Abstract: Alkali metal alkoxides are prepared by reacting alkali metal amalgam with alcohol in the presence of a catalyst comprising iron having a carbon content of at least 0.3% by weight.

Abstract: An electrolytic cell comprises an agitated, alkali metal amalgam-containing anode, an alkali metal ion-conducting solid electrolyte and a cathode, wherein the solid electrolyte and the cathode are separated from one another by a liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: A process for producing metallic lithium starting from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt comprises the following steps: (I) Production of a lithium amalgam from an aqueous solution of at least one lithium salt; and (II) Electrolysis using an anode comprising the lithium amalgam, a solid electrolyte which conducts lithium ions, and liquid lithium as cathode, wherein the lithium amalgam as anode is kept in motion.

Abstract: Orthoesters are prepared by reacting 1,1,1-trihaloalkanes with alkali metal alkoxides in the presence of the corresponding alcohol, a slurry of the alkali metal alkoxide in the corresponding alcohol being used.

Abstract: Carboxylic esters are prepared by reacting carboxylic acids with low-boiling alcohols by charging the reaction mixture to a 1st distillation column, withdrawing the reaction components carboxylic ester, water and unconverted alcohol as overhead product and charging this overhead product to a 2nd distillation column, from which(a) the overhead product comprises the alcohol or an azeotropic mixture of alcohol and water or alcohol and esteer, this overhead product being recycled into the esterification reaction(b) a liquid side product comprising carboxylic ester and water is withdrawn from the stripping section and separated in a phase separating vessel into water and carboxylic ester and the carboxylic ester is returned into the distillation column below the side takeoff point, and(c) the bottom product removed is the carboxylic ester.