Abstract: Compounds for controlling aquatic breeding insects including an ethoxylated alcohol with a carbon chain length of about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms and about 0 to about 16 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, where the carbon chain is linear or branched with an alkyl group are provided. Methods for making branched alcohol ethoxylated compounds and linear secondary alcohol ethoxylated compounds are also provided. Methods for controlling insects with the compounds are also provided.

Abstract: This invention describes a method for preparing polymethoxymethylal. By this method, polymethoxymethylal is prepared by a catalytic reaction using methanol and trioxymethylene as reactants and using an ionic liquid as catalyst under a relatively moderate reaction condition. The catalyst of this invention has a high catalytic activity and a high conversion; the reaction process is simple, easy to be operated and has a strong controllability; the distribution of the products after reaction is superior and the utilization ratio of the raw materials is high.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing pure alpha-alkoxy-?-hydroxy-polyalkylene glycols, creating small impurities of the product on high-molecular a-?-di-hydroxy-polyalkylene glycols. The method is based on the use of high-boiling initiator alcohols of the following general structure R2—(OCH2CHR)k—OH wherein R2 represents an alkyl radical comprising between 1 and 4 C atoms, preferably R2?CH3, k represents a number between 1 and 10, preferably between 1 and 4, and R represents H, CH3 or an alkyl radical comprising between 2 and 4 C atoms, preferably R?H, CH3. The use of the cited initiator alcohols enables the mixture of a basic catalyst and an initiator alcohol to be dried in such a way that it has a very low water content, and thus to produce very low concentrations of unwanted a-?-di-hydroxy-polyalkylene glycol impurities.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyoxymethylene dialkyl ethers of the formula H2m+1CmO(CH2O)nCmH2m+1 where n=2-10, m, identically or differently,=1 or 2, in which a dialkyl ether selected from dimethyl ether, methyl ethyl ether and diethyl ether, and trioxane are fed into a reactor and reacted in the presence of an acidic catalyst, the amount of water introduced into the reaction mixture by the dialkyl ether, trioxane and/or the catalyst being <1% by weight based on the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A cleaning preparation for cleaning hard surfaces including at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to general formula (I): R—O—(CnH2nO)m—H ??(I) in which R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl or alkenyl group containing at least 19 carbon atoms, m represents a value of 20 or more, and n represents 2 or 3 is provided. A surfactant mixture including at least one compound corresponding to the above general formula (I), and at least one additional compound is also provided. A liquid rinse agent including water; a solubilizer; and at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to the above general formula (I), where the at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to general formula (I) is present in quantities of from about 0.1 to about 25% by weight of the rinse agent is also provided.

Abstract: A polyether polyol is formed by a method utilizing a carboxy-modified aluminum-based catalyst. The method includes providing an alkylene oxide, providing an initiator molecule having at least one alkylene oxide reactive hydrogen, and reacting the alkylene oxide with the initiator molecule in the presence of the catalyst. The ideal carboxy-modified aluminum based catalysts used herein are selected from the group of carboxy-modified aluminum phosphate catalysts, carboxy-modified aluminum phosphonate catalysts, and residues or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: An activated, substantially water soluble poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having of a linear or branched poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and at least one terminus linked to the backbone through a hydrolytically stable linkage, wherein the terminus is branched and has proximal reactive groups. The free reactive groups are capable of reacting with active moieties in a biologically active agent such as a protein or peptide thus forming conjugates between the activated poly(ethylene glycol) and the biologically active agent.

Abstract: Novel detergent molecules and methods for producing such detergent molecules by dimerizing and alkoxylating butadiene with one or more reactant alkanol selected from the group consisting of a primary alkanol and an ?, ?-diol, hydrogenating the alkoxydimerization product to produce a hydrogenation product selected from the group consisting of primarily 1-alkoxy substituted 2-octene and primarily 1-hydroxy-alkoxyoctane, and hydroxylating the 1-alkoxy substituted 2-octene to produce primarily 1-hydroxy-9-alkoxy nonanes.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O?X+ ??(I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion, with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMs ??(II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1 . ??(III) Substantially monodispersed mixtures of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties are also disclosed.

Abstract: A detergent composition having cold water solubility and exhibiting high calcium tolerance can be produced from biodegradable branched ether derivative compositions derived from a branched ether primary alcohol represented by the formula: wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 represents a hydrocarbyl radical having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms, x is a number ranging from 0 to 16, preferably from 3 to 13, wherein the total number of carbon atoms in the alcohol ranges from 9 to 24.

