A compound of formula (I): MX.sub.y, alone or in combination with a compound of formula (II): MX.sub.zL, useful as a catalyst for accelerating the crosslinking of a reactive epoxy monomer, oligomer or polymer to form an epoxy thermoset resin, is provided. In formulas (I) and (II), M represents a rare earth metal cation, X represents an anion of formula R—Z—O″, wherein R represents a hydrocarbon radical optionally substituted with one or more halogen atom and —Z— represents —S(═O).sub.2— or —O—S(═O).sub.2—, z=y+1, and L represents Na.sup.+, H.sup.+, or a combination thereof.

A compound of formula (I): MX.sub.y, alone or in combination with a compound of formula (II): MX.sub.zL, useful as a catalyst for accelerating the crosslinking of a reactive epoxy monomer, oligomer or polymer to form an epoxy thermoset resin, is provided. In formulas (I) and (II), M represents a rare earth metal cation, X represents an anion of formula R—Z—O″, wherein R represents a hydrocarbon radical optionally substituted with one or more halogen atom and —Z— represents —S(═O).sub.2— or —O—S(═O).sub.2—, z=y+1, and L represents Na.sup.+, H.sup.+, or a combination thereof.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

This invention relates to azirconium hydroxideor zirconium oxide comprising, on an oxide basis, up to 30 wt % of a dopant comprising one or more of silicon, sulphate, phosphate, tungsten, niobium, aluminium, molybdenum, titanium or tin, and having acid sites, wherein the majority of the acid sites are Lewis acid sites. In addition, the invention relates to a catalyst, catalyst support or precursor, binder, functional binder, coating or sorbent comprising the zirconium hydroxide or zirconium oxide. The invention also relates to a process for preparing zirconium hydroxide, the process comprising the steps of:(a) dissolving a zirconium salt in an aqueous acid, (b) addingone or more complexing agents to the resulting solution or sol, the one or more complexing agents being an organic compound comprising at least one of the following functional groups: an amine, an organosulphate, a sulphonate, a hydroxyl, an ether or a carboxylic acid group, (c) heating the solution or sol formed in step (b), (d) adding a sulphating agent, and (e) adding a base to form a zirconium hydroxide, and (f) optionally adding a dopant.

A method for preparing a biodegradable polyester elastomer includes a following steps comprising: dissolving a predetermined amount of titanium dioxide in an aqueous mixture of sulphuric acid, DI water, and ethanol to form a first solution; refluxing the first solution in a silicone oil bath and a stirring speed of 300-450 rpm at a temperature of 90-100° C. to form a second solution; preparing a solid superacid catalyst by drying, grinding and calcining sulfated titania and using this catalyst to produce a biodegradable polyester elastomer.

A method for preparing a biodegradable polyester elastomer includes a following steps comprising: dissolving a predetermined amount of titanium dioxide in an aqueous mixture of sulphuric acid, DI water, and ethanol to form a first solution; refluxing the first solution in a silicone oil bath and a stirring speed of 300-450 rpm at a temperature of 90-100° C. to form a second solution; preparing a solid superacid catalyst by drying, grinding and calcining sulfated titania and using this catalyst to produce a biodegradable polyester elastomer.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a sulfated metal oxide catalyst for chlorination, and a method for producing a reaction product containing methyl chloride (CH.sub.3Cl) by using the sulfated metal oxide catalyst. A sulfated zirconia catalyst and a sulfated tin oxide catalyst are disclosed as the sulfated metal oxide catalyst for chlorination.

The production of an oxygen-absorbent composition is provided, having: (a) a porous silica encapsulation matrix; and (b) a composition containing an oxygen-absorbent compound selected from fatty acids, unsaturated esters or compounds containing same, and, optionally, a catalyst based on an inorganic salt of a transition metal, wherein the composition (b) is encapsulated in the porous silica matrix (a). The composition can form part of the structure of the packaging for oxidation sensitive products or be placed in the surrounding atmosphere to reduce the concentration of oxygen. A method for encapsulating the active compound or the active compound together with a catalyst, and subsequently incorporating same into polymer matrices is also provided.

The production of an oxygen-absorbent composition is provided, having: (a) a porous silica encapsulation matrix; and (b) a composition containing an oxygen-absorbent compound selected from fatty acids, unsaturated esters or compounds containing same, and, optionally, a catalyst based on an inorganic salt of a transition metal, wherein the composition (b) is encapsulated in the porous silica matrix (a). The composition can form part of the structure of the packaging for oxidation sensitive products or be placed in the surrounding atmosphere to reduce the concentration of oxygen. A method for encapsulating the active compound or the active compound together with a catalyst, and subsequently incorporating same into polymer matrices is also provided.