Abstract: Alkoxylated alcohols containing both short and long chain oxyalkylene units are useful as reduced calorie fat substitutes in food compositions. The alkoxylated alcohols provide good organoleptic properties even though not highly esterfied with fatty acid.

Abstract: Fatty acid-esterified polytetramethylene ether glycols are useful as reduced calorie fat substitutes in food composition. Fat mimetics of this type have good organoleptic properties as well as high resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation, making them especially suitable for the preparation of fried and baked foods. In certain embodiments, fat substitutes having a high solids content at room or body temperature may be readily obtained without the use of high proportions of long chain saturated fatty acids.

Abstract: A convenient method of obtaining useful highly esterified alkoxylated polyol fat substitutes from readily available triglycerides such as fats and oils is provided.

Abstract: Novel polyether polyols are disclosed which contain an internal block of isobutylene oxide or a mixture of isobutylene oxide and a mono- or unsaturated alkylene oxide and an end-cap of a mono- or unsubstituted alkylene oxide to provide reactive primary or secondary hydroxyl end-groups. The polyether polyols are useful intermediates in the production of segmented elastomers. A process for the preparation of the novel polyols is also described in which an alkali metal catalyst and a crown ether cocatalyst are employed to afford polyols containing relatively low levels of unsaturation.

Abstract: Lactone monomers are polymerized using double metal cyanide compounds as catalysts to yield useful lactone polymers. Block or random copolymers of lactones and epoxides may also be prepared.

Abstract: Novel polyether polyols are disclosed which contain an internal block of isobutylene oxide or a mixture of isobutylene oxide and a mono- or unsaturated alkylene oxide and an end-cap of a mono- or unsubstituted alkylene oxide to provide reactive primary or secondary hydroxyl end-groups. The polyether polyols are useful intermediates in the production of segmented elastomers. A process for the preparation of the novel polyols is also described in which an alkali metal catalyst and a crown ether cocatalyst are employed to afford polyols containing relatively low levels of unsaturation.

Abstract: A method for removing double metal cyanide complex catalyst from polyether polyols is disclosed which uses alkali metal compounds and phosphorous compounds to precipitate the residual catalyst, which may then be removed by filtration. In one embodiment, a propylene oxide polyol is treated with sodium metal dispsersion, capped with ethylene oxide, treated with magnesium silicate, and then filtered to remove at least a portion of the catalyst. Substantially complete catalyst removal is then achieved by treating the polyol with hypophosphorous or phosphorous acid to precipitate the remaining solubilized double metal cyanide complex catalyst residue, neutralizing the excess acid with magnesium silicate, and filtering.

Abstract: The reaction products of metal salts and alkali metal cyanometallates are not easily separated because the particle size of the metallate is too small to allow filtration under normal conditions. Centrifugation, dialysis, or conversion to a filterable metal hydroxide salt are the methods previously described for separating the alkali metal salt formed during reaction from the catalyst. Reaction in the presence of an inert filter-aid has been found to give a filterable catalyst which can be washed clean of the alkali metal salt.

Abstract: A method for removing double metal cyanide complex catalyst residue from polyols using alkali metal hydrides is disclosed. In one embodiment, the catalyst residue is converted into an insoluble ionic metal species and separated by filtration using magnesium or aluminum silicate to facilitate separation.