Abstract: A method that includes (a) providing a stream containing ethane and oxygen to an ODH reactor; (b) converting a portion of the ethane to ethylene and acetic acid in the ODH reactor to provide a stream containing ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (c) separating a portion of the acetic acid from the stream to provide an acetic acid stream and a stream containing ethane, ethylene, oxygen and carbon monoxide; (d) providing the stream to a CO Oxidation Reactor containing a catalyst that includes a group 11 metal to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide and reacting acetylene to produce a stream containing ethane, ethylene and carbon dioxide; and (e) providing a portion of the stream and a portion of the acetic acid stream to a third reactor containing a catalyst that includes a metal selected from group 10 and group 11 metals to produce vinyl acetate.

Abstract: A method for producing jet range hydrocarbons may include reacting at least a portion a fatty acid stream comprising C18:1 free fatty acid with ozone in an ozonolysis unit to form at least a C18:1 ozonide intermediate; introducing the C18:1 ozonide intermediate into a reactor, wherein at least a portion of the C18:1 ozonide intermediate is reacted with a reductive agent to produce oxidized products comprising azelaic acid and nonanoic acid; and introducing the oxidized products into a hydrotreating unit, wherein at least a portion of the oxidized products is hydrotreated to produce a paraffin product comprising nonane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-based ink containing at least pigment-containing water-insoluble crosslinked polymer particles (A), a polymer emulsion (B) and water, in which a water-insoluble crosslinked polymer constituting the crosslinked polymer particles (A) is obtained by subjecting a polymer that contains a constitutional unit derived from a carboxylic acid monomer having an acid value of not less than 200 mgKOH/g and a constitutional unit derived from a hydrophobic monomer, to crosslinking reaction with an epoxy compound, and a polymer constituting the polymer emulsion (B) contains a constitutional unit derived from a carboxylic acid monomer and a constitutional unit derived from a hydrophobic monomer. The water-based ink of the present invention is excellent in ejection stability and fastness of the printed characters or images while maintaining good optical density.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes apparatuses and methods for artificial intelligence-enabled management of storage media. In some aspects, a media access manager of a storage media system receives, from a host system, host input/output commands (I/Os) for access to storage media of the storage media system. The media access manager provides information describing the host I/Os to an artificial intelligence engine and receives, from the artificial intelligence engine, a prediction of host system behavior with respect to subsequent access of the storage media. The media access manager then schedules, based on the prediction of host system behavior, the host I/Os for access to the storage media of the storage system. By so doing, the host I/Os may be scheduled to optimize host system access of the storage media, such as to avoid conflict with internal I/Os of the storage system or preempt various thresholds based on upcoming idle time.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising a sole and an upper on the sole. The sole comprises a dandelion latex foam material. The dandelion latex foam material comprises dandelion latex and at least one other natural or synthetic polymer. The dandelion latex foam material is between 20% and 80% dandelion latex.

Abstract: Provided in one embodiment is a continuous process for converting waste plastic into recycle for polyethylene polymerization. The process comprises selecting waste plastics containing polyethylene and/or polypropylene, and passing the waste plastics through a pyrolysis reactor to thermally crack at least a portion of the polyolefin waste and produce a pyrolyzed effluent. The pyrolyzed effluent is separated into offgas, a pyrolysis oil and optionally wax comprising a naphtha/diesel and heavy fraction, and char. The pyrolysis oil is passed to a refinery FCC unit from which a liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is recovered, as well as a C4 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction. The liquid petroleum gas C3 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a steam cracker for ethylene production. The C4 olefin/paraffin mixture fraction is passed to a refinery alkylation unit, from which a n-butane and naphtha feed for a stream cracker to produce ethylene is recovered.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods, devices and systems for processing of carbonaceous compositions. The processing may include the manufacture (or synthesis) of oxidized forms of carbonaceous compositions and/or the manufacture (or synthesis) of reduced forms of oxidized carbonaceous compositions. Some embodiments provide methods, devices and systems for the manufacture (or synthesis) of graphite oxide from graphite and/or for the manufacture (or synthesis) of reduced graphite oxide from graphite oxide.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant monomer includes forming a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule, and reacting the hydroxyl-functionalized with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant molecule to form a flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer. A flame retardant monomer includes at least one moiety derived from a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule and at least one phosphorus-containing flame retardant moiety. A flame retardant polymer includes at least two flame retardant monomer repeat units, each flame retardant monomer repeat unit including at least one moiety derived from a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule and at least one phosphorus-containing flame retardant moiety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing biohydrocarbons which includes providing an isomeric raw material obtained from a bio-renewable feedstock, such as by deoxygenation, hydrodeoxygenation, hydrotreatment or hydrocracking, and containing at least 65 wt. % iso-paraffins, and thermally cracking the isomeric raw material to produce biohydrocarbons at a temperature (coil outlet temperature) of at most 825° C. The biohydrocarbons can further be polymerized to obtain bio-polymers such as polyolefins, polypropylene, polyethylene or copolymers such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant polycaprolactone includes utilizing a caprolactone molecule to form a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule. The process also includes chemically reacting the hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant molecule to form a flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer. The process further includes polymerizing a mixture that includes at least the flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer to form a flame retardant polycaprolactone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a net-shaped polyimide sponge. The polyimide sponge has a stack structure of nets. Also disclosed is a method for producing a polyimide sponge. The method enables the production of a polyimide sponge in a continuous process, which offers advantages for large-scale production compared to conventional methods using batch systems.

Abstract: A process of forming a flame retardant polycaprolactone includes utilizing a caprolactone molecule to form a hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule. The process also includes chemically reacting the hydroxyl-functionalized caprolactone molecule with a phosphorus-containing flame retardant molecule to form a flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer. The process further includes polymerizing a mixture that includes at least the flame retardant-functionalized caprolactone monomer to form a flame retardant polycaprolactone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process to produce propylene polymer using a bridged hafnium transition metal metallocene catalyst compounds having two indenyl ligands substituted at the 4 positions with a C1 to C10 alkyl, where the 3 positions are hydrogen (assuming the bridge position is counted as the one position) and the bridging atom is carbon or silicon which is incorporated into a cyclic group comprising 3, 4, 5, or 6 silicon and/or carbon atoms that make up the cyclic ring, where the propylene polymer has 1) greater than 40% vinyl chain ends, relative to the total unsaturated chain ends, 2) a Tm of 70° C. or more; an Mw of 3000 to 300,000 g/mol, and 4) a g?vis of 0.90 or less.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are catalyst compositions containing boron bridged, bis-indenyl metallocene compounds with an alkenyl substituent. These catalyst compositions can be used for the polymerization of olefins. For example, ethylene copolymers produced using these catalyst compositions can be characterized by a density less than 0.92 g/cm3 and a melt index greater than 25 g/10 min.

Abstract: Aqueous pigment dispersions having monomers in the polymeric dispersant capable of interacting with cellulose are described. These monomers include the ones having a structure of Formula (I): wherein W is O or NH; R1 is C1-C8 alkyl; and R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are independently H or C1-C5 alkyl.

Abstract: A light emitting device may include a first electrode on a substrate, a first emission layer on the first electrode, a buffer layer on the first emission layer, a middle electrode on the buffer layer, a second emission layer on the middle electrode, and a second electrode on the second emission layer. The buffer layer may include a material selected from the group consisting of a metal oxide, a polyelectrolyte, and a combination thereof. The first emission layer, buffer layer, middle electrode, and second emission layer may be fabricated using a wet process.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a polyethylene powder which can offer a fiber excellent in resistance to end breakage, dimensional stability, and acid resistance and/or a microporous membrane excellent in dimensional stability and acid resistance, and a microporous membrane and a fiber which are obtained by forming the polyethylene powder. The present invention provides a polyethylene powder comprising: 0.5 ppm or higher and 3,000 ppm or lower of aluminum hydroxide having an average particle size smaller than 50 ?m; and 0.5 ppm or higher and 12 ppm or lower of a magnesium element, wherein the polyethylene has a viscosity-average molecular weight of 100,000 or larger.

Abstract: A method for treating a zone of a well with a viscosified fluid is provided, wherein the fluid is adapted to break in the well. The method includes the steps of: (A) introducing a well fluid into the zone of the well, wherein the well fluid includes: (i) a water phase; (ii) a water-soluble polymer in the water-phase; and (iii) a source of a hydroxylamine or salt thereof; and (B) allowing the viscosity of the well fluid to break in the zone.

Abstract: A surface layer of an electrophotographic photosensitive member contains a polymerized product obtained by a polymerization reaction of a hole transporting compound having a first reactive functional group and a compound having a second reactive functional group reactable with the first reactive functional group, and a structure other than the first reactive functional group of the hole transporting compound is a structure having only a carbon atom and a hydrogen atom, or a structure having only a carbon atom, a hydrogen atom and an oxygen atom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of trifluoroethylene (VF3 or TrFE) by hydrogenolysis of chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) in the gaseous phase over a group VIII metal catalyst deposited on a support. This method can be used to obtain VF3 in an economical manner in conditions which minimize the risk of explosion of this molecule. Using a catalyst containing a group VIII metal and, more specifically, containing Pd deposited on a support and a specific series of steps of separation and purification makes it possible to obtain excellent CTFE conversion rates and high selectivity in VF3 at atmospheric pressure and at low temperatures.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymerization catalyst produced by bringing components (A) to (D) into contact with one another in a hydrocarbon solvent at 30 to 60° C., wherein the component (A) is a transition metal compound, the component (B) is a solid boron compound capable of forming an ion pair with component (A), the component (C) is an organoaluminum compound, and the component (D) is one or more unsaturated hydrocarbon compounds selected from among an ?-olefin, an internal olefin, and a polyene; and the amounts of component (B) and component (C) are 1.2 to 4.0 mol and 5.0 to 50.0 mol, respectively, on the basis of 1 mol of component (A), which catalyst exhibits high activity and can be readily supplied to a polymerization reaction system. The invention also provides a method of storing the polymerization catalyst at 0 to 35° C.

Abstract: It has been found that certain cells in culture can convert more than about 0.002 percent of the carbon available in the cell culture medium into isoprene. These cells have a heterologous nucleic acid that (i) encodes an isoprene synthase polypeptide and (ii) is operably linked to a promoter. The isoprene produced in such a cultured medium can then be recovered and polymerized into synthetic rubbers and other useful polymeric materials. The synthetic isoprene containing polymers of this invention offer the benefit of being verifiable as to being derived from non-petrochemical based resources. They can also be analytically distinguished from rubbers that come from natural sources. The present invention more specifically discloses a polyisoprene polymer which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene monomer, wherein the polyisoprene polymer has ?13C value of greater than ?22‰.

Abstract: A method of producing a compound of formula (i): wherein R=H or CH3 the method comprising exposing a source of a compound of formula (ii) to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure: formula (ii) wherein R is defined as above wherein, when R=CH3, the source of a compound of formula (ii) is exposed to reaction conditions of temperature and pressure while being in a liquid phase.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for manufacturing a polymeric material having a compositional gradient, comprising: forming a mixture comprising a first photopolymerizable polymer precursor and a second photopolymerizable precursor, and subjecting said mixture to an intensity gradient of electromagnetic radiation, wherein said first precursor has a greater reactivity ratio than said second precursor, and/or said first precursor is mono-functional and said second precursor is di-functional, and/or said first precursor is less inhibited by oxygen than said second precursor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a star-shaped polycarboxylate superplasticizer by the first esterification step with polyol and (meth)acrylic acid as main reactants and the second polymerization step. In the first step, the star-shaped polymerizable active ends were synthesized by esterification between polyol and (meth)acrylic acid in the presence of catalyst. In the second step, the final star-shaped polycarboxylate superplasticizer was prepared by radical polymerization among the product obtained in first step, unsaturated polyoxyethylene ethers, molecular weight regulator and unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of initiator. The production process of this invention exhibits some characteristics including simple, easily controllable, high polymerization degree, low cost and pollution free. The star-shaped molecular structure of polycarboxylate superplasticizer can be achieved through synthesizing active “core” by esterification and “arm” by radical polymerization.

Abstract: A process for preparing a macromonomer by cationic ring-opening polymerization of at least one hydroxyoxetane with a terminally ethylenically unsaturated starter molecule free of allyl groups in a molar ratio (hydroxyoxetane(s):starter molecule) of (100:1) to (1:1) in the presence of at least one suitable catalyst; macromononomers obtainable therefrom and use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides a silicone hydrogel contact lens including a hydrolyzable units. The hydrolyzable units can be converted by hydrolysis into a hydrophilic units which is capable of imparting the silicone hydrogel contact lens a hydrophilic surface without post-curing surface treatment. The invention also provides an actinically crosslinkable prepolymer including hydrolyzable units and use of the prepolymer of the invention. In addition, the invention provides a method for making wettable silicone hydrogel contact lens without posterior surface treatments other than hydrolysis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polar group-containing copolymer which can provide a rubber composition and a winter tire achieving the abrasion resistance, performance on ice, and handling stability on dry roads in a balanced manner. The present invention relates to a polar group-containing copolymer obtainable by copolymerizing a conjugated diene compound and a polar group-containing vinyl compound, wherein the polar group-containing vinyl compound is a compound that has a polymerizable unsaturated bond and a polar group, wherein any one of carbon atoms forming the polymerizable unsaturated bond and a carbon atom linked to the polar group are connected to each other via at least one carbon atom, and wherein a cis content of the double bond portion of the conjugated diene compound in the polar group-containing copolymer is 80 mol % or more.

Abstract: Provided according to the present invention are an adamantyl (meth)acrylate represented by formula (1), having a formazin standard turbidity of less than 1.7 NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Unit) in methylethylketone or tetrahydrofuran, and also a (meth)acrylic copolymer comprising the adamantyl (meth)acrylate as a repeating unit: (in the formula, R1 represents hydrogen or a methyl group; R2 through R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group having a carbon number of 1 to 3, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, a halogen group, an alkyl halide group, or a hydroxyalkyl group; and n1 represents 0 or 1).

Abstract: Provided are a dispersion of a nanoparticulate mixed oxide of SiO2 with at least one further metal oxide in a matrix monomer, methods for preparing such a dispersion, a dental composite producible by curing such a dispersion, and uses of the dispersion as a precursor for dental composites.

Abstract: Processes for the continuous production of conjugated polymers are disclosed. The processes provide excellent control over reaction parameters and are highly reproducible. The conjugated polymers find use in heterojunction devices.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the manufacture of bioresourced polymer-grade acrylic acid from glycerol. The polymer grade acrylic acid produced has limited content of certain impurities harmful to polymerization processes, such as, total aldehydes, protoanemonin, maleic anhydride and nonphenolic polymerization inhibitors. The invention also relates to the use of the bioresourced acrylic acid obtained for manufacture of superabsorbents or for manufacture of polymers or copolymers using amide or ester derivatives of the bioresourced acrylic acid.

