Abstract: A composition comprising water, a glycol, and a polyalkylene glycol which has a biodegradability of at least 60% as determined using OECD 301F wherein the composition has a kinematic viscosity of at least 25 mm2/sec at 40° C. is useful as a rheology modifier, particularly in subsea applications. In some instances, the composition comprises 10 to 65 weight % water, 20 to 60 weight % of a glycol selected from ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and tetra ethylene glycol, 10 to 40 weight % of a polyalkylene glycol, and 0 to 10% of additives based on total weight of the composition wherein the polyalkylene glycol has a—molecular weight of no more than 4000 g/mol and is characterized in that it is an oxyethylene/oxypropylene block copolymer having a weight percent of oxyethylene of at least 20% based on total weight of the copolymer.

Abstract: Novel imidazolium salts of formula (I) are described in which R is a C1-C14 alkyl group, optionally substituted by one or more fluorine atoms, or a C2-C18 alkoxyalkyl group, R? is an alkyl group containing at least 8 carbon atoms, at least 6 of which are partially or entirely fluorinated, R? is hydrogen or C1-C3 alkyl, Z is an organic or inorganic anion, and Q is further defined. The compounds of formula (I) are liquid crystals over a wide temperature range, and are characterized by high conductivity, hydrophobicity and stability. These properties made them ideally suitable for use in devices based on electrochemical reactions, such as solar cells, fuel cells, electrochemical sensors, lithium batteries and capacitors, etc.

Abstract: A 1,4-butanediol (1,4BG)-containing composition having high thermal stability, and having a concentration of 1,4-butanediol of 99.00% by weight or more and not more than 99.99% by weight and 2-pyrrolidone or N-methylpyrrolidone in a concentration, as converted into a nitrogen atom, of from 1.0 to 25 ppm by weight.

Abstract: A water-soluble thermally polymerizable oxetane resin composition comprises (A) a water-soluble oxetane compound and (B) at least one heteropolyacid compound selected from heteropolyacids and heteropolyacid salts. The water-soluble oxetane compound may contain one or more oxetane functional groups in the molecule and one or more alcoholic OH groups in the molecule. The heteropolyacids include phosphotungstic acid, phosphomolybdic acid, silicotungstic acid, silicomolybdic acid or mixtures thereof. The heteropolyacid salts include phosphotungstic acid salts, phosphomolybdic acid salts, silicotungstic acid salts, silicomolybdic acid salts or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A filtration method is disclosed for recovering purified polyether polyol comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of a polyether polyol containing an alkali metal catalyst residual formed from a transesterification process utilizing an alkali metal catalyst, contacting the aqueous solution with a stoichiometric excess of magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite or a combination thereof to form a second aqueous solution, wherein said stoichiometric excess is based on the amount of said alkali metal catalyst residual.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved process for converting a diester of polyether polyol, e.g., PTMEA, to the corresponding dihydroxy product, e.g., polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG) continuously in a reaction zone, such as, for example, a reactive distillation system, for achieving virtually complete conversion of PTMEA to PTMEG, and recovery of PTMEG free of unreacted or unconverted PTMEA and alkanol ester by-product.

Abstract: A filtration method is disclosed for recovering purified polyether polyol comprising the steps of providing an aqueous solution of a polyether polyol containing an alkali metal catalyst residual formed from a transesterification process utilizing an alkali metal catalyst, contacting the aqueous solution with a stoichiometric excess of magnesium sulfate, magnesium sulfite or a combination thereof to form a second aqueous solution, wherein said stoichiometric excess is based on the amount of said alkali metal catalyst residual.

Abstract: Provided herein is a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having a methanol metabolic pathway that can enhance the availability of reducing equivalents in the presence of methanol. Such reducing equivalents can be used to increase the product yield of organic compounds produced by the microbial organism, such as 1,4-butanediol (BDO). Also provided herein are methods for using such an organism to produce BDO.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a polyalkylene oxide, which is capable of improving reduction in reactivity of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst in the case that a low molecular weight initiator is used, and producing the polyalkylene oxide with high productivity at low cost. The method for producing a polyalkylene oxide comprises carrying out a ring-opening addition reaction of an alkylene oxide with an initiator having at least one hydroxy group and having a molecular weight of not more than 300 per hydroxy group in the presence of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst in an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent is used in an amount of 500 to 1,500 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the alkylene oxide used at the start of the reaction.

