of the optical fiber base material to a predetermined target outer diameter at a predetermined machining position, comprising: reducing the outer diameter to a predetermined intermediate outer diameter between the outer diameter before the machining and the target outer diameter at the machining position; flame polishing a surface of the optical fiber base material in a region including the machining position; and further reducing the outer diameter of the optical fiber base material.

Abstract: Optical preforms and methods for forming optical preforms are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for producing an optical preform includes compressing silica-based glass soot to form a porous optical preform comprising a soot compact. The porous optical preform is heated to a dwell temperature greater than or equal to 100° C. Thereafter, the porous optical preform is humidified at the dwell temperature in a water-containing atmosphere having a dew point greater than or equal to 30° C. to form a humidified porous optical preform. The soot compact portion of the humidified porous optical preform generally comprises greater than or equal to 0.5 wt. % water.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing quartz glass, wherein (a) an appropriate liquid starting material is evaporated by spraying it into a vertically arranged evaporation chamber, (b) the vaporous starting material is oxidized to form SiO2, and the SiO2is collected. The method is characterized in that the starting material to be evaporated is sprayed in on the bottom of the evaporation chamber and the vaporous starting material is removed at the top end of the evaporation chamber, wherein the evaporation chamber is designed such that components depositing in the chamber accumulate on the bottom of the evaporator and are sprayed once again, as well as an evaporator for applying the method.

Abstract: A bismuth-based glass composition includes as a glass composition, in terms of mass %, 55% to 80% of Bi2O3, 15% to 35% of SiO2, 0% to less than 3% of ZrO2, 0% to 5% of B2O3, and 0% to less than 8% of ZnO, and has a mass ratio SiO2/ZrO2 of more than 6.7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultraviolet-absorbing glass article containing, as represented by mass % based on oxides, as a glass matrix composition: SiO2: 66 to 75%, Na2O: 10 to 20%, CaO: 5 to 15%, MgO: 0 to 6%, Al2O3: 0 to 5%, K2O: 0 to 5%, FeO: 0.2 to 1.2%, total iron as represented by Fe2O3: 2.4 to 4%, and TiO2: more than 0% and 1% or less, containing from 50 to 400 mass ppm of CoO, containing from 0 to 70 mass ppm of Se, containing from 0 to 800 mass ppm of Cr2O3, having a total content of CoO, Se and Cr2O3 of less than 0.1 mass %, and having an ultraviolet transmittance (TUV) (ISO9050:2003) of 2% or less at a thickness of 3.5 mm.

Abstract: To provide a colored glass plate of which the mass ratio of divalent iron as calculated as Fe2O3 to total iron as calculated as Fe2O3 can be stably maintained at a high level while amber coloring derived from salt cake (Na2SO4) is suppressed by reducing the amount of salt cake used as a refining agent, and which has less bubbles regardless of a small amount of total sulfur as calculated as SO3. A colored glass plate which is made of alkali-containing silica glass containing iron, tin and sulfur, wherein, as represented by mass % based on oxides, the proportion of total sulfur as calculated as SO3 is less than 0.025%, the proportion of divalent iron as calculated as Fe2O3 to total iron as calculated as Fe2O3 is at least 45%, the proportion of divalent tin as calculated as SnO2 to total tin as calculated as SnO2 is at least 0.1% as represented by mol %, and ?-OH is at least 0.15 mm?1.

Abstract: Method for treating antireflection coatings on an optical substrate (17) involves a stage for carrying out the physical vacuum-deposit of a fluorinated polymer-containing layer having a low refractive index and is characterized in that the stage includes in deposing a silicium or magnesium fluoride/fluorinated polymer hybrid layer (21d) by simultaneous vacuum evaporation of silicium or magnesium fluoride and the fluorinated polymer, In a preferred embodiment, the fluorinated polymer is embodied in the form of a polymer or tetrafluorethylen polymer and the components are evaporated by a Joule effect or by electron bombardment. The method is advantageously used for improving the adherence of a low refractive index layer to a subjacent layer of a pile of antireflection coatings which is deposited on any optical substrate or the inventive substrate. The substrate produced by the method and a device for carrying out the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of powder coating glass to block light are described herein. The method includes preheating a glass item and applying two or three coats of powder, alternating with heating at desired temperatures and/or for a set time. The glass article may be a glass window or a container for holding items that must be stored or transported without being exposed to light.