Abstract: The purpose of the present invention is to produce an alpha-olefin polymer having excellent production stability utilizing a long-lasting high catalytic activity. Provided is a method for producing an alpha-olefin polymer using a catalyst comprising: (A) a solid catalyst component comprising, as essential components, magnesium, titanium, a halogen and an electron donor compound; (B) an organoaluminum compound; and (C) an electron donor compound, the method comprising: (1) pre-polymerizing an alpha-olefin in the presence of the components (A) and (B) to produce a pre-polymerized catalyst; (2) bringing the resultant pre-polymerized catalyst into contact with a contact product that is produced by contacting the components (B) and (C) with each other in advance; and (3) adding the pre-polymerized catalyst that has been contacted with the contact product to a polymerization reaction vessel in which an alpha-olefin is introduced to polymerize the alpha-olefin.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing plastic materials by providing a biology based feedstock and reacting the biology based feedstock to form a feedstock capable of reaction to form the plastic material, wherein the plastic material is selected from polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Abstract: A cycloolefin-based copolymer and a hydrogenation process are disclosed, wherein the cycloolefin-based copolymer is prepared by using: a monomer which can be easily and economically obtained by hydrogenating dicyclopentadiene that occupies much of C5 fractions from naphtha cracking; or a monomer which can be obtained by chemically bonding three molecules of cyclopentadiene via Diels-Alder reactions and then hydrogenating the cyclopentadiene. The copolymer can be used in various fields as an amorphous transparent resin.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a copolymer having a low band gap and a preparing method thereof, and more specifically, a copolymer having a low band gap and other various and excellent physical properties, and a preparing method thereof.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing conductive polymer nanoparticles is provided. In addition, stabilized conductive polymer nanoparticles are provided as are stabilized nanoparticles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for preparing a star-shaped polycarboxylate superplasticizer by the first esterification step with polyol and (meth)acrylic acid as main reactants and the second polymerization step. In the first step, the star-shaped polymerizable active ends were synthesized by esterification between polyol and (meth)acrylic acid in the presence of catalyst. In the second step, the final star-shaped polycarboxylate superplasticizer was prepared by radical polymerization among the product obtained in first step, unsaturated polyoxyethylene ethers, molecular weight regulator and unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of initiator. The production process of this invention exhibits some characteristics including simple, easily controllable, high polymerization degree, low cost and pollution free. The star-shaped molecular structure of polycarboxylate superplasticizer can be achieved through synthesizing active “core” by esterification and “arm” by radical polymerization.

Abstract: A semi-fluoroalkyl group substituted organic semiconductor polymer and an organic thin film transistor including the same are disclosed. A structure in which hydrogen of only a terminal of an alkyl group is substituted with fluorine exhibits significantly increased hole mobility, and significantly improved properties in terms of thermal stability and chemical stability, as compared to a structure in which all hydrogens coupled to a thiophene ring are substituted with fluorine, or a structure in which hydrogen of the terminal thereof is not substituted with fluorine and only hydrogens of the remaining portion are coupled to the thiophene ring.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polymers, such as water-absorbing polymer structures, by radical polymerization of acrylic acid, whereby the acrylic acid has been obtained by a synthesis process which comprises as a process step the splitting of an organic material by means of an enzyme or at least one component of an enzyme. The invention also relates to the water-absorbing polymers obtainable by this process, water-absorbing polymers which are based to at least about 25 wt % upon partially neutralized acrylic acid, a composite, a process for the production of a composite, the composite obtainable by this production, the use of acrylic acid in the production of polymers, preferably in the production of water-absorbing polymer structures, a device for the production of acrylic acid, and a process for the production of acrylic acid.

Abstract: Ethanol is produced from methyl acetate by a hydrogenolysis reaction. The methyl acetate is produced as a byproduct during the conversion of a vinyl acetate polymer or copolymer to a polymer or copolymer of vinyl alcohol. By integrating the two processes, a valuable product, i.e. ethanol, is produced from a methyl acetate byproduct.

Abstract: A preparation process for a cyclic conjugated polymer, includes the steps of deprotonating a monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound of a 5- to 7-membered ring using a deprotonation catalyst comprising secondary amine represented by R1NHR2 (R1 and R2 are the same or different and are each a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms or a phenyl group) and a Grignard reagent represented by R3MgX (X is a halogen atom selected from chlorine, bromine and iodine, and R3 is a straight-chain or branched alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms) and polymerizing the deprotonated monohalogenated cyclic conjugated compound.

