Abstract: Zero-valent silver compositions include 4-dimethylaminopyridine as stabilizers. The zero-valent silver and the 4-diemthylaminopyridine form stabilized nano-particles in solution. The zero-valent silver compositions may be used as catalysts in the metallization of non-conductive substrates.

Abstract: A wrapper for a smoking article includes a web; and a patterned deposit on at least a portion of one surface of the wrapper, wherein the patterned deposit comprises catalyst particles. The patterned deposit can include a nanoparticle catalyst that is capable of catalyzing the conversion of a constituent gas component in the mainstream and/or sidestream smoke of the smoking article. The constituent gas component can be carbon monoxide and/or nitric oxide and the catalyst particles can be iron oxide. Also provided is a smoking article comprising a tobacco rod having a wrapper formed around the tobacco rod, the wrapper including a patterned deposit on at least a portion of one surface of the wrapper. A method of making the wrapper and a method of making a smoking article utilizing the wrapper are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing N-aryl carbamates (urethanes) and N-aryl isocyanates. According to said method, aromatic nitro compounds are subjected to a reductive carbonylation in the presence of carbon dioxide and organic compounds that bear hydroxyl groups and the carbonylation is carried out in the presence of metal complexing catalysts. Anionic N,O-chelate ligands of the general formulae [M(N˜O)?2] and [M(O˜N˜N˜O)2?], containing a divalent or trivalent transition metal of groups 5-11 are used for the catalysts.

Abstract: Durene diisocyanate is prepared by reacting durene with nitric acid in sulfuric acid, catalytic hydrogenation of the dinitrodurene that is formed, and phosgenation of the resultant durene diamine in a conventional manner. The intermediate products dinitrodurene and durene diamine do not have to be worked up in a complicated manner as solid products, but can be worked up in dissolved form. The intermediate products dinitrodurene and durene diamine do not have to be isolated and purified in a complicated manner. but can be processed directly after preparation. Another advantage of this process is that only a single organic solvent need be used for the overall preparation process. Separation and re-use of spent acid in the conversion of durene with nitric acid also renders the process of the present invention significantly less environmentally harmful than the known processes of the prior art.