Abstract: A process for the preparation of ethylene glycol by the vapor phase hydrogenation of oxalate esters, such as a dibutyl oxalate, at elevated temperatures and at relatively low hydrogen pressures in the presence of a suitable hydrogenation catalyst, such as a copper chromite catalyst, while minimizing the hydrogenolysis of the glycol and other side reactions and maximizing the hydrogenation catalyst activity.

Abstract: A polyoxazolidone composition is prepared by heating a reaction mixture comprised of a cyclic nitrile compound, an epoxide, a metal halide catalyst, and, optionally, a polyhydroxyl, polyamine or polythiol containing compound. The reaction mixture may be stable at normal handling and storage temperatures and may be in the form of a dry powder or a liquid.

Abstract: Storage stable urethane-type polymer producing compositions in dry powdered form are presented comprised of a cyclic nitrile compound of the formula ##EQU1## WHEREIN X is carbonyl, thionyl or oxalyl, R is an organic radical which is free of reactive hydrogen atoms, and n is 2 or more, such as adipodi(nitrile carbonate), a nucleophilic compound containing a reactive hydrogen atom, such as a polyester or polyether polyol and a catalyst comprised of a halide of a metal of Group IIb of the Periodic Table of Elements. The preferred catalysts are zinc chloride and zinc bromide.