Abstract: The invention relates to high-activity catalysts for olefin polymerization, to efficient methods for producing them, and to efficient methods of using the catalysts for producing high-quality polyolefins. The olefin polymerization with the catalysts does not require a large amount of an organic aluminium compound, and the residual metal in the polyolefins produced is much reduced. The catalysts are characterized by containing a product as prepared by contacting any of clay, a clay mineral and an ion-exchanging layered compound, an organic silane compound, and water with each other, or by containing a silane compound-processed clay.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions comprising (a) adhesive polymers or copolymers prepared from monomers selected from the group consisting of styrene, butadiene, acrylonitrile, ethylene, vinyl acetate, acrylic acid, esters of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and esters of methacrylic acid or combinations thereof; and (b) from 1 to 55% on a dry weight basis of a polymeric additive comprising a low molecular weight polymer having a number average molecular weight of 20,000 or less and which comprises polymerized units of at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer and 5 weight percent or less of a polymerized acid-containing monomer. In preferred form, the polymeric additive is polymerized in the presence of a metal chelate chain transfer agent. In certain embodiments, the polymeric additive has a midpoint Tg of at least 0° C. or greater. Further embodiments of the present invention include methods for forming the polymeric additive in situ in the adhesive composition.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer or copolymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points less than one per monomer unit, and 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the polymer has an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per monomer unit, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media.

Abstract: In a process for producing vinyl chloride polymers including polymerization of vinyl chloride or a monomer mixture containing it in an aqueous medium using a polymerization initiator, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a chelating agent. The chelating agent is capable of chelating iron (II) and iron (III). This process makes it possible to prevent polymer scales from adhering to, e.g. baffle surfaces facing inner walls of the polymerization vessel, which has been hitherto difficult to do so, and less cause initial discoloration of polymer products to improve quality. It is more effective to use a polymerization vessel previously provided with coating films of a polymer scale preventive agent on the inner walls of the polymerization vessel and the other portions with which monomers come into contact in the course of polymerization.

Abstract: Provided is a method for synthesizing a poly(arylene vinylene), which method comprises selecting a vinyl monomer by controlling the ratio of cis isomer to trans isomer in the monomer, and forming the poly(arylene vinylene) from the resulting vinyl monomer, such that the desired cis vinylene to trans vinylene ratio is obtained in the poly(arylene vinylene) product.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient aqueous polymerization process for preparing a water soluble polymer product having a molecular weight of less than 30,000. The polymer product is formed from about 3 to about 50 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer, from about 50 to about 97 weight percent of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer, and from 0 to about 40 weight percent of one or more carboxyl-free monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. The process of the present invention may be run as a batch or continuous process. The process uses at least one chain transfer agent and is conducted at an aqueous solution pH of about 3 or less to keep the molecular weight of the polymer product below 30,000. The polymer product produced by the process of the present invention is useful as an additive in detergents, cleaning formulations, and water circulating systems.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing an aqueous dispersion of plastics additive polymer particles using emulsion polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers in an aqueous medium in the presence of a free radical redox initiator system is described. The free radical redox initiator system uses an oxidizing agent, a reducing agent, and a combination of metal ion species. The plastics additive polymer particles are useful as processing aids and impact modifiers in PVC articles.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising a iron-containing compound, an organomagnesium compound, and a silyl phosphonate.

Abstract: A modified diene elastomer prepared by a process comprising the steps of polymerizing a diolefin compound containing a conjugated double bond in a liquid phase in the presence of a cobalt compound, an organic aluminum compound containing a halogen atom, and water, to give a solution containing a diene elastomer, and reacting the diene elastomer with an elastomer-modifying compound is favorably employed for the manufacture of tire tread, particularly when it is employed in combination with silica as a filler.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for obtaining highly stereoregular polyacetylenes from organorhodium catalysts in aqueous media in high yield. These methods afford substantial advantages in that they are rapid, economical, and utilize environmentally benign solvents. The present invention further provides methods for making thin films of polyphenylacetylenes that are tough and transparent.

