Abstract: A continuous, liquid phase method for producing a polymer having a predetermined number of conjugated diene units per molecule in which (a) a first monomer stream is contacted with an organo-lithium compound, in a manner to intimately mix increments of monomer, containing the predetermined number of moles of conjugated diene, with each mole of organo-lithium and continuously mix and move the mixture through a first, elongated reaction zone to react the predetermined number of moles of conjugated diene with one mole of organo-lithium, (b) mixing the effluent from (a) with an alkyl-substituted aromatic hydrocarbon, an organo-alkali metal of potassium, rubidium or cesium and a tertiary amine to form a complex-initiator of the aromatic hydrocarbon, the alkali metal and the amine, (c) mixing the effluent from (b) with a second stream of monomer, in a manner to intimately mix increments of monomer, containing the predetermined number of moles of conjugated diene, with each mole of complex-initiator and continuously

Abstract: Process for the production of polyphenylene oxide by means of the oxidative polymerization of 2,6-xylenol, with either oxygen or a gas containing molecular oxygen, in the presence of a catalyst, by continuously operating in a circulation system, and with the precipitation of the polymer in the liquid reaction medium.

Abstract: An improved method for the production of polyphenylene ethers is disclosed. The method comprises oxidatively coupling monohydric phenols in the presence of a complex catalyst and in a liquid medium which is a solvent for the monomer and catalyst and a non-solvent for the polyphenylene ether. The polyphenylene ether precipitates to form a slurry of particulate solids which is then washed with an aqueous solution of a chelating agent to remove catalyst residue.

Abstract: An improved process for the continuous preparation of polycaprolactam, in which .epsilon.-caprolactam is partially polymerized, with the addition of a water-containing agent and acetic acid or propionic acid as a chain regulator, at a nylon-forming temperature, in a mechanically mixed zone in a vertical tubular reactor through which the reaction mixture flows downwards, and is then polymerized further, in additional heat exchange zones, until the desired degree of polymerization is reached, and polycaprolactam is then discharged as a melt, wherein a gaseous mixture of caprolactam, water and acetic acid or propionic acid is removed at the top of the tubular reactor and is fed to the middle of a column, water is removed at the top of the column, the bottom of the column is maintained at from 125.degree. to 145.degree. C., and the mixture obtained at the bottom of the column, and comprising caprolactam, acetic acid or propionic acid and a small amount of water, is recycled to the top of the tubular reactor.

Abstract: A method of recovering and recycling quaternary ammonium accelerators for the polymerization of 2-pyrrolidone is disclosed. The method consists of removing the quaternary ammonium compound together with unpolymerized 2-pyrrolidone by washing the polymer with a solvent for both, such as water or methanol, neutralizing the solution immediately after washing and then removing the solvent at a sufficiently low temperature so that the quaternary ammonium compound is not decomposed.

Abstract: A catalyst for the (co)polymerization of ethylene, .alpha.-olefines, conjugated and non-conjugated dienes, a method of preparation, and a mode of using same. The catalyst contains from 0.1 to 50 wt.% of a compound of a transition metal of the IV-VIII Groups chemically combined and distributed over the surface and within the volume of a rubber-like polymeric carrier containing from 1 to 50 wt.% of electron-donor and/or electron-acceptor groups and is in the form of a gel which is swellable, but insoluble in the reaction medium.A co-catalyst comprising an organic compound of a metal of Groups I-III is employed chemically combined and/or non-combined with the catalyst.The catalyst is prepared by mixing the metal compound with said carrier swollen or dissolved in a solvent, and by extracting the resulting compound with a solvent.(Co)polymerization is effected in a solvent such as a hydrocarbon or a hologenated hydrocarbon derivative at a temperature not exceeding 200.degree. C.

Abstract: Vapor phase polymerization of an olefin which comprises conveying inactive high yield titanium catalyst component to a vapor phase polymerization reactor with a liquid comprising recycled quench liquid, reactivating said inactive high yield titanium catalyst component inside the reactor with a metal alkyl reducing agent and polymerizing olefin under gas phase polymerization conditions with reactivated high yield catalyst to form a resinous polymer of an olefin having a low level of catalyst residues.

Abstract: A process for cooling a polymerization reaction of compounds in a dispersion and/or solution involves evaporation of one or more liquids contained in the dispersion and/or solution, condensation of the vapors in a reflux condenser, and recycling of the thus-condensed vapors into the reactor, together with the use of a controllable flow of coolant which is introduced into the reflux condenser jacket. In this process the amount of heat given off during condensation serves as the control variable for a controller for controlling the input of cooling medium for the reflux condenser.

Abstract: Sulphur dioxide and unreacted monomer or mixture of monomers are separated and recovered from the polymer or copolymer slurry obtained by polymerizing acrylonitrile monomer or copolymerizing acrylonitrile monomer and a further ethylenically unsaturated monomer copolymerizable therewith in the presence of a catalytic system comprising sulphur dioxide or a sulphite, by a process comprising the steps of separately removing the sulphur dioxide and the monomer or mixture of monomers from the slurry in two distinct volatilization zones connected in series under decreasing subatmospheric pressures, scrubbing with water the sulphur dioxide vapors removed in the first zone and vapors of unreacted monomer or monomers removed in the second zone, and recycling the two resulting aqueous solutions to the polymerization or copolymerization medium.

Abstract: A propylene oxide slurry polymerization process having high catalyst efficiency comprises (A) homopolymerizing or copolymerizing propylene oxide in isobutane in the presence of a catalyst substantially soluble in isobutane, (B) separating isobutane with catalyst dissolved therein from propylene oxide polymer, and (C) recycling isobutane and dissolved catalyst for further polymerization. The catalyst comprises (1) at least one trialkylaluminum compound wherein each alkyl group contains from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, (2) at least one diketone containing from 5 to 20 carbon atoms and (3) water. The catalyst may also contain (4) at least one dialkyl ether or cycloalkyl ether containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms and/or (5) at least one ether alcohol containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms.