Abstract: A process for making oxidized olefins is disclosed. Specifically, the process comprises providing an olefin and oxygen in combination in a reaction medium comprising carbon dioxide, and then oxidizing the olefin in the reaction medium to make the oxidized olefin. Preferably, a perfluoropolyether is produced by the process.

Abstract: Granules based on silicon dioxide and having the properties:Average particle size: 10 to 120 .mu.mBET surface area: 40 to 400 m.sup.2 /gPore volume: 0.5 to 2.5 ml/gPore size distribution: less than 5% of the total pore volume exists of pores with a diameter<5 nm, remainder are meso- and macroporespH value: 3.6 to 8.5Tapped density: 220 to 700 g/lThey are prepared by dispersing silicon dioxide in water, spray drying, and optionally heating and/or silanizing. The granules can be used as catalyst supports.

Abstract: A medical implant made of polymeric material having an increased oxidation resistance is formed by a method including the steps of placing a resin powder in a sealed container. A substantial portion of the oxygen is removed from the sealed container by either a vacuum, an oxygen absorbent or by flushing with inert gas. The container is then repressurized with a gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium or neon so that long term storage may be possible. On use, the resin is transferred to a forming device which both melts and forms the resin in an oxygen reduced atmosphere to produce a polymeric raw material such as a rod or bar stock. The medical implant is then formed from this raw material annealed and sealed in an air-tight package in an oxygen reduced atmosphere. The implant is then radiation sterilized and thereafter annealed in the package for a predetermined time and temperature sufficient to form cross-links between any free radicals in neighboring polymeric chains.

Abstract: A medical implant made of polymeric material having an increased oxidation resistance is formed by a method including the steps of placing a resin powder in a sealed container. A substantial portion of the oxygen is removed from the sealed container by either a vacuum, an oxygen absorbent or by flushing with inert gas. The container is then repressurized with a gas such as nitrogen, argon, helium or neon so that long term storage may be possible. On use, the resin is transferred to a forming device which both melts and forms the resin in an oxygen reduced atmosphere to produce a polymeric raw material such as a rod or bar stock. The medical implant is then formed from this raw material annealed and sealed in an air-tight package in an oxygen reduced atmosphere. The implant is then radiation sterilized and thereafter annealed in the package for a predetermined time and temperature sufficient to form cross-links between any free radicals in neighboring polymeric chains.

Abstract: Process for the formation of carbon-containing free radicals R., which optionally include functional groups, wherein thermal and/or photochemical energy is supplied to a thiocarbonyl-containing ester corresponding to the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which: R denotes a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, aliphatic or aromatic, acyclic or alternatively mono- or poly-cyclic or mono- or poly-heterocyclic, carbon-containing radical which in addition can optionally include functional groups;R' and R" denote, independently of each other, an alkyl, alkenyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkaryl radical, or alternatively form together a 5- or 6-membered nitrogen-containing heterocycle which can also contain an additional heteroatom chosen from nitrogen and sulfur and which can optionally be substituted or fused to at least one other aliphatic or aromatic ring;R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 denote, independently of each other, a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl radical, andn is an integer equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3.