The present invention relates to a coalescing agent and a coating composition containing the coalescing agent as represented in structure (I); [Formula should be inserted here] wherein; n is integer from 1 to 8; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represents group selected from alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, or benzyl groups; and X represents group selected from hydroxy or amine. The coalescing agent according to this invention contains low amount of volatile organic compounds, has no pungent odour, and environmental friendly. Moreover, it provides good efficacy when being used as coating component.

##STR00001##

A thermochromic pigment composition including compounds of formula (I): ##STR00001## in which: X represents CHR.sub.2, O, OCO or CH?CH; Y represents O, COO, or OCOO; R.sub.1 represents H or (CH.sub.2).sub.pCH.sub.3; R.sub.2 represents phenyl or H; m=12-18; n=0-14; p=12-18; and on the condition that, if n=0, X represents CHR.sub.2 or CH?CH. The thermochromic pigment compositions having compounds of formula (I), include thermochromic pigment microcapsules. The thermochromic pigment capsules are useable for thermochromic pigment compositions in ink which may be used writing instruments.

Recycled content dioctyl adipate (r-DOA) is produced using a process and system that applies credit-based recycled content from one or more feed materials to DOA produced from the feed materials.

Recycled content dioctyl adipate (r-DOA) is produced using a process and system that applies credit-based recycled content from one or more feed materials to DOA produced from the feed materials.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

The invention includes methods and materials for forming and manipulating aromatic-based polymers and copolymers using biomass compounds as starting materials. Embodiments of the invention can be used in processes designed to replace those used in the petro-chemical industry. Typical embodiments of the invention include methods and materials for forming and/or modifying compounds including dicarboxylic acid ester dimers, benzoxazines and dicarboxylic acid ether dimers. Embodiments of the invention further provide methods and materials for utilizing these compounds to form commercially desirable polymers having structures and physical properties akin to those found in polymers formed from petroleum products.

Provided is a novel liquid crystalline elastomer that can reversibly undergo phase transition between a liquid crystalline phase and an isotropic phase thereof in a relatively low temperature region. A liquid crystalline elastomer precursor comprising a mesogenic group to which an oxide compound is attached, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond and at least two active hydrogen groups. A liquid crystalline elastomer comprising the liquid crystalline elastomer precursor cross-linked by a trifunctional or higher-functional isocyanate compound and/or polyol compound, wherein the liquid crystalline elastomer has a molecular moiety excluding the mesogenic group, the molecular moiety having at least one ester bond, and the liquid crystalline elastomer reversibly changes a state thereof between a liquid crystalline phase and isotropic phase thereof in response to a change in temperature thereof.

Dicarboxylic acids, such as adipic acid, and diesters, such as adipates, may be produced by hydrogenating alkynes that may be produced from raw materials salvaged from waste stream processes. The carbons of the dicarboxylic acids are provided by alkynes generated from biomass waste and carbon dioxide recovered from waste streams such as exhaust gases.

Dicarboxylic acids, such as adipic acid, and diesters, such as adipates, may be produced by hydrogenating alkynes that may be produced from raw materials salvaged from waste stream processes. The carbons of the dicarboxylic acids are provided by alkynes generated from biomass waste and carbon dioxide recovered from waste streams such as exhaust gases.

Provided is a production method whereby corresponding carboxylic acid anhydrides and carboxylic acid esters can be obtained at high yield from various carboxylic acids even without a solvent and near room temperature. A method for producing a carboxylic acid anhydride represented by formula (II), the method comprising reacting a compound represented by formula (I) and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a Group II metal compound having an ionic ligand containing an oxygen atom. A method for producing a carboxylic acid ester, the method comprising reacting a carboxylic acid anhydride produced by the aforementioned method and an alcohol. In formula (I), R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbon group. In formula (II), R.sup.2 represents a C.sub.1-20 hydrocarbon group.