Stauffer Chemical Company

Walter L Magee, Jr

Arthur C Bayer

Jeffrey E Telschow

Mervin E Brokke

Esters of glyoxylic acids are formed by the oxidation of an organoglycolate ester using a hypohalide oxidizing agent, preferably under phase transfer conditions using a phase transfer catalyst. An example of a suitable oxidizing agent is sodium hypohalite, and a preferred starting material is methyl mandelate.

Process for forming esters of glyoxylic acids

Arylphosphinic acids are prepared by reacting an aromatic compound with phosphorus trichloride in the presence of aluminum chloride to form an aluminum/phosphorus complex and then hydrolyzing the complex with aqueous phosphoric acid to form the arylphosphinic acid as an insoluble phase and a soluble aluminum salt. The arylphosphinic acid and aluminum salt are then easily separated.

Preparation of arylphosphinic acids

Alkyl vanadates are prepared by the reaction of vanadium pentoxide and an alkyl alcohol while heating in the presence of an alkane azeotroping agent to assist in the removal of water by-product.

Method for preparation of alkyl vanadates

Tetraalkyl silicates are produced by the reaction of silicon metal with an alkanol in the presence of an alkali metal salt of an alkoxyalkoxy alcohol or a polyalkylene glycol in either an alkoxyalkoxy alcohol or a polyalkylene glycol or mixtures thereof and recovery of the product. Tetramethyl silicate and tetraethyl silicate are the preferred products. The preferred alkoxyalkoxy alcohol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol. The preferred glycol is diethylene glycol. An indifferent solvent and/or a hydroxide-scavenger may be employed in the reaction mixture.

Method for the production of tetraalkyl silicates

An improved process for reacting a mixture of branched and linear alcohols with a caustic, optionally in the presence of a catalyst, to produce a reaction mixture containing carboxylic acid salts, and to liberate hydrogen. The improvement comprises introducing into the reaction mixture at about a time when a significant evolution of hydrogen from the mixture begins to occur, an effective amount of an inert diluent for the reaction mixture. The effective amount is sufficient to maintain the fluidity of the reaction mixture. A preferred diluent is mineral oil. The improvement reduces the tendency of the reaction mixture to foam and solidify, thus permitting the reaction to proceed to completion and permitting the easy removal of the reaction mixture from the reaction zone. Additionally, the improvement insures that the branched and linear mixture of carboxylic acid salts produced substantially corresponds to the branched and linear mixture of alcohols reacted.

Process for producing a mixture of branched and linear carboxylic acid

Compositions containing certain polymeric alkoxysilanes and refractory materials. The polymeric alkoxysilanes comprise a polymer network having the average formula: ##EQU1## wherein each R is an independently selected hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether radical, each R.sup.1 is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical, and all of said radicals are free of aliphatic unsaturation: a has a value from 1 to 3; and b has a value from 0.0001 to 1.0. These polymers are made by reacting an alkoxysilane of the formula Si(OR).sub.a O.sub.4-a/2 with water and with an organosulfonic acid of the formula R.sub.1 SO.sub.3 H. The compositions are useful for the preparation of investment casting molds.

Composition containing polymeric alkoxysilane and refractory material

Compositions containing certain polymeric alkoxysilanes and zinc dust. The polymeric alkoxysilanes comprise a polymer network having the average formula: ##STR1## WHEREIN EACH R is an independently selected hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether radical, each R.sup.1 is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical, and all of said radicals are free of aliphatic unsaturation: a has a value from 1 to 3; and b has a value from 0.0001 to 1.0. These polymers are made by reacting an alkoxysilane of the formula ##STR2## WITH WATER AND WITH AN ORGANOSULFONIC ACID OF THE FORMULA R.sub.1 SO.sub.3 H. The compositions are useful for the protection of ferrous surfaces.

Composition containing polymeric alkoxysilane and zinc dust

Polymeric alkoxysilanes which comprise a polymer network of the average formula ##STR1## WHEREIN EACH R is an independently selected hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether radical, each R' is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical, all of said radicals being free of aliphatic unsaturation, a has a value from 1 to 3; and b has a value from 0.0001 to 1.0. These polymers are made by reacting an alkoxysilane of the formula ##EQU1## WITH WATER AND WITH AN ORGANOSULFONIC ACID OF THE FORMULA R.sup.1 SO.sub.3 H. These polymers are useful in zinc-rich paints and in binders for investment castings.

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Danbury, CT, United States of America

Walter L Magee, Jr