Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing a basic catalyst from a polyether polyol having a hydroxyl number of from 4 to 250 comprising adding from 0.7 to 7 percent by weight of water, based on the polyether polyol, to an alkaline reaction medium containing the polyether polyol at a temperature of from 20.degree. to 120.degree. C.; introducing 1 to 2 times the stoichiometric amount of gaseous carbon dioxide at a temperature of from 75.degree. to 120.degree. C., thereby forming a carbonate salt; and removing the carbonate salt by filtration.

Abstract: An improvement in the process for the preparation of formaldehyde by oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol with air in the presence of a silver catalyst at an elevated temperature wherein into the reactor in which the methanol is charged there is passed a stream of gas containing a halogen or halogen compound.

Abstract: Hydrocarbons containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms are oxidized by a process which includes the following steps:A. Reacting the hydrocarbons with a gas containing molecular oxygen in the presence of a boron compound;B. hydrolyzing the resulting reaction mixture which contains at least one boric acid ester with an aqueous medium containing boric acid;C. separating the hydrolyzate into a substantially organic component from which the oxidation product is recovered and a substantially aqueous component containing boric acid and water-soluble organic secondary products;D. recovering boric acid from the aqueous component;E. oxidizing the residual boric acid mother liquor from (d), or a part thereof in the liquid phase with a gas containing molecular oxygen; andF. returning the resulting solution from (e) to hydrolysis step (b).

Abstract: Hydrocarbons containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms are oxidized with a gas containing molecular oxygen in the presence of a catalyst and/or auxiliary agents. The resulting reaction mixture is saponified with an aqueous alkaline solution and the resulting alkaline solution containing organic impurities is subjected to liquid phase oxidation with a gas containing molecular oxygen in at least a stoichiometric quantity sufficient for completely burning the organic ingredients, the oxidation taking place in a reaction zone heated to at least 200.degree.C under a pressure sufficient to keep at least some of the water in the liquid phase. The alkali carbonate/bicarbonate solution formed is recycled to the hydrolysis stage.