Abstract: A method for producing a polyether-polyol having a narrow molecular weight distribution, which comprises carrying out selective fractional extraction of the low-molecular weight component from a polyether-polyol (A) having an average molecular weight of from 500 to 4500 represented by formula (1): HO—[(CH2)4O]n—[(CR1R2)pO]q—H??(1) wherein R1 and R2, which may be the same or different, each represents a hydrogen atom or a linear or branched alkyl group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; n indicates a positive integer; p indicates an integer of from 1 to 8; and q indicates 0 or a positive integer, by the use of an aqueous solution (C) containing from 15 to 70 wt % sulfuric acid at a room temperature to 100° C., to thereby suitably determine the amount of the aqueous sulfuric acid solution to the overall organic layer and the sulfuric acid concentration in accordance with the molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of the intended polyether-polyol to be fractionally extracted.

Abstract: Compositions comprising polytetramethylene glycol and a volatile material (e.g. a perfume) are able to sustainedly release said volatile material and are easy to disperse in liquid and cream products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing polytetrahydrofuran, polytetrahydrofuran copolymer, diester or monoester by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one telogen and/or comonomer and of an acidic heterogeneous catalyst based on activated sheet silicates or mixed metal oxides in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising using ionic liquids for preparing poly(tetramethylene) glycol from tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process comprising using ionic liquids for preparing poly(tetramethylene)glycol from tetrahydrofuran.

Abstract: A process comprising contacting PO3G having color with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst, wherein the PO3G, after hydrogenation, has a APHA color of less than about 50.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing mono- or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran or of tetrahydrofuran copolymers by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one telogen and/or of a comonomer over an acidic catalyst, wherein the polymerization reactor is started up using a mixture of polytetrahydrofuran, the mono- or diesters of polytetrahydrofuran and/or of the THF copolymers, tetrahydrofuran, any comonomer and at least one carboxylic acid and/or one carboxylic anhydride.

Abstract: A detergent composition having cold water solubility and exhibiting high calcium tolerance can be produced from biodegradable branched ether derivative compositions derived from a branched ether primary alcohol represented by the formula: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 represents a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, x is a number ranging from 0 to 16, preferably from 3 to 13, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the alcohol ranges from 9 to 24.

Abstract: A copolymer with recurring constituent units derived by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran, ethylene oxide and at least one additional cyclic ether that can be substituted or unsubstituted that decreases the hydrophilicity imparted to the copolymer by the ethylene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides acetic anhydride, a method of purifying crude acetic anhydride, and a method of producing polyoxytetramethylene glycol using acetic anhydride. A method of producing polyoxytetramethylene glycol by ring-opening-polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of acetic anhydride and an acid catalyst, wherein said ring-opening polymerization is conducted using acetic anhydride having a diketene concentration of 10 ppm or less to produce polyoxytetramethylene glycol.

Abstract: A continuous process for converting by transesterification the diester of polytetramethylene ether (PTMEA) to the corresponding polytetramethylene ether glycol (PTMEG). The process is characterized by the fact that the feed, consisting of PTMEA along with an alkanol (preferably methanol) and with an alkali metal oxide, hydroxide or alkoxide catalyst (preferably sodium methaoxide) is made to react in two multistaged reactions in series. In the first reactant, including stages of retention in association with distillation trays of high efficiency, the bulk of conversion is achieved by stripping the alkanol ester formed in the transesterification with vapors of hot alkanol having a reduced content of alkanol ester. The transesterification is completed in the second reaction by stripping the effluent from the first reactor with vapors of hot alkanol almost free of alkanol ester.

Abstract: Monofunctional polyfluorooxetane oligomers and polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of fluorooxetane monomers with a monoalcohol. The fluorooxetane oligomers or polymers can be copolymerized with generally cyclic ethers. Alternatively, the polyfluorooxetane oligomer or polymer having a single hydroxyl end group can be functionalized with a variety of compounds so as to yield a functional end group such as an acrylate, a methacrylate, an allylic, an amine, etc., with the functionalized oligomer or polymer being suitable for use in radiation curable or thermal curable coating compositions. These functionalized polymers can be copolymerized and cured to provide improvements in wetting and surface properties that have previously been provided by migratory chemicals such as waxes and oils.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, novel fluorinated polyurethane elastomers (e.g., fluorinated thermoset polyurethane elastomers and fluorinated thermoplastic elastomers) prepared from polyether prepolymers formed from mono-substituted fluorinated oxetane monomers (FOX monomers) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition, the present invention provides methods of making such fluorinated polyurethane elastomers.

