Abstract: A process for the manufacture of 1,4-bis[2-(4'-carbomethoxystyrenyl)] benzene is disclosed. This process comprises reacting, at a temperature of about 0.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., in a highly polar anhydrous organic solvent or solvent mixture, or in liquid ammonia, a p-xylylene-bis-(trialkylphosphonium halide) or p-xylylene-bis-(triarylphosphonium halide) with 4-carbomethoxybenzaldehyde, initiated by the slow introduction of an organometallic compound or an inorganic base. Polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate, are copolymerized with about 5 to about 20 parts per million of 1,4-bis[2-(4'-carbomethoxystyrenyl)] benzene. 1,4-bis[2-(4'-carbomethoxystyrenyl)] benzene is useful to provide permanent whiteness to polyesters and polyamides and other synthetic or natural polymers. Polyesters are useful for the manufacture of fibers, films, and related industrial products.

Abstract: Esters of 3,5-dihydrocarbyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonic acid are prepared by reacting a 2,6-dihydrocarbyl-4-halomethylphenol with an ester of a 1,3-dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alkali or an alkaline earth metal hydride. The products are useful as antioxidants.

Abstract: Esters of 3,5-dihydrocarbyl-4-hydroxybenzylmalonic acid are prepared by reacting a 2,6-dihydrocarbyl-4-hydroxymethylphenol with an ester of a 1,3-dicarboxylic acid in the presence of an alkali or an alkaline earth metal hydride. The products are useful as antioxidants.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of alkyl esters from carboxylic acids wherein an aqueous stream containing a first carboxylic acid, RCO.sub.2 H, is contacted with an organic stream comprising a carboxylic acid ester, R"CO.sub.2 R', so that the organic stream is enriched with RCO.sub.2 H. The RCO.sub.2 H enriched organic stream is separated from the aqueous stream and is contacted with a catalyst to obtain a second carboxylic acid, R"CO.sub.2 H, and a product carboxylic acid ester, RCO.sub.2 R'. The product ester, RCO.sub.2 R', is separated from the second acid, R"CO.sub.2 H, the reactant ester, R"CO.sub.2 R', and the first acid, RCO.sub.2 H, and the second acid, R"CO.sub.2 H, is esterified to obtain the reactant ester, R"CO.sub.2 R', which is recycled to the initial part of the process. In this process R is aliphatic or aromatic, R' is alkyl and R" is aliphatic with at least about 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing a carboxylate ester which involves contacting mixtures of alcohol and aldehyde in vapor phase with a reduced silver-cadmium-zinc-zirconium catalyst composition.

Abstract: Tetrahydrocarbyl phosphonium bicarbonate salts are employed as catalysts to promote the reaction between (a) vicinal epoxides and (b) carboxylic acids or anhydrides. These catalysts are particularly useful in the preparation of vinyl ester resins.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of low molecular weight polyesters directly from hydroxypivaldehyde. The process comprises reacting dry hydroxypivaldehyde with a diester, a multifunctional ester, a diacid, a polyester, or a mixture thereof at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 230.degree. C. in the presence of a transesterification catalyst. Optionally, modifying glycols, triols, or polyols may also be added. Suitable catalysts include tetraisopropyl titanate, dibutyltin oxide, lithium hydroxide, and lithium alkoxide, with tetraisopropyl titanate being especially preferred. The reaction is preferably accomplished in two stages by heating the reaction mixture to about 130.degree. C. for about three hours and subsequently heating the reaction mixture to about 190.degree.-230.degree. C. until the reaction is essentially complete.

Abstract: A novel 3-endo-protected hydroxyl-tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is described which can be alkylated stereospecifically to give a 5-endo-protected hydroxyl-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptan-2-one which may then be converted via a sequence of reactions into prostaglandins of the F-series having a protecting group at the 9-position. The synthesis of the tricyclo[3,2,0,0.sup.2,7 ]heptan-6-one is also described.

Abstract: Allylic esters of tetrachlorophthalic acid are formed using allylic alcohol both as a reactant and a solvent. In the first step, the alcohol and a base are reacted with tetrachlorophthalic anhydride to form the half-ester sodium salt. In the second step, the sodium salt is reacted with allylic halide to form the diester which crystallizes from solution. The excess solvent may be treated to recover the raw materials or recycled.

Abstract: Allylic esters of tetrabromophthalic acid are formed using allylic alcohol both as a reactant and a solvent. In the first step, the alcohol and a base are reacted with tetrabromophthalic anhydride to form the half-ester sodium salt. In the second step, the half-ester sodium salt is reacted with allylic halide to form the diester which crystallizes from solution. The excess solvent may be treated to recover the raw materials or recycled.

Abstract: Hexa(meta-,para-carboxyphenyl)benzene compounds. The esters are useful as plasticizers for polyvinylchloride, heat transfer agents, hydraulic fluids, and insulating oils. The acid is suitable as a cross-linking agent for polymers containing hydroxyl or amine groups.

Abstract: A biphenyltetracarboxylic tetraester, especially, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic tetraalkyl ester, is produced by bringing an orthophthalic diester, especially, orthophthalic dialkylester, into contact with a molecular oxygen-containing gas in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a mixture of a palladium salt with 2,2'-bipyridyl or a chelating reaction product of a palladium salt with 2,2'-bipyridyl, so as to promote oxidative coupling of the orthophthalic diester.