Abstract: Acetic acid is converted to vinyl acetate monomer by a reaction with oxygen and ethylene. The vinyl acetate is polymerized to form a vinyl acetate polymer or copolymer, which is then reacted in a methanolysis reaction with methanol and base to form a polymer or copolymer of vinyl alcohol and a methyl acetate byproduct. Ethanol is produced from methyl acetate by a hydrogenolysis reaction. The hydrogenolysis reaction also produces methanol. At least a portion of this ethanol is converted to ethylene by a dehydration reaction. At least a portion of the ethylene produced in this dehydration reaction is recycled to react with acetic acid and oxygen to form vinyl acetate. By converting a byproduct and by recycle of compositions, a polymer or copolymer of vinyl alcohol is efficiently produced with minimal waste.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a rubber latex which includes adding a basic solution to an initial reaction hydrophilic monomer and a small amount of fat-soluble monomer when a polymerization conversion ratio is 90% or more to form particles having a small diameter and superior stability, ionizing an end of the particles to secure stability of the particles and growing the formed particles, and thereby obtains a stable latex with a large particle diameter using a minimal amount of emulsifying agent and minimizes gas generation and heat discoloration derived from the emulsifying agent.

Abstract: The instant invention pertains to the preparation of polymers or copolymers wherein in a first step a controlled free radical polymerization process is carried out and in a second step the resulting polymer is modified by transesterification reactions. The final modified polymer or copolymer is useful as a dispersant for pigments. Further aspects of the invention are the thus prepared polymers or copolymers, a pigment concentrate containing the polymer or copolymer and a coating material containing the pigment concentrate.

Abstract: A method of extracting (meth)acrylic acid from an aqueous reaction medium into an organic phase in contact therewith is described. The aqueous reaction medium is formed from at least one base catalyst and at least one dicarboxylic acid selected from maleic, fumaric, malic, itaconic, citraconic, mesaconic, and citramalic acid or mixtures thereof in aqueous solution and contains the base catalysed decarboxylation products of the base catalysed reaction. The method includes either the addition of at least one of the said dicarboxylic acids and/or a pre-cursor thereof to the aqueous reaction medium to enhance the solvent extraction of the (meth)acrylic acid into the organic solvent or maintaining the level of base catalyst to dicarboxylic acid and/or pre-cursor at a sub-stoichiometric level during the extraction process. The method extends to a process of producing (meth)acrylic acid, its esters and polymers and copolymers thereof.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of an ethylene copolymer composition having a polydispersity index Mw/Mn of from 3 to 100, comprising a) feeding ethylene to at least one polymerization reactor; b) performing in the at least one polymerization reactor an oligomerization of ethylene in the presence of an oligomerization catalyst component (C) to produce comonomer; c) performing simultaneously in the at least one polymerization reactor polymerization reactions in the presence of catalyst components (A) and (B) producing, respectively, a first and a second polyethylene fraction, wherein the weight average molecular weight Mw of the first polyethylene fraction produced by catalyst component (A) is less than the Mw of the second polyethylene fraction produced by catalyst component (B) and the comonomer incorporation ability of catalyst component (B) is higher than the comonomer incorporation ability of catalyst component (A); and d) withdrawing the ethylene copolymer composition from the polymerization reactor.

Abstract: This invention relates to a polymer of a cyclic olefin and a vinyl terminated macromonomer, and processes for the production thereof.

Abstract: Provided are an adamantane derivative represented by the following formula (1), a method for producing the same, a polymer containing an acrylate compound having the adamantane structure represented by formula (1) in a repeat unit, and a functional resin composition which contains the polymer, has excellent alkali developability and substrate adhesiveness, and can improve the resolution and the line edge roughness as a chemically amplified resist sensitive to far-ultraviolet rays represented by KrF excimer laser light, ArF excimer laser light, F2 excimer laser light or EUV without spoiling fundamental properties thereof as a resist such as pattern forming properties, dry etching resistance, heat resistance and the like.

Abstract: A process for the production of methacrylic acid is described. The process comprises the base catalysed decarboxylation of at least one or a mixture of dicarboxylic acids selected from itaconic, citraconic or mesaconic acid. The decarboxylation is carried out in the range greater than 240 and up to 275° C. to provide high selectivity. The methacrylic acid product may be esterified to produce an ester. A method of preparing polymers or copolymers of methacrylic acid or methacrylic acid esters using the process is also described. Optionally, the process may be preceded with a decarboxylation and, if necessary, a dehydration step on a source of pre-acid such as citric acid or isocitric acid.