Abstract: Certain example embodiments relate to coated articles with sequentially activated low-E coatings, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, one or more infrared reflecting layers is/are activated via a non-equilibrium preconditioning activation that uses photons with specific frequencies/frequency ranges, followed by a more equilibrium thermal activation. The preconditioning activation aids in rearranging the silver atoms to energetically favorable positions, while helping to avoid their unwanted agglomeration. The more equilibrium thermal stage of activation aids in aligning the chemical potentials of the layers of the stack and in further densification of the preconditioned silver layer. Doing so, in turn, helps to reduce the likelihood of stresses building-up in the coating, the formation of point and dimensional defects, other unwanted efficiency-reducing phenomena, and/or the like.

Abstract: Transparent glass-to-glass hermetic seals are formed by providing a low melting temperature sealing glass along a sealing interface between two glass substrates and irradiating the interface with laser radiation. Absorption by the sealing glass and induced transient absorption by the glass substrates along the sealing interface causes localized heating and melting of both the sealing glass layer and the substrate materials, which results in the formation of a glass-to-glass weld. Due to the transient absorption by the substrate material, the sealed region is transparent upon cooling.

Abstract: A hydraulic binder which includes a clinker with a specific shape, the clinker including as main phases, given as weight percentages relative to the total weight of the clinker: (i) 70 to 95% of a belite phase having a particle size such that the Dv50 ranges from 5 to 15 ?m; (ii) 5 to 30% of a calcium aluminoferrite phase; and (iii) less than 5% of minor phases; the clinker having an Al2O3/Fe2O3 weight ratio of less than 1.5; and the clinker including less than 5% of alite phase and less than 5% of calcium sulphoaluminate phase; and at least 0.5% dry weight of an activator made of calcium sulphate, as a weight percentage relative to the total weight of phases (i) to (iii).

Abstract: It is described an integrated process for the production of clinker by dry process, with treatment in continuous of by-pass dusts produced by the kiln, wherein the solid matter to treat consists of bypass dusts of a clinker production process, containing compounds of chloride, sodium, potassium and sulphur, such a process comprising the following steps: a) extraction of the bypass dusts directly from the phase of quench, without intermediate storage, at a temperature comprised between 150 and 200° C., with a moisture content varying from 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, and with a quantity of calcium carbonate lower than 55% by weight; b) mixing of said dusts coming from step a), within a maximum time comprised between 2 and 10 minutes, preferably lower than about 5 minutes, with water up to a water/dusts ratio varying from 2:1 to 4:1, preferably from 2.5:1 to 3.

Abstract: There are provided gypsum panels, sheets and multi-layer sheets as well as methods of preparation thereof. For example, there are provided cellulose filament-reinforced gypsum panels, sheets and multi-layer sheets and methods of preparation thereof. For example, in such gypsum panels, sheets and multi-layer sheets gypsum is bound with cellulose filaments to strengthen the gypsum panels, sheets and multi-layer sheets. The cellulose filament-reinforced gypsum panel can be, for example, a core comprising a honeycomb or corrugated structure. There are also provided aqueous suspensions comprising cellulose filaments and CaSO4.2H2O.

Abstract: A hydraulic composition includes in relative parts by mass with respect to the cement 100 parts of cement the particles of which have a BET specific surface area comprised from 1.20 to 5 m2/g; 32 to 42 parts of water; 5 to 50 parts of a mineral addition A1 the particles of which have a D50 less than or equal to 6 ?m and selected from silica fume, metakaolin, slag, pozzolans or mixtures thereof; 90 to 230 parts of sand the particles of which have a D50 greater than or equal to 50 ?m and a D90 less than or equal to 3 mm; 0.0001 to 10 parts of a superplasticizer, the active material concentration of which is 15% by mass.

Abstract: Use of a geopolymer in a coating composition for a building construction component, a coated component for use in building construction wherein the coating comprises a geopolymer, a method of coating a component comprising applying a curable geopolymer mixture to a surface of the component and curing the mixture to form a cured geopolymer coating, and the use of a geopolymer as a mortar.

Abstract: A process to inert non-swelling clays in at least one mineral component intended for the preparation of a hydraulic composition, including the addition, to the hydraulic composition, to the mineral component or to one of the other constituents of the hydraulic composition, of an organic molecule having a cationic charge density strictly less than 0.5 meq/g and including at least two atoms each being capable of forming at least one hydrogen bond.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and using plasma is provided. An embodiment comprises a plasma generating unit that comprises beta-phase aluminum oxide. A precursor material is introduced to the plasma generating unit and a plasma is induced from the precursor material. The plasma may be used to deposit or etch materials on a semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: The present invention is related to the development of a new formulation of electrical grade porcelain having improved mechanical and dielectric characteristics, and whose primary application is in electrical components, such as electric insulators. This invention has as its main object to provide a new alternative to increase the final properties of an electrical grade porcelain, which is related to the incorporation of suitable concentrations of nanosized ceramic oxides, as part of the initial composition of porcelain paste. This new nanotechnology alternative favors an increase in the final properties of electrical grade porcelain, such as flexural strength or cold rupture modulus, as well as dielectric strength, which is due to the incorporation of ceramic oxides such as alumina (?-Al2O3) and zirconia (ZrO2), in micrometer scale (i.e., less than 100 nanometers), favorably modify the microstructure of the base porcelain.

