Snamprogetti

Marcello Mazzei

Walter Marconi

Nicola Palladino

Mario Riocci

Paolo Bacchin

For the asymmetrical hydrogenation of prochiral olefins, a catalyst system is proposed which is a Rhodium cationic complex immobilized on a clay-like mineral such as hectorite, bentonite and haloysite.

Asymmetric hydrogenation of prochiral olefins by complexes of transition

Polymers of the type commonly used in packaging are rendered degradable through the action of sunlight by adding thereto up to 3% of an olefinically unsaturated compound containing at least two double bonds, such as 1,6-diphenylhexatriene.

Process for rendering polymers degradable and polymers obtained thereby

A novel process for making polymers degradable by the direct action of sunlight is disclosed. The process is based on the addition to the polymer of a compound having the formula: ##EQU1## in which R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of aromatic radicals with the proviso that one or two of them may be selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl and arylalkyl.

Process for making degradable polymers and degradable polymers obtained

A copolymer of ethylene and vinyl alcohol which contains ketoether groups and is photodegradable under the direct action of sunlight is prepared by reacting an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer with alpha-diazoacetophenone in the presence of an organic solvent and a catalyst consisting of a Lewis acid.

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Milan, Italy

Marcello Mazzei