Abstract: The invention provides an improved process for the preparation of double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts for the preparation of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides on to starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms, in which aqueous solutions of a metal salt and a metal cyanide salt are first reacted in the presence of an organic complexing ligand and optionally one or more further complex-forming components to form a DMC catalyst dispersion, this dispersion is then filtered, the filter cake is subsequently washed with one or more aqueous or non-aqueous solutions of the organic complexing ligand and optionally one or more further complex-forming components by a filter cake washing and the washed filter cake is finally dried, after an optional pressing out or mechanical removal of moisture.

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.