Abstract: Processes for making carbon/carbon parts are provided. The process involves compression, carbonization and densification steps. Pressure may be applied to a fibrous preform prior to the carbonization step at a temperature less than an exothermic temperature to increase the fiber volume ratio of the fibrous preform. The densification steps may include filling the voids of the fibrous preform with a carbon matrix.

Abstract: A technique of heating a mixture of fibers that includes sacrificial fibers and carbon fiber precursor fibers to a temperature between about 170° C. and about 400° C., such that the sacrificial fibers are substantially removed and a plurality of channels remain in a preform precursor, and carbonizing the carbon fiber precursor fibers to form a porous carbon fiber preform. Also disclosed is a technique of heating a mixture of fibers that includes sacrificial fibers and carbon fibers to a temperature between about 170° C. and about 400° C., such that the sacrificial fibers are substantially removed and a plurality of channels remain, and infiltrating a densifying agent into at least the plurality of channels. Also disclosed is an article including a mixture of fibers that includes sacrificial fibers and carbon fiber precursor fibers or carbon fibers.

Abstract: The encapsulated sustained release urea fertilizer is a urea fertilizer and a stabilizer encapsulated in fumed silica. The stabilizer may be a gellan gum hydrogel or biochar. The encapsulated sustained release urea fertilizer allows for both immediate and sustained nitrogen release over time and displays reduced nitrogen volatilization and increased water holding capacity.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a catalyst composite comprising the following steps: a). selecting a molecular sieve having pores of 10- or more-membered rings b). contacting the molecular sieve with a metal silicate different from said molecular sieve comprising at least one alkaline earth metal and one or more of the following metals: Ga, Al, Ce, In, Cs, Sc, Sn, Li, Zn, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ti and V, such that the composite comprises at least 0.1 wt % of silicate.

Abstract: A method for the purification of an aromatic hydrocarbon process stream having phenol therein is disclosed. Aspects of the method include contacting at least a portion of the aromatic hydrocarbon process stream with a hydrogenation catalyst under hydrogenation conditions to provide a hydrogenation effluent having a lower concentration of phenol than said aromatic hydrocarbon process stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the conversion of acyclic C5 feedstock to a product comprising cyclic C5 compounds, such as, for example, cyclopentadiene, and catalyst compositions for use in such process. The process comprises the steps of contacting said feedstock and, optionally, hydrogen under acyclic C5 conversion conditions in the presence of a catalyst composition to form said product. The catalyst composition comprising a microporous crystalline aluminosilicate having a constraint index in the range of 3 to 12, a Group 10 metal, and, optionally, a Group 11 metal, in combination with a Group 1 alkali metal and/or a Group 2 alkaline earth metal.

Abstract: Improved methods of oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of short chain alkanes or ethylbenzene to the corresponding olefins, and improved methods of oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) to ethylene and/or ethane, are disclosed. The disclosed methods use boron- or nitride-containing catalysts, and result in improved selectivity and/or byproduct profiles than methods using conventional ODH or OCM catalysts.

Abstract: Olefins may be recovered from a methanol to olefins reactor effluent by initially feeding the effluent to an absorber demethanizer to contact the effluent with an absorbent to recover an overheads including methane and ethylene and a bottoms including the absorbent, ethylene, and ethane. The bottoms are separated to recover an ethylene fraction and an ethane fraction. The overheads are cooled and partially condensed in a first heat exchanger to a temperature of ?40° C. or greater. The resulting stream, or a portion thereof, may be further cooled and condensed via indirect heat exchange with a mixed refrigerant to a temperature of less than ?40° C. The non-condensed vapors are separated from the condensed liquids to form a liquid fraction and a methane fraction. The liquid fraction is fed to the absorber demethanizer as reflux, and the methane and ethane fractions combined to form the mixed refrigerant.

Abstract: At least one pH-sensitive component may contact a refinery stream for measuring the pH of the refinery stream. A light from a light source may be emitted onto the pH-sensitive component, and a detector may detect a first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement radiated from the pH-sensitive component. A first pH of the refinery stream may be determined from the first luminescence or color change of chromophore measurement.

