3M Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

Markus A Wicki

Kent E Nielsen

Stephen E Amos

George G Moore

Myhanh T Truong

Ibrahim S Gunes

Tony R Carrozzella

Chantelle McRoberts

Irem Bolukbasi

The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that, surprisingly, the antimicrobial treatments used on cellulosic sponges do not work in hydrophilic polyurethane sponges. As such, the inventors of the present disclosure discovered a need for an antimicrobial treatment for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges. The present inventors invented one antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including an acetate salt solution humectant. The present inventors invented another antimicrobial composition for use on hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges including a non-halogen humectant comprising a salt solution having a pH between about 3 and 10 and a water activity of less than 0.9 at 25&#xb0; C.

Antimicrobial hydrophilic polyurethane foam sponges

A process for preparing functional group-containing olefinic compounds comprises the steps of (a) reacting at least one alkylidene phosphorane with at least one carbonyl-containing compound that comprises at least one group that is a leaving group, or that is capable of subsequent conversion to a leaving group, to form an olefinic compound that comprises at least one leaving group, the carbonyl-containing compound being selected from the group consisting of ketones and aldehydes; and (b) reacting the olefinic compound with at least one functional group-containing nucleophile to form a functional group-containing olefinic compound.

Process for preparing functional group-containing olefinic compounds

Modifying agents for polyolefins improve the physical and/or optical properties of the polymers and have formula (I): ##STR1## and salts thereof, wherein X, Y, Z, R and R1 are as defined in the specification.

Modifying agents for polyolefins

Modifying agents for polyolefins enhance nucleation and crystallization of the polyolefins and provide improved optical and/or physical properties. The modifying agents are compounds of formulas (I) and (II): or a salt thereof, wherein X, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 and R8 are as defined in the specification.

Sulfonic acid salts of compounds of formula (I): ##STR1## wherein X, Y, Z and R1 are as defined in the specification are useful as clarifying and/or nucleating agents for polyolefins.

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Markus A Wicki