Abstract: An activated, substantially water soluble poly(ethylene glycol) is provided having of a linear or branched poly(ethylene glycol) backbone and at least one terminus linked to the backbone through a hydrolytically stable linkage, wherein the terminus is branched and has proximal reactive groups. The free reactive groups are capable of reacting with active moieties in a biologically active agent such as a protein or peptide thus forming conjugates between the activated poly(ethylene glycol) and the biologically active agent.

Abstract: A process for preparing polyether polyols includes a precipitation step, a recrystallization step, and a reaction step. In the precipitation step, a multimetal cyanide compound is precipitated by reaction of a metal salt with a cyanometalate compound. In the recrystallization step, the multimetal cyanide compound precipitated above is recrystallized by adding further metal salt and/or further cyanometalate compound. The recrystallization forms a multimetal cyanide catalyst compound. In the reaction step, an initiator and one or more alkylene oxide are reacted in the presence of the multimetal cyanide catalyst compound.

Abstract: A refrigerating machine oil for a carbon dioxide refrigerant according to the invention is a refrigerating machine oil comprising polyalkylene glycol represented by the following general formula (1): R1{—(OR2)n—OH}m??(1) [where R1 represents a residue of an organic compound having a hydroxyl group, from which the hydroxyl group has been removed, R2 an alkylene group, and m and n respective integers], wherein a number average molecular weight of the polyalkylene glycol is not less than 500 nor more than 5000, wherein a rate of ethylene group among the alkylene group in the polyalkylene glycol is more than 0 and not more than 80 mol %, and wherein a rate of molecules in which the alkylene group bonded to a terminal hydroxyl group in the polyalkylene glycol is an ethylene group, is not more than 20 mol %.

Abstract: Solid laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners which are obtained by mixing gemini surfactants of the formula (I), R1CH(OH)CHR3(OCH2CH2)nOCHR4CH(OH)R2??(I) in which R1 and R2,independently of one another, are linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl radicals having 4 to 22 carbon atoms, R3 and R4, independent of one another, each represents a hydrogen or an alk(en)yl radical having from 1 to 22 carbon atoms and n is a number from 5 to 400, with inorganic or organic carriers.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the preparation of surfactant alcohols and surfactant alcohol ethers which are, inter alia, highly suitable as surfactants or for the preparation of surfactants. The process, starting from olefin mixtures having a defined minimum content of linear hexenes, gives mixtures having a predominant fraction of branched dodecenes, which are subsequently derivatized to give surfactant alcohols and then optionally alkoxylated. The surfactant alcohol mixture obtained in the process has a degree of branching of from 2.0 to 3.0 and in particular exhibits advantageous properties as regards ecotoxicity and biodegradability. A description is also given of the use of the surfactant alcohols and surfactant alcohol ethers as surfactants by glycosidation or polyglycosidation, sulfation or phosphation.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for the preparation of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, wherein the catalyst contains a) double metal cyanide compounds, b) organic complex ligands other than c), and c) complex ligands formed by introduction of a glycidyl ether into the catalyst. The catalysts according to the invention have greatly increased activity in the preparation of polyether polyols.

Abstract: This invention provides water-based compositions, particularly coating, ink, fountain solution and agricultural compositions, manifesting reduced equilibrium and dynamic surface tension by the incorporation of a surface tension reducing amount of an acetylenic diol ethylene oxide/propylene oxide adduct of the structure: where r and t are 1 or 2, (n+m) is 1 to 30 and (p+q) is 1 to 30. Also disclosed is a method for making random and block EO/PO adducts of acetylenic diols by reacting an acetylenic diol with EO and/or PO in the presence of a trialkylamine or Lewis acid.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing, in high purity and high yield, heterobifunctional derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) or related polymers. A chromatographic purification step is not necessary in the method. In accordance with the method of the invention, an intermediate polymer having a formula of W-Poly-OH is provided bearing a removable group W at one terminus. The intermediate polymer W-Poly-OH is first altered by modifying the OH group to a first functional group X, followed by the removal of W to generate a second hydroxyl group. The latter hydroxyl group may then be further converted to a second functional group Y, thus providing the desired heterobifunctional derivative.