Abstract: There is provided a process for producing a vinyl chloride polymer wherein in a polymerization vessel, vinyl chloride monomer or a vinyl monomer mixture comprised mainly of vinyl chloride monomer is polymerized by the aid of a polymerization initiator in an aqueous medium, comprising previously forming a coating film comprised of a polymer scale deposition preventive agent prior to the polymerization on the inner wall surface of the polymerization vessel and the other areas, to which said monomer contacts during the polymerization, by coating thereon a coating solution containing the polymer scale deposition preventive agent by the aid of steam as a carrier; and carrying out said polymerization in the presence of a chelating agent capable of forming a Fe(II) or Fe(III) complex in said aqueous medium.

Abstract: Microspheres comprise a polymer including one or more of 1) a plurality of C3 or larger alpha-olefin units wherein the C3 or larger alpha-olefin units are incorporated into the polymer so as to give an average number of less than one branch point per C3 or larger alpha-olefin unit, 2) a plurality of C2 alpha-olefin units wherein the C2 alpha-olefin units are incorporated so as to give an average number of branch points greater than 0.01 per C2 alpha-olefin unit, and 3) cyclopentene or substituted cyclopentene, the microspheres having an average diameter in the range of 1 to 300 micrometers. Optionally, the polymer of the microspheres can be crosslinked. The microspheres can be prepared by suspension or dispersion polymerization processes using aqueous or organic reaction media. Powder coatings can be prepared from the microspheres.

Abstract: The present invention is an acrylic polymer particle which is consistently and substantially spherical in shape and which has a mean diameter that can be predetermined from about 30 microns in diameter to about 5 microns or less. Polyacrylonitrile is synthesized in an aqueous dispersion polymerization with a ionic monomer or “surfmer” to attain a narrow particle size distribution with a mean diameter as low as approximately 3±1.5 microns which is characteristic of an emulsion polymerization. The polymer comprises the ionic monomer and, optionally, a neutral comonomer. The mean particle size is dependent on the concentration of the ionic monomer present, the particular ionic monomer or monomers selected, and the counterion associated with the ionic monomers, the persulfate initiator, and the bisulfite activator. The counterions, often sodium ions, can be removed from the polymer particles by ion exchange with quaternary ammonium compounds.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises an alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomer, an effective amount of an organometallic catalyst of a Group VIII metal, preferably Ni or Pd, and at least one of water and air. Novel catalysts for polymerizing alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomers provide improved processes and products. Methods of the invention include polymerizing the composition in open air and in the presence of water to provide novel polymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer using a catalyst having the general formula where L is a ligand covalently bonded to the cobalt atom, each D is independently selected from donor ligands, R is hydrogen, hydrocarbon from C1 to C30, or hydrohalocarbon from C1 to C30, and X− is an anion. The catalyst is activated by the addition of an acid.

Abstract: Biological oils, conjugated biological oils, and metathesized or cometathesized biological oils are polymerized or co-polymerized faith divinylbenzene, norboradiene and dicyclopentadiene using a BF3.OEt2 initiator to provide plastics from renewable resources. The products are thermosetting polymers having highly crosslinked structures, room temperature modulus of about 109 Pa, and excellent thermal stability, making the products useful for applications where current biodegradable plastics are not useable.

Abstract: An initiator composition for polymerizing unsaturated monomers, comprising a component (A) which is a mixture ofi) at least one salt of a metal in the second sub-group of the periodic table, optionally in solution in an aromatic solvent or in an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ester, andii) at least one salt of a metal in the seventh and eighth sub-group of the periodic table, optionally in solution in an aromatic solvent or in an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ester; anda component (B) which is at least one organic peroxy ester,wherein the components (A) and (B) are kept separate from one another until they are brought together to initiate polymerization of the unsaturated monomers.Also, polymerizable compositions containing the initiator composition together with polymerizable unsaturated monomers. The initiator composition can be used to homopolymerize and copolymerize various unsaturated monomers, such as methacrylic and acrylic acid esters, at lower temperatures.

Abstract: Blends of olefin polymers and syndiotactic vinyl polymers are produced by the catalytic polymerization of olefins and aromatic vinyl compounds or methacrylate esters as vinyl compounds in inert diluents in the presence of a catalyst mixture of transition metal compounds, metalloxane compounds and metal alkyl compounds.The blends have a finely dispersed distribution of the blending components and are suitable for the production of films, sheets, fibers, panels, coatings, pipes, hollow objects, injection molded products and foams.

Abstract: In a process for producing vinyl chloride polymers including polymerization of vinyl chloride or a monomer mixture containing it in an aqueous medium using a polymerization initiator, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a chelating agent, The chelating agent is capable of chelating iron (II) and iron (III). This process makes it possible to prevent polymer scales from adhering to, e.g. baffle surfaces facing inner walls of the polymerization vessel, which has been hitherto difficult to do so, and less cause initial discoloration of polymer products to improve quality. It is more effective to use a polymerization vessel previously provided with coating films of a polymer scale preventive agent on the inner walls of the polymerization vessel and the other portions with which monomers come into contact in the course of polymerization.

Abstract: Organopolysiloxane particles useful as catalysts, are cross-linked, comprise a single molecule, have chemically bound metallic compounds and an average diameter of from 5 to 200 nm and are soluble in at least one solvent chosen from dichloromethane, pentane, acetone, ethanol and water to at least 1% by weight. At least 80% of the particles have a diameter which deviates a maximum of 30% from the average diameter.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition comprises an alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomer, an effective amount of an organometallic catalyst of a Group VIII metal, preferably Ni or Pd, and at least one of water and air. Novel catalysts for polymerizing alpha-olefin hydrocarbon monomers provide improved processes and products. Methods of the invention include polymerizing the composition in open air and in the presence of water to provide novel polymers.

Abstract: A high cis-1,4-polybutadiene is produced, with reduced gel formation, by preparing a catalyst from (A) a cobalt compound, (B) a trialkyl (C.sub.1-10) aluminum compound, (C) a halide compound selected from those of formulae (1) and (2): (1) AlR.sup.2.sub.m X.sub.3-m, and (2) R.sup.3 --X, wherein R.sup.2 =C.sub.1-10 hydrocarbon, X=halogen, m=0 to 2, R.sup.3 =C.sub.1-40 hydrocarbon, and (D) water in an amount of 0.77 to 1.45 moles per mole of total Al in components (B) and (C); and polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of the resultant catalyst in a polymerization medium including an alkane, cycloalkane and/or olefin hydrocarbon.

Abstract: Disclosed are ruthenium and osmium carbene compounds which are stable in the presence of a variety of functional groups and which can be used to catalyze olefin metathesis reactions on unstrained cyclic and acyclic olefins. Specifically, the present invention relates to carbene compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein: M is Os or Ru; R and R.sup.1 are independently selected from hydrogen and functional groups C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkynyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, aryl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 carboxylate, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkenyloxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkynyloxy, aryloxy, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 alkoxycarbonyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylthio, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylsulfonyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylsulfinyl; each optionally substituted with C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl, a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy or with a phenyl group optionally substituted with a halogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkoxy; X and X.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for olefin metathesis. The process comprises (a) providing a reaction mixture comprising an olefin, a metathesis initiator, and a reaction medium comprising carbon dioxide, and (b) reacting the reaction mixture to provide a metathesis modified olefin. The olefin metathesis reaction may be an olefin metathesis exchange reaction, an olefin metathesis degradation reaction, or a metathesis polymerization reaction. The carbon dioxide medium may be liquid, supercritical, and gaseous carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for the solution or amulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, styrene, and other free radical polymerizatable monomers in aqueous media in which a cobalt chain transfer agent is used which has both hydrolytic stability and solubility in water and in the organic phase with preferential solubility in the organic phase.

Abstract: Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is a thermoplastic resin which has double bonds attached in an alternating fashion to its polymeric backbone. Films, fibers and molded articles can be made utilizing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. It can also be blended into rubbers and cocured therewith. It is generally preferred to synthesize syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene in an aqueous medium by suspension or emulsion polymerization. In such aqueous polymerization techniques reactor fouling and particle size control problems are frequently encountered. This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that reactor fouling can be greatly reduced or eliminated and that particle size can be regulated by conducting such aqueous polymerizations in the presence of a controlled amount of dissolved oxygen which is within the range of about 0.01 ppm to about 4 ppm.

