Mooney Chemicals, Inc.

Anthony Alkaitis

Paul L Cells

Transition metal hydroxides of the first transitional series are prepared by reacting a transition metal with water, a nitrogen-containing compound, one or more aliphatic or alicyclic monocarboxylic acids containing at least eight carbon atoms and a diluent in the presence of oxygen. Only small amounts of the acid and nitrogen-containing compound are required. The reaction mixture also can contain dispersants. The method of the invention avoids the corrosion and pollution problems which are present in some prior art processes. The transition metal hydroxides prepared in accordance with the invention are free of salt contamination.

Preparation of transition metal hydrates by direct metal reaction

Metallo-organic compositions soluble in oils and hydrocarbon solvents, of a high transitional metal content and highly overbased character, are prepared from sources of transitional metals (or of transitional in conjunction with nontransitional metals) reacted with mixed organic acids comprising at least one monocarboxylic acid and a second acid, either a sulfonic acid or a different molecular weight monocarboxylic acid. Formation of the complexes requires the use of excesses of metal over acids, and the use of an oxygen-supplying material such as air, regardless of whether the metal source be a free metal, an oxide or a hydroxide. Alkoxyalkanols or glycols may be used in addition to the required acids. These compositions comprise (1) a polynuclear core of a normally insoluble metal oxide or hydroxide which is crystalline by X-ray and electron diffraction observation, with metal hydroxyl carboxylate groups (and when present, sulfonate or alkoxyalkanol or glycol groups) ionically and hydrogen bonded to the core element atoms, and additional acid groups having an unbound association with a core and its bonded groups; (2) ultimate particles having structure with minimum average undissociated molecular weight of about 10.sup.4 ; and (3) a ratio of total moles of metal to total moles of organic acid moieties being greater than 1 to 1.

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Cleveland Heights, OH, United States of America

Anthony Alkaitis