Abstract: A non-polydispersed mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises a drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may exhibit higher in vivo activity than a polydispersed mixture of similar conjugates. The mixture may be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates. The mixture may result in less inter-subject variability than polydispersed mixtures of similar conjugates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel hexa-arm polyethylene glycol (6-arm PEG) and its derivatives. The core of 6-arm PEG derivatives is sorbitol and the end groups can be derivatized into many different reactive functionalities that are useful in conjugating with many different targets. The present invention also provides a biodegradable polymeric hydrogel-forming composition comprising the 6-arm PEG and its derivatives, and methods of using such 6-arm PEG derivatives as surgical or biological implants or sealants.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O−X+  (I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion,  with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMs  (II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1  (III).

Abstract: The invention relates to double-metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for preparing polyether polyols by the polyaddition of alkylene oxides on to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, wherein the DMC catalysts are composed of: a) at least one DMC compound; b) at least one organic complexing ligand which is not a cyclic polyol; and c) at least one cyclic polyol. The DMC catalysts of the present invention have increased activity compared to known catalyst.

Abstract: Methods of synthesizing a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties include: reacting a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula I: R1(OC2H4)n—O−X+  (I) wherein R1 is H or a lipophilic moiety; n is from 1 to 25; and X+ is a positive ion, with a substantially monodispersed mixture of compounds having the structure of Formula II: R2(OC2H4)m—OMS  (II) wherein R2 is H or a lipophilic moiety; and m is from 1 to 25, under conditions sufficient to provide a substantially monodispersed mixture of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties and having the structure of Formula III: R2(OC2H4)m+n—OR1  (III). Substantially monodispersed mixtures of polymers comprising polyethylene glycol moieties are also disclosed.

Abstract: Polyethylene glycol for use in fields with application to a living body wherein the sum of the contents of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in the polyethylene glycol is less than or equal to that expressed in the following formula [I]: Sum ⁢   ⁢ of ⁢   ⁢ ethylene ⁢   ⁢ glycol ⁢   ⁢ and ⁢   ⁢ diethylene ⁢   ⁢ glycol ⁢   ⁢ contents ⁢  

Abstract: A rinse agent composition containing: (a) a gemini surfactant corresponding to formula I: R—CHOH—CH2—[OCH2CH2]x—O—CH2—CHOH—R  (I) wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl radical having from about 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and x is a number from about 5 to 90; and (b) a fatty alcohol alkoxylate corresponding to formula II: R1O[CH2(CH3)CHO]q(CH2CH2O)rH  (II) wherein R1 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group having from about 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and q is a number up to about 10, and r is a number from about 1 to 50, and wherein (a) and (b) are present in the composition in a ratio by weight of from about 1:1 to 4:1.

Abstract: In multimetal cyanide complexes, more than 30% by weight of the primary particles have a platelet-like habit, i.e. the length and width of the primary particles is at least three times the thickness of the particles.

Abstract: Mixtures comprising: (a) a gemini surfactant of the formula (I) R1—CHOH—CH2—[OCH2CH2]x—O—CH2—CHOH—R  (I) wherein each of R and R1 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms and x is a number from about 5 to about 400; (b) polyethylene glycol are useful as components in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners and for improving the wetting behavior on various surfaces.

Abstract: The invention relates to gemini surfactants, optionally in combination with ingredients customary in dishwashing detergents and cleaners, optionally with further nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, and to the use of such gemini surfactants for improving the wetting behavior and the compatibility with plastics, for the simplified preparation of solid cleaners and as foam-suppressing surfactant in rinse aid formulations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method of producing double-metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for the production of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, in which the DMC catalyst dispersion is produced using a mixing nozzle, preferably a jet disperser. The DMC catalysts produced in this way have an increased activity in polyether polyol production, reduced particle size and narrower particle size distribution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides onto starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double-metal cyanide catalyst wherein a reaction mixture is guided at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 105 J/m3 and wherein the residence time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: The invention relates to gemini surfactants, optionally in combination with ingredients customary in laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents and cleaners, optionally with further nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, and to the use of such gemini surfactants for improving the wetting behavior and the compatibility with plastics, for the simplified preparation of solid cleaners and as foam-suppressing surfactant in rinse aid formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of an amino compound, which is an esteramine or an amidoamine surfactant with improved biodegradability, as an adjuvant for agrochemically active compounds such as pesticides or fertilizers. The adjuvant has Formula (I) where R1 is an aliphatic group containing 7-22 carbon atoms; EO is an ethyleneoxy group; Y is 0 or NH; R2 and R3 is independently CH2CH2OH or an alkyl group with 1-5 carbon atoms, preferably 1-3 carbon atoms; n is a number between 0-10; x is a number 0-1 provided that when Y is O, then x is 1, and when Y is NH, then x is O; and m is a number 2-6, preferably 2-3, provided that when Y is NH, then m is 3-6, preferably 3; or an adduct obtained by reacting one mole of the compound with 1-5 moles of an alkylene oxide having 2-3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A mixture of conjugates in which each conjugate in the mixture comprises a calcitonin drug coupled to an oligomer that includes a polyalkylene glycol moiety is disclosed. The mixture may lower serum calcium levels in a subject by 10, 15 or even 20 percent or more. Moreover, the mixture may be more effective at surviving an in vitro model of intestinal digestion than non-conjugated calcitonin. Furthermore, the mixture may exhibit a higher bioavailability than non-conjugated calcitonin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to labeled compounds, for example, isotopically enriched mustard gas metabolites including: [1,1′,2,2′-13C4]ethane, 1,1′-sulfonylbis[2-(methylthio); [1,1′,2,2′-13C4]ethane, 1-[[2-(methylsulfinyl)ethyl]sulfonyl]-2-(methylthio); [1,1′,2,2′-13C4]ethane, 1,1′-sulfonylbis[2-(methylsulfinyl)]; and, 2,2′-sulfinylbis([1,2-13C2]ethanol of the general formula where Q1 is selected from the group consisting of sulfide (—S—), sulfone (—S(O)—), sulfoxide (—S(O2)—) and oxide (—O—), at least one C* is 13C, X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and deuterium, and Z is selected from the group consisting of hydroxide (—OH), and —Q2—R where Q2 is selected from the group consisting of sulfide (—S—), sulfone(—S(O)—), sulfoxide (—S(O2)—) an