Abstract: A free radical polymerization process for the preparation of a polymer comprising heating a mixture of a free radical initiator, a stable free radical agent, a metal catalyst, or a metal stable free radical complex catalyst, and at least one polymerizable monomer; cooling said mixture; and optionally isolating said polymer.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of linear, substantially gel free, high cis 1,4 poly(butadiene) comprising polymerization in the presence of (a) a catalyst comprising at least one cobalt compound, at least one organoaluminium compound, and water, and (b) a cycloalkane as main solvent component, and (c) at least one substituted benzene as polymerization regulator of the general formula ##STR1## wherein n is an integer in the range of from 3 to 5, and wherein each R represents a lower alkoxy group containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

Abstract: In a process for producing syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene by suspension polymerization wherein a mixture composed of 1,3-butadiene, a cobalt compound, and an organometallic compound or metal hydride containing a metal of group I, II or III of the periodic table is contacted with an initiator selected from the group consisting of carbon disulfide, phenyl isothiocyanate and xanthogenic compounds in an aqueous medium, the improvement comprising, after the preparation of the mixture, adding thereto an anti gelling agent selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acid esters, nitriles, sulfoxides, amides and phosphoric acid esters, whereby the formation of a rubber-like gelation product in the mixture is inhibited.

Abstract: A process for preparing an acrylamide polymer is herein disclosed which comprises the step of initiating polymerization in the presence of an oxidation-reduction system polymerization initiator comprising two or more kinds of oxidizing agents and a reducing agent. According to this process, the polymerization rate can be remarkably increased without bringing about a decrease in the molecular weight of the polymer, and hence, restriction on manufacturing facilities and apparatuses can be relieved and productivity can be remarkably enhanced, which permits a decrease in manufacturing cost.

Abstract: Epoxy-containing compounds which are essentially free of organic halides are prepared by (I) reacting an allyl derivative of an active hydrogen-containing compound with (II) a peroxygen-containing compound. The epoxy-containing compounds are useful in coatings, castings, laminates etc.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a fast curing polymer composition which does not require baking or thermosetting to provide a cross-linked coating binder. The composition comprises a polymer which is a homopolymer or copolymer of alpha, beta unsaturated monomers having pendent acetylenic groups which cross-link upon air drying to provide a coating binder.

Abstract: A process for producing a polybutadiene, which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in an inert organic solvent with a catalyst comprising (A) a cobalt compound, (B) an organoaluminum compound consisting essentially of an aluminoxane and, if necessary, (C) a tertiary phosphine compound, (D) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of an ester compound, an alcohol compound, a phenolic compound, a sulfoxide compound, a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound, water and a tertiary amine compound and (E) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbon disulfide, a xanthogen compound and a thioisocyanide. By this process, there can be produced, as desired, a cis-1,4-polybutadiene, a 1,2-polybutadiene having a desired vinyl content, a crystalline 1,2-polybutadiene or a polybutadiene containing crystalline 1,2-polybutadiene segments.

Abstract: Novel catalysts of the general formulaMX.sub.a Y.sub.b,in whichM is Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Os or Ir,X is a triazene, tetrazene, tetrazadiene or pentazadiene ligand,Y is a ligand selected from Cl, Br, I, NH.sub.3, P(C.sub.2 H.sub.5).sub.3, P(C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3, H, CO, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, pyridine, bipyridine, acetate, acetylacetonate, phenylnitrile, ethylenediamine, acetonitrile, 2,5-norbornadiene, nitrate, nitrite, H.sub.2 O, benzene, diphenylphosphinoethane and 1,3-divinyl-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane,a is 1, 2, 3 or 4 andb is 0 or an integer from 1 to 6, are described.The catalysts promote the addition of Si-bonded hydrogen onto an aliphatic multiple bond, in which the catalysts are activated by heating at temperatures of 50.degree. to 250.degree. C., by irradiation with light, by addition of Bronsted acids and/or by addition of acid-forming agents.

