Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the single-stage preparation of polyoxyalkylene glycols by copolymerization of THF and neopentyl glycol in the presence of a heteropolyacid, wherein the total amount of all impurities of the formula (I) where R1 and R2 are each hydrogen when R3 is an oxyformyl or isopropionate radical, R1 is hydrogen and R2 is hydroxy when R3 is an isopropyl radical and R1 is hydrogen when R2 and R3 together form an —OCH2—C(CH3)—CH2— radical, in the neopentyl glycol is less than 1000 ppm.

Abstract: A hydrogenation catalyst which is suitable, in particular, for the hydrogenation of maleic anhydride and its derivatives to THF or its derivatives comprises copper oxide and at least one further metal or compound thereof, preferably an oxide, selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Zn, La, Ce, the elements of groups IIIA to VIIIA and the elements of groups IA and IIA and having a pore volume of ≧ 0.01 ml/g for pore diameters of >50 nm and a ratio of the pore volume of macropores having a diameter of >50 nm to the total pore volume for pores having a diameter of >4 nm of >10%.