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a DMC catalyst useful in the polymerization of alkylene oxides into polyether polyols, which process having the steps of (a combining an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an aqueous solution of a metal salt with an aqueous solution of a metal cyanide salt and reacting these solutions, wherein at least part of this reaction takes place in the presence of an organic complexing agent, thereby forming a dispersion of a solid DMC complex in an aqueous medium; (b) combining the dispersion obtained in step (a) with a liquid, which is essentially insoluble in water and which is capable of extracting the solid DMC complex formed in step (a) from the aqueous medium, and allowing a two-phase system to be formed consisting of a first aqueous layer and a layer containing the DMC complex and the liquid added; (c) removing the first aqueous layer; and (d) recovering the DMC catalyst from the layer containing the DMC catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a polyether polyol by polyaddition of an alkylene oxide onto a starter compound containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst comprising conducting a reaction mixture at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 5×106 J/m3, wherein the dwell time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: A cleaning composition containing a gemini surfactant corresponding to formula I: R—CHOH—CH2—[OCH2CH2]x—O—CH2—CHOH—R  (I) wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl radical having from about 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and x is a number from about 5 to 90.

Abstract: A single-stage method for producing &agr;-hydroxy ethers by oxidizing olefinic substrates with organic hydroperoxides and opening the resultant oxirane ring by means of monovalent or polyvalent alcohols wherein a molybdenum compound in combination with a compound selected from the group consisting of boron trifluoride, aluminum oxides, 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene or 1,4-diazabicyclo-[2.2.2]-octane, and mixtures thereof is used as a catalyst system.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for the preparation of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, wherein the catalyst contains a) double metal cyanide compounds, b) organic complex ligands other than c), and c) carboxylic acid ester of polyhydric alcohols. The catalysts according to the invention have greatly increased activity in the preparation of polyether polyols.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high heat resistance and low viscosity polyoxytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) having the following characteristics (1) to (4): (1) a number average molecular weight of from 500 to 3000; (2) a molecular weight distribution of 1.8 or less in terms of the Mw/Mn ratio; (3) a content of high molecular weight PTMG molecules of from 2 to 5% by weight, wherein the high molecular weight PTMG molecules are PTMG molecules having molecular weights which are at least six times as large as the number average molecular weight of all PTMG molecules; and (4) a heteropolyacid content of from 10 to 900 ppb by weight.

Abstract: A liquid mixture is described having a cetane number higher than 40, characterized in that it consists of: a typical diesel gas oil cut having a boiling point ranging from 150 to 380° C. and a density ranging from 0.76 to 0.935 g/ml at 15° C.; one or more compounds selected from dialkyl-polyformals represented by the formula: RO(CH2O)mR wherein R is a CnH2n+1 alkyl chain m is an integer equal to or greater than 2 and less than or equal to 6, n is an integer ranging from 1 to 10, wherein the concentration of said dialkyl-polyformals in the gas oil ranges from 1 to 20% by volume. A process is also described for the production of dialkyl-polyformals, starting from alcohols and/or dialkylformals and formaldehyde in the presence of sulfonic acids optionally substituted.