Abstract: A 1,2-polybutadiene composition having an excellent reinforcing effect for rubber and synthetic resin materials including at least two polybutadiene components different in melting point from each other and each having, as a main structure, a 1,2-polybutadiene structure, produced by polymerizing a 1,3-butadiene-containing monomer in a water-containing polymerization system in the presence of a catalyst comprising a transition metal compound, an organic compound of one of the Group I to III metals, and one of carbon disulfide, phenyl isothiocyanate, and xanthic acid compounds, while adding a melting point-regulating agent comprising at least one of ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, esters, nitriles, sulfoxides, amides, and phosphoric acid esters in one or two or more separate adding operations or a continuous adding operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an efficient aqueous polymerization process of 6 hours or less for preparing water soluble polymer products formed from 50 to 100 weight percent of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomers and 0 to 50 weight percent of one or more optional other water soluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomers. In this process, 1) an aqueous reaction mixture of dicarboxylic acid monomer is formed, 2) from about 0.9 to about 2.1 equivalent moles of base are added to the reaction mixture per mole dicarboxylic acid monomer, 3) at least one metal promoter is added to the reaction mixture, 4) one or more initiators and optional other water soluble monoethylenically unsaturated monomer are fed to the reaction mixture, 5) the weight percent reaction solids during the polymerization is between about 40 and about 65 weight percent, and 6) the reaction temperature is maintained at about 80.degree. C. to about 140.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing a highly water absorptive polymer, including the step of polymerizing an acrylic monomer including as the main component acrylic acid and/or an alkali metal salt thereof in the presence of a salt of a metal selected from the,group consisting of Fe(II), Fe(III), Cu(II), Mn(II), VO(II), Co(II) and Ni(II).

Abstract: A carbocationic catalyst composition comprising an initiator of water, a tertiary alkyl or aralkyl halide, ester, ether, carboxylic acid, acid halide or a polymeric halide and a co-initiator of an alkoxy metal halide, is used to produce narrow molecular weight distribution olefin polymers particularly isobutylene/para-methyl-styrene copolymers.

Abstract: A process for producing high cis-1,4-polybutadienes wherein there is reduced gel formation is provided which process comprises: polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in a polymerization medium comprising an inert hydrocarbon solvent and water at a temperature of from about -30.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. in the presence of a catalyst system which is a mixture of (1) a substantially anhydrous divalent cobalt salt, (2) diethyl aluminum chloride or ethyl aluminum sesquichloride and (3) an organo aluminum compound of the formula R.sub.3 Al wherein R is an alkyl group having from 8 to 12 carbon atoms and, optionally triethylaluminum, the molar ratio of chloride in the diethyl aluminum chloride plus (3) being from about 0.7:1 to about 1 and the molar ratio of chloride in the ethyl aluminum sesquichloride plus (3) being from about 0.7:1 to about 1.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of actylenically unsaturated compounds by contacting the monomer(s) under polymerization conditions with a catalyst system comprising:a) a source of cations of one or more Group VIII metals;b) a bidentate ligand containing phosphorus, arsenic and/or antimony; andc) a source of anions.

Abstract: Strain crystallizable 3,4-polyisoprene having a 3,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 65% to about 85%, a cis-1,4-microstructure content which is within the range of about 15% to about 35%, and essentially no trans-1,4-microstructure or 1,2-microstructure can be synthesized in organic solvents to quantitative yields after short polymerization times by utilizing the catalyst systems of this invention. This invention specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of 3,4-polyisoprene which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in an organic solvent at a temperatIre which is within the range of about -10.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to moldable, radically polymerizable multicomponent mixtures, which may even be present in the form of storable multicomponent systems, containingethylenically unsaturated, polymerizable compounds, if desired in admixture with soluble and/or insoluble fillers and/or other auxiliaries, andan activator system initiatable by contact with oxygen,characterized in that, in their in-use form, the multi-component mixtures are present as at leastly slightly thickened material and contain an activator system based on the following principal components which can be initiated by contact with ambient air:N-alkyl-substituted tert.-arylamines containing at least one aliphatic CH bond in the .alpha.-position,metal compounds at least partly soluble in the system to accelerate the drying of unsaturated oils, andweakly acidic carboxylic acids having pK.sub.s values no lower than about 0.9.In their in-use form, the multicomponent mixtures preferably have a minimum viscosity of at least about 50 to 100 mPa.

