Abstract: A process is provided for the condensation of epoxides with organic compounds having an active hydrogen atom, such as alcohols, polyols, and amines, in the presence of a neutral inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium fluoborate, magnesium perchlorate, calcium perchlorate, manganese perchlorate, nickel perchlorate and zinc perchlorate.

Abstract: A process and flotation agents are provided for flotation of lead-, uranium-, and rare earth-type minerals and ores in which an aqueous pulp of the mineral or ore is subjected to a froth flotation, characterized in that the flotation is performed in the presence of a tertiary amine flotation agent having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is a aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from about six to about twenty four carbon atoms;A is an oxyalkylene group having from about two to about four carbon atoms;X is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl;m is a number within the range from 0 to about 10;n .sub.1 is a number within the range from 1 to about 4;n .sub.2 is 1, 2 or 3;x is a number within the range from 0 to about 4;y is 0 or 1;The sum of m + y being within the range from 1 to about 11; and salts thereof.The process is especially applicable in the flotation of sulphide and oxide ores and minerals.

Abstract: A detergent composition is provided having good cleaning effectiveness while simultaneously imparting to the material treated a soft feel and/or good conductivity for static electricity, and comprising a mixture of surfactants of which:A. from 30 to 90% by weight is a surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof; andB. from 10 to 70% by weight is a surfactant mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one cationic surfactant in a charge ratio anionic surfactant to cationic surfactant within the range from about 0.60 to about 0.90, suitably within the range from 0.70 to 0.95, and preferably within the range from about 0.75 to about 0.90.

Abstract: An improved process is provided for the continuous sulphonation and/or sulphation of organic substances with sulphur trioxide gas mixed with an inert gaseous diluent, at an increased production rate without impairment of product quality, while minimizing discoloration of the product, and the amounts of unsulphonated product in the product, and of unreacted sulphur trioxide in the residual gaseous mixture, by limiting the amount of sulphur trioxide introduced ab initio into the organic liquid to be sulphonated and/or sulphated to not exceeding 7%, and preferably within the range from about 0.25 to about 5%, of the stoichiometric amount required for the desired sulphonated or sulphated product, introducing the remaining sulphur trioxide over from about 20 to about 80%, preferably from about 25 to about 50%, of the remainder of the length of the reaction zone.

Abstract: Viscose solutions are provided having improved processability due to the presence therein of a nitrogen-free nonionic surface-active compound having a hydrocarbon group of at least eight carbon atoms and at least two oxyalkylene groups having from two to four carbon atoms, the oxyethylene groups comprising at least from 55 to 87% by weight of the compound.

Abstract: A liquid aqueous detergent composition is provided which contains a surface active portion, and a complexing agent, as well as, if desired, other components customarily included in detergent compositions, characterized in that the surface active portion mainly containsA. 30-70% of a surface active nonionic alkylene oxide adduct having the formulaRO(A).sub.x Hwhere R represents a hydrocarbon group of 8-24 carbon atoms, each A represents independently an oxyalkylene group derived from an alkylene oxide with 2-4 carbon atoms, x represents an integer from 5-50, the number of from ethylene oxide derived oxyalkylene groups being at least 60% of the total number of oxyalkylene groups; andB. 30-70% of a surface active phosphoric acid ester having the common formula(R'O).sub.y PO(OM).sub.3.sub.-ywhere R' is a straight or branched alkyl chain with 9-11 carbon atoms, y is an integer of 1 or 2 and M represents a monovalent cation.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and a process for the electroplating of metal or metal alloy coatings of high brightness on a base surface, and especially coatings of tin or tin-lead alloys having a high brightness. The compositions comprise a 2,4,6 -- substituted phenol, at least one substituent of which includes at least one secondary, tertiary or quaternary nitrogen atom or an alkylene oxide adduct of such phenol and, optionally, an aldehyde and/or a surface -- active compound.