Abstract: A novel process for the purification of poloxamers which contain aldehyde impurities, and particularly for the purification of the poloxamers named poloxamer 188 and poloxamer 407, which process includes dissolving the poloxamer(s) in a solvent which solvent may optionally contain an acid or a mixture of acids; if the solvent in which the poloxamer(s) has been dissolved is free from acid, acid is added; whereafter the aldehydes are removed.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for preparing, in high purity and high yield, heterobifunctional derivatives of poly(ethylene glycol) or related polymers. A chromatographic purification step is not necessary in the method. In accordance with the method of the invention, an intermediate polymer having a formula of W-Poly-OH is provided bearing a removable group W at one terminus. The intermediate polymer W-Poly-OH is first altered by modifying the OH group to a first functional group X, followed by the removal of W to generate a second hydroxyl group. The latter hydroxyl group may then be further converted to a second functional group Y, thus providing the desired heterobifunctional derivative.

Abstract: A refrigerating machine oil for a carbon dioxide refrigerant according to the invention is a refrigerating machine oil comprising polyalkylene glycol represented by the following general formula (1):

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising methanol, a soluble condensation promoting component capable of activating a heterogeneous acidic catalyst and a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of methanol in the presence of a catalyst comprising copper and zinc, and heating this feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Advantageously, methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers are formed and separated in a catalytic distillation column. By including within the column a section containing an anion exchange resin, an essentially acid-free product is obtained.

Abstract: The invention is a high molecular weight polyether polyol prepared by the reaction of one or more compounds having one or more active hydrogen compounds with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst comprising calcium having counterions of carbonate and a C6-10 alkanoate in a solvent or dispersant which does not contain active hydrogen atoms. The polyether polyol prepared preferably has an equivalent weight of from about 10,000 to about 30,000, a polydispersity of 1.3 or less and a residual catalyst level of from more than 0 to about 2000 parts per million (ppm). In another embodiment the invention is a process for preparing such high molecular weight polyether polyols. The process comprises first, contacting one or more compounds having one or more active hydrogen atoms with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst comprises calcium having counterions of carbonate and a C6-10 alkanoate in a solvent, wherein the solvent does not contain active hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: A continuous alkoxylation process for the production of polyether polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a plurality of reaction modules each having an outer tube and an inner tube with annular chamber between them. A spiral reaction tube is spaced from the inner tube and winds around the inner tube within the annular chamber. The spiral reaction tube includes an inlet and an outlet, each of which extend through said outer tube. A heat exchange medium flows through the annular chamber and controls the reaction temperature in the spiral reaction tube. The process comprises continuously forming an initial reaction mixture of at least one alkylene oxide and an initiator having at least one reactive hydrogen which is reactive to the alkylene oxide.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for producing a poly(alkylene ether) glycol which comprises polymerizing a cyclic ether in the presence of at least a catalyst and a carboxylic acid anhydride, wherein the carboxylic acid anhydride has a ketene dimer content of 50 ppm or lower, and a process for producing a poly(alkylene ether) glycol which comprises polymerizing a cyclic ether in the presence of at least a catalyst and acetic anhydride, wherein the acetic anhydride is purified acetic anhydride obtained by treating acetic anhydride by contacting with at least one of a metal oxide and a mixed oxide, and optionally, distilling the acetic anhydride simultaneously with or after the contact treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel double-metal cyanide catalysts for the preparation of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, wherein the catalyst contains a) double metal cyanide compounds, b) organic complex ligands other than c), and c) glycoside. The catalysts according to the invention have greatly increased activity in the preparation of polyether polyols.

Abstract: A particularly useful process which includes the steps of providing a feedstream comprising providing a source of formaldehyde formed by conversion of dimethyl ether in the presence of a catalyst comprising tungsten oxide; and (i) heating the feedstream with the heterogeneous acidic catalyst in a catalytic distillation column to convert methanol and formaldehyde present to methylal and higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers and to separate the methylal from the higher polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed, and/or (ii) contacting the source of formaldehyde and a predominately dimethyl ether feedstream with a heterogeneous, condensation promoting catalyst capable of hydrating dimethyl ether under conditions of reaction sufficient to form an effluent comprising water, methanol, formaldehyde, dimethyl ether, and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers is disclosed. Unreacted dimethyl ether is recovered from the effluent and recycled to the formation of polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers.