Abstract: A method of producing an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant or lubricant, the method including reacting a low molecular weight initiator with ethylene oxide in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 1, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a first fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 includes a second fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a first fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a third fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a second fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, and the low molecular weight initiator has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The one or more monomers includes at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide. The polymerization catalyst is a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol that includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a number average molecular weight of less than 1,000 g/mol and a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 2, the one or more monomers including at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1. Whereas, M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, and R3 each includes a same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group. The method further includes forming a polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of greater than the number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight initiator in the presence of the Lewis acid catalyst.

Abstract: A Lewis acid polymerization catalyst has a general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 is a 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)-substituted phenyl group, R2 is the 3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl) substituted phenyl group or a first fluoro-substituted phenyl group selected from Set 1 structures, R3 is independently a second fluoro-substituted phenyl group selected from the Set 1 structures, and optional R4 includes a third functional group or functional polymer group.

Abstract: A method of producing an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant or lubricant includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with ethylene oxide in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 1, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2 and R3 each includes a same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group. R1, R2, and R3 are the same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group. The method further includes forming the alcohol ethoxylate surfactant or lubricant having a number average molecular weight of greater than the number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight initiator in the presence of the Lewis acid catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to monophosphaguanidine ligands and the bis ligated metal-complexes formed therefrom, wherein the metal-ligand complexes are polymerization catalysts comprising the following structure (I).

Abstract: An aryl phosphine with fused ring ortho-alkoxy substitution that includes an aryl monophosphine and an aryl bi-sphosphme.

Abstract: An aryl phosphine with fused ring ortho-alkoxy substitution that includes an aryl monophosphine and an aryl bi-sphosphme.

Abstract: A catalytic system for reductive carbonylation of an alcohol that includes a rhodium complex, an iodide-containing catalyst promoter, and a supporting phosphorus-containing bidentate ligand for the rhodium complex containing at least one aromatic substituent covalently attached to at least one phosphorus of the supporting phosphorus-containing bidentate ligand in an ortho position with an alkoxy substituent or an aryloxy substituent.