Abstract: In the halogenation reaction of organic olefin compounds, an excess amount of halogen gas (fluorine, chlorine, vaporized bromine and iodine, or their combination) is normally used in order to achieve as complete as possible conversion of the organic starting material. In a conventional process, the excess halogen gas in the off-gas stream is scrubbed by caustic solution which increases the consumption of halogen and generates waste for disposal. The present invention provides a novel process to recover and reuse the excess halogen gas and thus reduce the operating cost of the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fluorination process, comprising: an activation stage comprising contacting a fluorination catalyst with an oxidizing agent-containing gas flow for at least one hour; and at least one reaction stage comprising reacting a chlorinated compound with hydrogen fluoride in gas phase in the presence of the fluorination catalyst, so as to produce a fluorinated compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a-iodoperfluoroalkanes and ?,?-diiodoperfluoroalkanes of general formula: (1) A(C2F4)n1, wherein: A is selected from F, CF3 and I and n is an integer equal to or higher than 1, with the proviso that, when A is F, n is an integer higher than 1 said process comprising heating a mixture [mixture (M1)] containing: —a compound selected from I2, CF3I, CF3CF2I and C2F4I2; —TFE; —and CO2 at definite temperatures and concentrations of CO2.

Abstract: Provided are azeotropic or azeotrope-like mixtures of 1,1,3,3-tetrachloroprop-1-ene (HCO-1230za) and hydrogen fluoride. Such compositions are useful as feed stock in the production of HFC-245fa and HCFO-1233zd.

Abstract: Provided are methods and materials for the functionalization of a heteroalkane or arene using an oxidizing electrophile as a stoichiometric agent or catalyst. The reaction involves the replacement of a hydrogen atom on an sp3-hybridized carbon atom of the heteroalkane or of a hydrogen atom on an sp2-hybridized carbon atom of the arene. A main group element organometallic intermediate is formed that undergoes further conversion to a functionalized heteroalkane or arene.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of purified dimethylether (DME). Methanol is dehydrated to provide a first DME-containing product. The first DME-containing product is purified in a two-stage process. The invention also provides an apparatus arranged to carry out said process.

Abstract: Device and methods for use in a biosensor comprising a multisite array of test sites, the device and methods being useful for modulating the binding interactions between a (biomolecular) probe or detection agent and an analyte of interest by modulating the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor. An electrochemically active agent that is suitable for use in biological buffers for changing the pH of the biological buffers. Method for changing the pH of biological buffers using the electrochemically active agents. The methods of modulating the binding interactions provided in a biosensor, analytic methods for more accurately controlling and measuring the pH or ionic gradient near the electrodes in such biosensor, and analytic methods for more accurately measuring an analyte of interest in a biological sample.

Abstract: A method for preparing high-content conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) through purification of vegetable oil includes alcoholysis, purification and isomerization of vegetable oil. Alcoholysis is for preparing corresponding methyl ester or ethyl ester with glyceride; purification of methyl ester or ethyl ester is for obtaining methyl linoleate or ethyl linoleate of content over 85% through silver-based silica gel column chromatography; high-content CLA is obtained after alkali-catalyzed conjugation of methyl linoleate or ethyl linoleate, and CLA products are prepared as needed. This invention changes the status quo of preparing high-content CLA with safflower oil alone, expands sources of CLA, and develops an efficient technology for separation and purification of linoleic acid. The CLA obtained is of high purity and meets applications in pharmaceutical, health care products and other industries.

Abstract: Catalytic process for preparing an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt, comprising reacting an alkene and carbon dioxide in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst and releasing the ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid salt with a base, the carboxylation catalyst being a transition metal complex, which comprises a structurally constrained bidentate P,X ligand, wherein X is selected from the group consisting of P, N, O, and carbene, the P and X atom are separated by 2 to 4 bridging atoms, and wherein the bridging atoms are part of at least one 5- to 7-membered cyclic substructure. A further catalytic processes for preparing ?,?ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives from CO2 and an alkene is provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing a herbicidally active carboxylic acid salt is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: i) combining a carboxylic acid with a high-boiling, water-immiscible organic solvent to obtain a solution or slurry; ii) treating the solution or slurry produced in step (i) with a base to form a carboxylic acid salt; iii) removing solvent from the mixture produced in step (ii) to obtain a carboxylic acid salt cake; and v) drying the cake obtained in step (iii). The process is particularly suitable for preparing a salt of dicamba.