Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polyether polyol containing at most about 15 ppm of sodium and potassium, comprising: (a) reacting an initiator having at least two active hydrogen atoms with at least one alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst having an alkali metal hydroxide to form a polyether polyol reaction product; (b) neutralizing the polyether polyol reaction product obtained in step (a) by contacting this reaction product with phosphoric acid and water; and (c) removing the salt crystals from the polyether polyol and recovering the neutralized polyether polyol containing at most about 15 ppm of sodium and potassium, wherein no adsorption agent and no hydrate of a metal salt of the acid are used before, during or after the neutralization.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for the treatment of an aqueous solution comprising sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate and sodium molybdate, said process comprising freeze crystallising the solution at the eutectic freezing point thereof and recovering substantially pure ice crystals, substantially pure sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate and an aqueous product solution containing dissolved sodium molybdate.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a polyether polyol containing at most about 15 ppm of sodium and potassium, comprising: (a) reacting an initiator having at least two active hydrogen atoms with at least one alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst having an alkali metal hydroxide to form a polyether polyol reaction product; (b) neutralizing the polyether polyol reaction product obtained in step (a) by contacting this reaction product with phosphoric acid and water; and (c) removing the salt crystals from the polyether polyol and recovering the neutralized polyether polyol containing at most about 15 ppm of sodium and potassium, wherein no adsorption agent and no hydrate of a metal salt of the acid are used before, during or after the neutralization.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a polyether polyol containing at most 20 ppm of sodium and/or potassium, which process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting an initiator having at least two active hydrogen atoms with at least one alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising an alkali metal hydroxide; (b) neutralising the polyether polyol reaction product obtained in step (a) by contacting this reaction product with an acid having a pKa of less than 5 and water, wherein the acid and water are added in such amount that after addition: the water content is 2% by weight or less on the basis of the total weight of polyether polyol present and the molar ratio of acid to alkali metal hydroxide is in the range of from 0.3 to 1.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of a co-initiated polyether polyol, which process comprises the steps of (a) preparing a mixture of at least one aromatic initiator, at least one polyethylene glycol and optionally one or more aliphatic initiators, (b) reacting the mixture obtained in step (a) in the presence of a suitable alkoxylation catalyst with at least one alkylene oxide having three or more carbon atoms per molecule using such quantity of alkylene oxide that the polyether polyol obtained has a hydroxyl value in the range of from 150 to 400 mg KOH/g, and (c) recovering the co-initiated polyether polyol. The co-initiated polyether polyol is very suitable for (the preparation of rigid polyisocyanurate-modified polyurethane foams. Such foams have a good flame retardancy.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a co-initiated polyether polyol, which process comprises the steps of: (a) preparing a mixture of at least one aromatic initiator, at least one polyethylene glycol and optionally one or more aliphatic initiators, (b) reacting the mixture obtained in step (a) in the presence of a suitable alkoxylation catalyst with at least one alkylene oxide having three or more carbon atoms per molecule using such quantity of alkylene oxide that the polyether polyol obtained has a hydroxyl value in the range of from 150 to 400 mg KOH/g, and (c) recovering the co-initiated polyether polyol. The co-initiated polyether polyol is [very] suitable for the preparation of rigid polyisocyanurate-modified polyurethane foams. Such foams have a good flame retardancy.

Abstract: A process for the carbonylation of ethylenically unsaturated compounds by reaction with carbon monoxide and a co-reactant in the presence of a substantially non-acidic catalyst system based on a palladium compound and a bidentate ligand of the formulaR.sub.1 R.sub.2 M.sub.1 RM.sub.2 R.sub.3 R.sub.4in which M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 may be phosphorus, arsenic or antimony atom, R is a bivalent organic bridging group, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are independently substituted or non-substituted aliphatic groups, with the proviso that R.sub.1 together with R.sub.2, and/or R.sub.3 together with R.sub.4 form a bivalent cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms whereby the two free valencies are linked to M.sub.1 or M.sub.2, respectively.Catalytic compositions employing the bidentate ligands used in this method in which M.sub.1 and M.sub.2 are phosphorous are also presented.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering a precious metal, particularly palladium, from a non-aqueous effluent comprising the metal and dissolved salt and/or polyether contaminants, wherein the effluent is contacted with a reduction agent, the precious metal is deposited onto a carrier, preferably comprising a combustible carbonaceous material, and the metal loaded carrier is separated from the effluent.