Abstract: A process for producing polybutadiene essentially consisted of syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene in an aqueous medium includes a step off polymerizing diene essentially consisted of 1,3-butadiene in the presence of: (A) a catalyst composition including (a) a transition metal compound, and (b) an organometallic compound which includes a metal selected from the elements consisting off groups 1, 2, 12, and 13 of Periodic Table; (B) an initiator comprising at least one component selected from a group consisting of carbon disulfide, an isothiocyanate compound, and a xanthogenic compound; and (C) an inert organic liquid having a density of at least 1.10, thereby resultant particles of syndiotactic-1,2-polybutadiene have a diameter up to 2 min.

Abstract: Processes for the synthesis of several new carbene compounds of ruthenium and osmium are provided. These novel complexes function as stable, well-defined catalysts for the metathesis polymerization of cyclic olefins.

Abstract: Polymers of itaconic acid are formed at high conversion by an aqueous polymerization process of partially neutralized monomer solution, water, polyvalent metal ion and initiator.Polymers produced according to the process of the invention are useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors and removers, sequestrants, yarn sizers, deflocculating agents, de-inking agents, suspending agents and dispersing agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of polymers based on polyindoles by chemical polymerization of indole in the presence of an oxidizing agent and of a solvent.The invention also relates to compositions and electroconductive devices containing the polyindoles thus obtained and to the use of the polymers obtained.

Abstract: Pure syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene is a thermoplastic resin which has double bonds attached in an alternating fashion to its polymeric backbone. Films, fibers and molded articles can be made utilizing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene. It can also be blended into rubbers and cocured therewith. Syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene can be made by solution, emulsion or suspension polymerization. It typically has a melting point which is within the range of about 195.degree. C. to about 215.degree. C. However, it is often desirable for the syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene to have a melting point of less than about 195.degree. C. This invention discloses a process for preparing syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene having a melting point of less than about 195.degree. C.

Abstract: Cyclic olefin metathesis polymerization catalyst comprising metal compounds wherein said metals consist essentially of a minor amount of a transition metal which Will initiate ring-opening metathesis polymerization of a cyclic olefin and a major amount of at least one second metal which will propagate the polymerization, wherein said catalyst is essentially devoid of pyrophoric metal compounds, e.g. metal alkyls, and preformed metal carbenes. A preferred transition metal is ruthenium. Said second metal can comprise aluminum, copper, hafnium, iron (III), iridium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, niobium, rhenium, rhodium, tantalum, titanium, tungsten, yttrium, a Lanthanide, zinc or zirconium or a mixture thereof. Using such catalyst cyclic olefin, e.g. norbornene derivatives, can be polymerized, e.g. in an extruder, even in the presence of water.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical tablet is provided herein having an effective dissolution rate. The tablet contains a pharmaceutically-active ingredient and a substantially linear, i.e. non-crosslinked K-30 to K-120 PVP as a binding agent. The PVP used herein is made by an initiated polymerization process in which vinyl pyrrolidone monomer is polymerized in the presence of an initiator which produces a linear PVP polymerization, i.e. is a poor hydrogen abstractor of PVP polymer backbones, which would produce a disadvantageous crosslinked PVP product. Suitable initiators include low energy peroxyester free radical initiators, such as t-amylperoxy pivalate, an azo initiator, or a redox initiator which can perform at low temperatures.Preferably the residual initiator level in the PVP is reduced to less than 500 ppm, thereby further precluding the possibility of crosslinking of the PVP polymer during the shelf-life of the tablet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of electrically conducting polymers based on polythiophenes by chemical polymerization of thiophene by means of a ferric salt, an alkyl halide and water.The invention also relates to the electrically conducting devices containing the polythiophenes obtained and a thermoplastic polymer.