Abstract: A method for enhancing the activity of a trilithium phosphate catalyst, useful for isomerizing alkylene oxides to the corresponding alcohols, in which dry catalyst is contacted with an aqueous solution containing a mineral acid such as phosphoric acid, and the acid-treated catalyst is thereafter separated from the aqueous solution, preferably water-washed, and then dried. The amount of acid in the aqueous solution is adjusted so that the pH of the solution in contact with the catalyst is maintained at a value of between 9 to 11.

Abstract: Preparing mixed phosphate ester compositions consisting essentially of 10% to 19% tributyl phosphate, 62% to 80% dibutyl phenyl phosphate, and 10% to 19% butyl diphenyl phosphate which comprises forming a first reaction product by reacting phosphorus oxychloride with phenol in a molar ratio of 1:0.8 to 1.0 until less than 1% unreacted phenol is present in the reaction mixture, reacting the first reaction product with excess n-butanol at a temperature below 35.degree. C to prepare a crude mixed phosphate ester composition comprising tributyl phosphate, dibutyl phenyl phosphate and butyl diphenyl phosphate, and purifying the crude composition leaving a substantially pure mixed phosphate ester composition.