Abstract: Process for the recovery of a transition metal from an aqueous solution containing a complex of the transition metal with a cyclic phosphite by hydrolyzing the cyclic phosphite, contacting the hydrolysis reaction mixture with a compound forming a water-stable complex with the transition metal, extracting the reaction mixture thus formed with an organic extraction agent for the water-stable complex and separating an organic extract phase containing the transition metal from an aqueous raffinate phase. The process is particularly suitable for the recovery of the Rh or Co from spent hydroformylation catalysts and of Pd from spent carbonylation catalysts.

Abstract: This invention deals with a process for the preparation of macrocyclic polyethers of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein x is 1-9; k is 0 or 1 and each R, which may be the same or different, represents a hydrogen atom or a lower alkyl or aryl group, or two R bonded to two adjacent carbon atoms form together with these carbon atoms a cyclic hydrocarbyl configuration, by reacting a compound of the general formula: ##STR2## with a sulphonyl halide in the presence of a base and a halogen-containing solvent, preferably chlorobenzene. The process is of special interest for the manufacture of 18-crown-6.