Abstract: A process for preparing perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes having —OCF2H, —OCF2CF2H and —OCF(CF3)H end groups and a number average molecular weight from 120 to 3,000, by decarboxylation of the corresponding perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes having —OCF2COOH, —OCF2CF2COOH, —OCF(CF3)COOH end groups, in the presence of catalytic amounts of salts formed by perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes having end groups selected from —OCF2COOZ, —OCF2CF2COOZ and —OCF(CF3)COOZ, wherein Z is a monovalent cation of the group Ia or Ib or Z is —NR4+ wherein R is hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl, using ratios between Z and the —COOH equivalents of the perfluoropolyoxyalkylenes to be decarboxylated from 0.01 to 0.08, at a temperature between 120° C. and 180° C., in the presence of water, at pH <5 and at a pressure comprised between 2 and 80 atmospheres.

Abstract: A polyoxyalkylene monoalkyl ether which gives, in gel permeation chromatography, a chromatogram which satisfies a relation expressed by an equation: S1/S0≦0.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a DMC catalyst useful in the polymerization of alkylene oxides into polyether polyols, which process having the steps of (a combining an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an aqueous solution of a metal cyanide salt and reacting these solutions, wherein at least part of this reaction takes place in the presence of an organic complexing agent, thereby forming a dispersion of a solid DMC complex in an aqueous medium; (b) combining the dispersion obtained in step (a) with a liquid, which is essentially insoluble in water and which is capable of extracting the solid DMC complex formed in step (a) from the aqueous medium, and allowing a two-phase system to be formed consisting of a first aqueous layer and a layer containing the DMC complex and the liquid added; (c) removing the first aqueous layer; and (d) recovering the DMC catalyst from the layer containing the DMC catalyst.

Abstract: Porous microcomposites have been prepared from perfluorinated ion-exchange polymer and metal oxides such as silica using the sol-gel process. Such microcomposites possess high surface area and exhibit extremely high catalytic activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to double-metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for preparing polyether polyols by the polyaddition of alkylene oxides on to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, wherein the DMC catalysts are composed of: a) at least one DMC compound; b) at least one organic complexing ligand which is not a coronand; and c) at least one coronand. The DMC catalysts of the present invention have increased activity compared to known catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high heat resistance and low viscosity polyoxytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) having the following characteristics (1) to (4): (1) a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 3000; (2) a molecular weight distribution of 1.8 or less in terms of the Mw/Mn ratio; (3) a content of high molecular weight PTMG molecules of from 2 to 5% by weight, wherein the high molecular weight PTMG molecules are PTMG molecules having molecular weights which are at least six times as large as the number average molecular weight of all PTMG molecules; and (4) a heteropolyacid content of from 10 to 900 ppb by weight.

Abstract: A process for making OH-terminated compounds involving: (a) combining at least one CH2OH-terminated diol and a titanium-containing catalyst to form a reaction mixture; (b) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from 110 to 160° C. to form a heated reaction mixture; (c) continuously adding dimethyl carbonate to the heated reaction mixture; (d) continuously distilling all methanol released from the heated reaction mixture; (e) heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of from 190 to 240° C. to form an OH-terminated product; (f) removing unreleased methanol and dimethyl carbonate from the reaction mixture under a pressure of less than 100 mbar; and (g) deactivating the titanium-containing catalyst by adding from 0.8 to 2 equivalents, based on the catalyst, of a 1 to 20% by weight aqueous solution of phosphoric acid to the reaction mixture, at a temperature of from 80 to 120° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for continuously or discontinuously producing tetrahydrofuran polymers by homopolymerization of tetrahydrofuran, alkyl-substituted tetrahydrofurans and/or alkylene oxides in the presence of carboxylic acid anhydrides or compounds containing reactive hydrogen using an optionally non-acidified or acid-activated calcined and granular natural amorphous aluminum silicate catalyst. The inventive method provides a means for substantially suppressing the formation of cyclic ethers and for obtaining a polymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution by keeping the concentration of carboxylic acid anhydrides or alkylene oxide constantly below 1 wt. % during polymerization. The catalysts have a long life span and lead to polymers that are characterized by highly uniform properties and a narrow molecular weight distribution even if a fairly impure monomer is used.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a tetrahydrofuran polymer using a heteropoly-acid catalyst wherein the content of Al in the heteropoly-acid is 4 ppm or less.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a poly(alkylene ether) glycol which comprises polymerizing a cyclic ether in the presence of at least a catalyst and a carboxylic acid anhydride, wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride has a ketene dimer content of 50 ppm or lower, and a process for producing a poly(alkylene ether) glycol which comprises polymerizing a cyclic ether in the presence of at least a catalyst and acetic anhydride, wherein the acetic anhydride is purified acetic anhydride obtained by treating acetic anhydride by contacting with at least one of a metal oxide and a mixed oxide, and optionally, distilling the acetic anhydride simultaneously with or after the contact treatment.

Abstract: A method for controlling the molecular weight distribution of polyether glycol in producing polyether glycol having a specified number average molecular weight by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran as a starting monomer with the use of a heteropoly-acid as a catalyst, which method comprises conducting the polymerization in the presence of an amount of water which can form two phases of the organic phase and a catalyst phase, sampling the polymerization product during the polymerization to determine the molecular weight distribution and, when the molecular weight distribution thus found is narrower than the specified molecular weight distribution, making the residence time distribution of the starting monomer in the catalyst phase wider, while, when the found molecular weight distribution is wider than the specified molecular weight distribution, making the residence time distribution of the starting monomer in the catalyst phase narrower.

Abstract: The present invention provides, inter alia, novel fluorinated copolymers and coprepolymers derived from mono-substituted oxetane monomers having fluorinated alkoxymethylene side-chains (FOX monomers) and tetrahydrofuran (THF). In addition, the present invention provides methods of making such copolymers and coprepolymers.

Abstract: In a process for preparing polytetrahydrofuran, polytetrahydrofuran copolymers or diesters or monoesters thereof comprises polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one telogen and/or comonomer over an acid-activated calcium montmorillonite as catalyst, the calcium montmorillonite has a BET surface area of at least 300 m2/g, an acidity of at least 0.02 mmol/g at pKa<−3 and a pore volume of at least 0.40 cm3/g for pore sizes in the range from 30 to 200 Å.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing cyclic ethers over a heterogeneous catalyst comprises using a heterogeneous catalyst comprising one or more pillared interlayered clays (PILCs).

Abstract: A process for producing a poly(tetramethylene ether) glycol (PTMEG) or copolymer having a narrowed molecular weight ratio of 1.9 to 2.07 and a dispersity of 1.2 to 1.65 from a starting PTMEG or copolymer with a broader molecular weight distribution having a dispersity of 1.9 to 2.3 and a molecular weight ratio of 2.3 to 2.6 is provided by feeding the PTMEG or copolymer and an effective amount of an inert solvent to a stripping apparatus and stripping at a temperature of 150 to 220 degrees C. and a pressure of 0.5 to 5 mm of mercury.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for alkoxylating organic compounds comprising contacting an organic compound adapted to be alkoxylated with an alkylene oxide in a reaction vessel under conditions effective to alkoxylate the organic compound. The alkylene oxide is maintained in vapor form during transport to said reaction vessel, during discharge into said reaction vessel, and during contacting of the organic compound with the alkylene oxide. The result is an alkoxylated product containing less flocculant.

Abstract: Organo-Lewis acids of the formula BR′R″2 wherein B is boron, R′ is fluorinated biphenyl, and R″ is a fluorinated phenyl, fluorinated biphenyl, or fluorinated polycyclic fused ring group, and cationic metallocene complexes formed therewith. Such complexes are useful as polymerization catalysts.

Abstract: A resilient polyurethane foam produced by using a polyether polyol produced by reacting alkylene oxides with a polyhydroxy compound having at least 2 hydroxyl groups as an initiator in the presence of the catalyst for alkylene oxide ring-opening polymerization of the present invention, which is excellent in foam physical properties, vibration characteristics and molding properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides acetic anhydride, a method of purifying crude acetic anhydride, and a method of producing polyoxytetramethylene glycol using acetic anhydride.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of polyadducts of alkylene oxide on a chain initiator with at least one active hydrogen comprises the step of: (a) providing n reaction units constituted by a tubular reactor (11), and a heat exchanger (14) downstream of the tubular reaction (11); (b) supplying the preheated chain initiator and the alkylene oxide to the reactor of the first reaction unit; (c) reacting the chain initiator with the alkylene oxide to obtain a first mixture; (d) cooling the first mixture by means of the heat exchanger (14); (e) supplying the reactor of the following reaction unit with the cooled mixture and with alkylene oxide; (f) repeating the procedure until the last reaction unit and then discharging the last mixture containing the desired product. The tubular reactors are vertical and the chain initiator and alkylene oxide are sprayed into the top of the reactor where a gas liquid reaction occurs.

Abstract: Polytetrahydrofuran, tetrahydrofuran copolymers, diesters or monoesters of these polymers are prepared by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence of at least one telogen and/or comonomer on a heterogeneous carrier catalyst which contains on an oxidic carrier material as active mass a catalytically active amount of at least one oxygenous molybdenum and/or tungsten compound and, when the precursor compounds of the active mass have been applied to the carrier material precursor, has been calcined at temperatures of between 500° C. and 1000° C. The catalyst used contains a promotor which comprises at least one element or a compound of an element of the 2nd, 3rd including the lanthanides, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th or 14th group of the periodic system of elements.

Abstract: The invention is directed to new double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, a process for the preparation of these catalysts, and to a process for the preparation of polyetherpolyols by the polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds which contain active hydrogen atoms, wherein the catalyst comprises the novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst of the present invention. These new double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts comprise a) one or more double metal cyanide compounds, b) one or more organic complex ligands, and c) one or more cyclodextrins, with the proviso that b) and c) are different compounds. The catalysts of this invention exhibit greatly increased activity during preparation of a polyetherpolyol.

Abstract: Polytetrahydrofuran, copolymers of tetrahydrofuran and 2-butyne-1,4-diol, diesters of these polymers with C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acids or monoesters of these polymers with C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -monocarboxylic acids are prepared by polymerization of tetrahydrofuran in the presence of one of the telogens water, 1,4-butanediol, 2-butyne-1,4-diol, polytetrahydrofuran having a molecular weight of from 200 to 700 Dalton, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -monocarboxylic acid or an anhydride of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -monocarboxylic acid or a mixture of these telogens over a heterogeneous supported catalyst which comprises a catalytically active amount of an oxygen-containing molybdenum and/or tungsten compound on an oxidic support material and which has been calcined at from 5OO.degree. C. to 1OOO.degree. C.

Abstract: The synthesis of the organo-Lewis acid perfluorobiphenylborane (PBB) and the activation of metallocenes for the formation of a variety of highly active homogeneous Ziegler-Natta metallocene olefin polymerization, copolymerization and ring-opening polymerization catalysts is described.

Abstract: Polytetramethylene ether glycol diester of the formula ##STR1## wherein R and R.sup.1 are identical or different and are alkyl radicals having 1-4 carbon atoms, and n is an integer from 2 to 200, are prepared by polymerizing tetrahydrofuran in the presence ofi) an acid-activated polymerization catalyst selected from synthetic amorphous aluminum silicates, zeolite and kaolin, which has been calcined at from 350.degree. to 700.degree. C. before use,ii) a carboxylic anhydride, andiii) from 1 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the polymerization catalyst, of a metal from the 8th group of the Periodic Table of the Elements as a hydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Thus, there is provided according to the present invention polyol compositions comprising(A) a polytetramethylene ether glycol, and(B) a trifunctional active hydrogen compound-initiated polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol having a degree of unsaturation of not greater than 0.04 milliequivalents per gram of said polyether polyol.

Abstract: A process for the production of end-capped nonionic surfactants corresponding to formula (I): ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, n1 and n2 independently of one another represent 0 or a number from 1 to 10, m represents a number from 1 to 20 and R.sup.2 represents methyl or ethyl, by(a) etherifying a fatty alcohol polyglycol ether corresponding to formula (II): ##STR2## in which R.sup.1, n1, n2 and m are as defined above, with a dialkyl sulfate in the presence of a solid substantially water-free base and an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydride,(b) adding water to the crude ethers in such a quantity that phase separation occurs, and(c) removing the organic phase.

Abstract: An improved method for manufacturing diesters of polytetramethylene ethers involving the polymerization of tetrahydrofuran (THF) optionally with one or more comonomers (e.g., 3-methyl THF, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or the like) utilizing a solid acid catalyst (e.g., Nafion.RTM.) and a carboxylic acid with carboxylic acid anhydride (e.g., acetic acid with acetic anhydride) as molecular weight control agents wherein setting the pressure of the reactor while simultaneously achieving removal of the heat of reaction by operating under solvent/monomer evaporative reaction conditions effectively controls the reaction temperature. Such a process is useful in producing high purity commercial grade PTMEA that advantageously avoids problems caused by the high heat of reaction when such a process is scaled up to commercial level.