Abstract: Unsaturated polyether monols are removed from polyether polyols by reaction with a functionalized thiol compound or a polythiol compound. This process replaces the terminal unsaturation with a functional group, or else couples two or more of the monols to form a polyol. The functionality of the polyether polyol product is increased by the removal of the monols.

Abstract: A process for the telomerization of butadiene comprises reacting 1,3-butadiene and an alkanol, in the presence of a catalyst promoter and an alkoxydimerization catalyst comprising a Group VIII transition metal and a triarylphosphine ligand, which includes one phenyl that is mono-ortho-alkoxy substituted and at least one other phenyl including at least one substituent that withdraws electrons from the phosphorus atom. The product includes an alkoxy-substituted octadiene, which may then be used to produce 1-octene. The catalyst shows improved stability, activity and selectivity toward the alkoxy-substituted octadiene.

Abstract: In an improved process for telomerizing butadiene, contact butadiene and an organic hydroxy compound represented by formula ROH (I), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-hydrocarbyl and the organic hydroxy compound is not glycerol, in a reaction fluid in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a phosphine ligand represented by formula PAr3 (II), wherein each Ar is independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl having a hydrogen atom on at least one ortho position, at least two Ar groups are ortho-hydrocarbyloxyl substituted aryls. The phosphine ligand has a total of two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), or six (6) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-hydrocarbyloxyls, and optionally, any two adjacent substituents on an Ar group can be bonded to form a 5- to 7-membered ring.

Abstract: A process for the telomerization of butadiene comprises reacting 1,3-butadiene and an alkanol, in the presence of a catalyst promoter and an alkoxydimerization catalyst comprising a Group VIII transition metal and a triarylphosphine ligand, which includes one phenyl that is mono-ortho-alkoxy substituted and at least one other phenyl including at least one substituent that withdraws electrons from the phosphorus atom. The product includes an alkoxy-substituted octadiene, which may then be used to produce 1-octene. The catalyst shows improved stability, activity and selectivity toward the alkoxy-substituted octadiene.

Abstract: In an improved process for telomerizing butadiene, contact butadiene and an organic hydroxy compound represented by formula ROH (I), wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-hydrocarbyl and the organic hydroxy compound is not glycerol, in a reaction fluid in the presence of a palladium catalyst and a phosphine ligand represented by formula PAr3 (II), wherein each Ar is independently a substituted or unsubstituted aryl having a hydrogen atom on at least one ortho position, at least two Ar groups are ortho-hydrocarbyloxyl substituted aryls. The phosphine ligand has a total of two (2), three (3), four (4), five (5), or six (6) substituted or unsubstituted C1-C20-hydrocarbyloxyls, and optionally, any two adjacent substituents on an Ar group can be bonded to form a 5- to 7-membered ring.

Abstract: To improve the handling characteristics and dispersibility of a sulfur containing froth, especially a froth obtained from the regeneration step in a process for scrubbing out and oxidizing H.sub.2 S, there is added to the scrubbing liquor an ionic or non-ionic surfactant, e.g., dioctyl or dodecyl sulfosucciniate in sufficient concentrations, e.g., 3-16 ppm, to substantially prevent the sulfur particles from becoming crusty and stiff, this technique being particularly applicable to the replacement of diethanolamine.

Abstract: Processes for the removal of hydrogen sulphide from gas streams and for the regeneration of spent scrubbing liquor used in an absorber to remove hydrogen sulphide from a gas stream, are disclosed. In the former process, hydrogen sulphide is removed by five-valent oxovanadium which is simultaneously reduced to its four-valent state, the precipitation of which is prevented by having a sufficiently high concentration of total alkalinity present in the scrubbing solution. In the latter process the four-valent oxovanadium is oxidized to its five-valent state, preferably by an oxygen-containing gas, and a suffficently high concentration of total alkalinity is provided in the scrubbing liquor to yield a desired re-oxidation rate of the four-valent oxovanadium.