Abstract: Compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which Z, Z.sub.1, R, m and p are as defined in patent claim 1, can be obtained in a simple and economical manner by a novel process wherein a halide of the formula II ##STR2## is reacted with a substituted or unsubstituted vinylbenzene or vinylnaphthalene derivative in the presence of a base and of certain palladium catalysts, such as palladium acetate. The compounds (I) or functional derivatives preparable therefrom are useful, for example, for the preparation of known dyes or fluorescent brighteners, or can be used directly as fluorescent brighteners or as scintillators.

Abstract: A process for the catalytic preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted in liquid medium with an organic peracid in the presence of a catalytic amount of an aryl iodide, to form the desired aryl carboxylate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of aryl carboxylates is provided in which an arylmetallo carboxylate is contacted with an aryliodoso carboxylate in liquid medium to form the desired aryl carboxylate. Promoters can be employed to increase the rate of reaction and improve selectivity to the aryl carboxylate.

Abstract: Processes for producing an oligoester and producing unsaturated polyester resin by use of the oligoester using unsaturated dibasic acid or its anhydride and isophthalic acid as dibasic acid components, and propylene oxide as a polyol component, characterized by (a) the step of reacting isophthalic acid with propylene oxide in the presence of an amine compound catalyst to form an oligoester, (b) the step of removing volatile components from the oligoester by heating it at a temperature range of 180.degree.-300.degree. C., (c) the step of treating the resulting oligoester with silica-alumina compound having adsorbing property, and (d) the step of reacting the oligoester so treated with the unsaturated dibasic acid or its anhydride.

Abstract: A biphenyl compound is produced from a corresponding aromatic monocyclic compound at a high yield thereof and a high percent selectivity thereto, by dehydrogenatively dimerizing the aromatic monocyclic compound with molecular oxygen in the presence of oxalic acid together with a organic palladium salt catalyst, under a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a carboxylate ester from a monoolefin and a carboxylic acid, in the presence of a solid catalyst comprising a composite of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid and a carrier substrate having a surface area between about 1-1000 m.sup.2 /gram.A carboxylate ester such as ethyl propionate is produced with a STY efficiency of at least 100 grams/liter hour.

Abstract: A biphenyltetracarboxylic tetraester, especially, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic tetraalkyl ester, is produced by oxidative coupling an orthophthalic diester, especially, orthophthalic dialkylester, in a molecular oxygen-containing atmosphere in the presence of a catalyst consisting of a mixture of a palladium salt with 1,10-phenanthroline and/or 2,2'-bipyridyl or a chelating reaction product of a palladium salt with 1,10-phenanthroline or 2,2'-bipyridyl.

Abstract: Carboxylic acids are esterified with ethylene gas, to effect the formation of ethyl esters, by acid catalysis in the presence of at least one dissociating, inert and stable solvent which increases the acidity of the reaction medium.

Abstract: This invention comprises an improvement in the preparation of high molecular weight polyester, said improvement comprising simultaneously and continuously crystallizing, drying and heating low molecular weight particulated, melt polymerized linear condensation polyester prepolymer resin by subjecting said prepolymer resin to a high frequency energy field in the range from about 20.0 to about 300 megahertz for a period of time ranging from about 20 to 90 seconds.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for converting a bis-(diol) terephthalate to dimethyl terephthalate, by interchange in a methanol medium in the presence of magnesium methylate as catalyst. In this way dimethyl terephthalate may be regenerated from scrap of polyterephthalate or copolyterephthalate filaments or films, for the purpose of manufacturing fresh polyterephthalates or copolyterephthalates which can then be used for the manufacture of, for example, filaments or films.

Abstract: Substituted cyclopropane derivatives are prepared in one step by interreacting an aldehyde, an active methylene compound, a sulfoxonium or sulfonium bromide or iodide, and a strong base in a reaction-inert organic solvent.

Abstract: Spent ethylene glycol recovered from polyester manufacture contains dissolved antimony catalyst residues and other impurities. Prior to distillation of the spent glycol to recover purified ethylene glycol, the antimony compounds are removed by adjusting the pH of the spent glycol to about 2 to 7, preferably 5 to 7, preferably by adding an organic acid (e.g., acetic acid) adding an alkali metal borohydride (e.g., sodium borohydride) in the absence of oxygen and with intimate mixing to form a metallic antimony precipitate, and recovering the precipitate. The process is further improved by adding a catalytic amount of a strong inorganic base, e.g., sodium hydroxide, prior to the pH adjustment step, to convert any terephthalyl values to dihydroxyethyl terephthalate which can be recovered.

Abstract: Recovery of ethylene terephthalate polymer from waste material is accomplished by glycolysis of the polyester to form bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate for repolymerization. Formation of objectionable diethylene glycol is inhibited when glycolysis is accomplished by heating the polyester in a reaction mixture with bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate, ethylene glycol and sodium acetate trihydrate, and water is introduced continuously into the reaction mixture during depolymerization of the polyester.

Abstract: In a method for making a carboxylic acid ester by the reaction of the corresponding carboxylic acid amide with a primary alcohol in the presence of a catalyst at elevated temperature, the improvement wherein said catalyst is an at least partially dissolved metal carboxylate or a compound forming a metal carboxylate by reaction in situ with a carboxylic acid, the anion of which metal carboxylate is the anion of said carboxylic acid.