Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing an alkali metal pyrophosphate useful, for example, as a plant food. Broadly, the method comprises reacting an alkali metal nitrate and aqueous phosphoric acid in the presence of catalytic amount of a metal oxide at a temperature of at least about 700.degree.C to produce a substantially pure alkali metal pyrophosphate and gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: A method of separating methylolphenols from an organic solution containing the methylolphenols by contacting the organic solution with an aqueous alkaline borate solution in which lithium ions are present in a quantity greater than any other single alkali metal ion for a period of time sufficient to form a solid complex of the lithium and boron with the methylolphenols which then are separated from the organic solution.The methylolphenols subsequently may be recovered from the complex by decomposing the complex with acid and dissolving the released methylolphenols in an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for recovering niobium from a hydrochloric acid solution which contains niobium and vanadium and which may also contain other metals such as, for example, zirconium, titanium, iron, chromium and aluminum. Broadly, the method comprises heating such a solution at a low pH for a period of time sufficient to form a niobium-containing precipitate substantially free of vanadium. Preferably, the solution is heated in the presence of a small amount of sulfuric acid. The precipitate then is recovered from the solution.