Abstract: Mixed olefin polymerization catalysts, methods for preparing olefin polymers using the catalysts, and polymers obtained therefrom are disclosed. The mixed catalyst system comprises the combination of (a) a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1, (b) either a Group 8-10 transition metal complex of a bidentate or tridentate ligand comprising at least one nitrogen donor selected from Set 1 or a bidentate ligand comprising a nitrogen-nitrogen donor selected from Set 2, or a Group 4 transition metal complex of a multidnentate ligand comprising at least 1 cyclopentadienyl or indenyl ring selected from Set 3 or a titanium or chromium Ziegler-Natta catalyst selected from Set 4, and optionally (c) a compound Y.

Abstract: Disclosed are novel phosphinometallocenylamides that are useful as ligands for asymmetric catalysis. The novel ligands, which are readily modifiable, contain both a phosphine and an amide functionality linked by a metallocene backbone. In addition, the novel compounds are phosphine-amides derived from a phosphine-amine, rather than a phosphine-carboxylic acid. Further, described herein are both processes to make the novel ligands as well as processes that employ such ligands in a catalytically active composition comprising one or more phosphinometallocenylamide compounds in complex association with one or more Group VIb or Group VIII metals to provide chiral products. Further, we describe exemplary catalyst complexes incorporating the novel ligands.

Abstract: Disclosed are thermally-stable, colored, photopolymerizable compounds containing a vinyl group which are capable of being copolymerized with reactive vinyl monomers to produce colored compositions such as polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polystyrene, etc. The compounds exhibit good thermal stability, fastness (stability) to UV-light, good solubility in the reactive monomers and good color strength.

Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compounds, and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of iridium and tin associated with a solid carrier material.

Abstract: A vapor-phase carbonylation method for producing esters and carboxylic acids from reactants comprising lower alkyl alcohols, lower alkyl alcohol generating compositions and mixtures thereof. The method includes contacting the reactants and carbon monoxide in a carbonylation zone of a carbonylation reactor under vapor-phase conditions with a catalyst having a catalytically effective amount of platinum and tin associated with a solid carrier material.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and an apparatus for the manufacture of an L-ascorbic acid product in high yield by direct conversion of an aqueous solution containing 2-keto-L-gulonic acid by contact with an acid catalyst or under thermal self-catalyzed conditions at a conversion level that maximizes the formation of L-ascorbic acid and minimizes decomposition of the L-ascorbic acid thus formed. The separation process for L-ascorbic acid and KLG is operated in such a way that an efficient separation process allows the majority of the KLG to be recycled for further conversion. The product stream from the separation process is then subjected to a recovery step to obtain crystalline L-ascorbic acid product.

Abstract: This invention relates to new cyclodextrin derivatives, processes for producing these cyclodextrin derivatives, and inclusion complexes comprised of the new cyclodextrin derivatives and guest molecules, as well as methods of making such materials and related materials and methods of using the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to oxygen scavenging compositions comprising a) platelet particles having attached thereto at least one oxygen scavenging organic cation and b) at least one oxidation catalyst. The oxygen scavenging compositions of the present invention maybe readily incorporated into a variety of matrix polymers to create polymer composites, which display improved passive barrier and oxygen scavenging capabilities. Articles formed from these composites are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is described a novel process for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene, at least one monomer unit selected from heteroatom substituted olefin monomer units derived from a compound of the formula XV wherein E and G represent the same or different heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are bound to a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or are joined by a linking group; and n is 0 or an integer from 1-20; or 2,3-dihydrofuran, and optionally carbon monoxide, and interpolymers prepared thereby, including novel interpolymers having melting peak temperatures (Tm) equal to or greater than 50° C.

Abstract: A novel process for the polymerization of olefins is provided. The process involves contacting at least one olefin with a Ziegler-Natta type catalyst in the presence of a specified compound that results in the production of polymeric products having a narrower molecular weight distribution. Also provide is a process for narrowing the molecular weight distribution of a polyolefin comprising contacting an olefin, a Ziegler-Natta catalyst and a compound specified herein. Further provided are novel polyethylenes, and films and articles produced therefrom.

Abstract: There is described a novel process for preparing interpolymers comprising ethylene, at least one monomer unit selected from heteroatom substituted olefin monomer units derived from a compound of the formula XV wherein E and G represent the same or different heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur, which are bound to a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, or a substituted hydrocarbyl group, or are joined by a linking group; and n is 0 or an integer from 1-20; or 2,3-dihydrofuran, and optionally carbon monoxide, and interpolymers prepared thereby, including novel interpolymers having melting peak temperatures (Tm) equal to or greater than 50° C.

Abstract: Supported metal halides and metal halide solid acids are used as catalysts for the polymerization of a feed stream containing at least one of pure monomer, C5 monomers, and C9 monomers to produce hydrocarbon resins. Freely-associated water may be removed from the solid acid catalyst prior to use. Resins with softening points (Ring and Ball) in the range of about 5° C. to 170° C. can be prepared. These catalysts offer advantages over the traditional Friedel-Crafts polymerization catalysts since the acid sites are an integral part of the solid. The solid acid catalysts are relatively nonhazardous, reusable catalysts which eliminate or at least reduce contamination of the resulting resin products with acid residues or by-products.

Abstract: Improved Group 8-10 transition metal based supported catalyst processes for the polymerization of olefins are described. Some of the improvements pertain to protocols for catalyst preparation and activation which improve the catalyst productivity in the presence of hydrogen as a molecular weight control agent.

Abstract: Low color, aromatic modified C5 hydrocarbon resins are disclosed. The resins are predominantly an aromatic modified piperylene resin. The resins are useful as tackifiers in hot melt adhesives and hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: A compositional blend of from about 50 to about 99 weight percent of a polyester and from about 1 to about 50 weight percent of an essentially, linear, random aliphatic-aromatic copolyester or branched and/or chain extended copolyester thereof is useful as a heat-shrinkable film.

Abstract: This invention describes the use of organoclays as additives to plasticizers to provide a plasticizer composition, to allow the mixing of the plasticizers with thermoplastic resins in the same process used to convert the resin formulation to finished product. The use of this invention eliminates the need for a preliminary compounding step to incorporate plasticizers into thermoplastics prior to extrusion or molding.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of recovering and purifying 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (epoxybutene) from an epoxidation effluent gas obtained by the vapor phase, catalytic, partial oxidation of 1,3-butadiene (butadiene) with molecular oxygen in the presence of a silver catalyst wherein the epoxybutene-laden epoxidation product gas is reacted with a water-miscible solvent to absorb the epoxybutene. The disclosed process includes a method of separating epoxybutene from the solvent and other reaction by-products by a novel combination of distillation and decantation steps.

Abstract: Disclosed are substantially enantiomerically pure bis-phosphine compounds comprising a substantially enantiomerically pure chiral backbone linking two phosphine residues wherein one of the phosphine residues has three phosphorus-carbon bonds and the other phosphine residue has two phosphorus-carbon bonds and one phosphorus-nitrogen bond wherein the nitrogen is part of the chiral backbone. The compounds, which have exhibited surprising air stability, are useful as ligands for metal catalysts for asymmetric reactions and have demonstrated excellent results, in particular as rhodium complexes for asymmetric hydrogenation of enamide, itaconate, and &agr;-ketoester compounds. Also disclosed are novel processes for the preparation of the bis-phosphine compounds and novel intermediate compounds useful in the preparation of the bis-phosphine compounds.

Abstract: A novel process for producing homopolymers and interpolymers of olefins which involves contacting an olefin and/or an olefin and at least one or more other olefin(s) under polymerization conditions with a metallocene catalyst and dinitrogen monoxide in amounts sufficient to reduce the electrostatic charge in the polymerization medium. Also provided is a process for reducing electrostatic charge in the production of polyolefins by introducing dinitrogen monoxide into the polymerization medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of obtaining a cellulose material from corn fiber wherein the method comprises the steps of: (a) heating a mixture of corn fiber and a liquid; (b) contacting the mixture of step (a) with a protease enzyme, thereby providing a proteolyzed corn fiber and a liquid; (c) separating the liquid from the proteolyzed corn fiber; (d) contacting the proteolyzed corn fiber at least once with an alkaline extractant, thereby providing an insoluble cellulose material and a first liquid comprising arabinoxylan; (e) separating the insoluble cellulose material from the first liquid comprising arabinoxylan at a temperature of at or above about 60° C.; and (f) rinsing the insoluble cellulose material to remove essentially all alkali, thereby providing a cellulose material having a cellulose content of at least about 50% and consisting essentially of cellulose I. Cellulose esters and ethers are also prepared from the derivatizable cellulose prepared according to the methods herein.