Abstract: A process for producing polyols (such as neopentyl glycol) is disclosed which comprises reacting formaldehyde and another aldehyde in the presence of a trialkylamine catalyst and a base promoter to form an Aldol condensation reaction product. The base promoter improves removal of nitrogen containing salts prior to hydrogenation of the hydroxy aldehyde to produce the polyol. The improved process also reduces trialkylamine catalyst usage, improves trialkylamine catalyst recovery, and reduces nitrogen-containing salts prior to hydrogenation.

Abstract: A process for producing polyols (such as neopentyl glycol) is disclosed which comprises reacting formaldehyde and another aldehyde in the presence of a trialkylamine catalyst and a base promoter to form an Aldol condensation reaction product. The base promoter improves removal of nitrogen containing salts prior to hydrogenation of the hydroxy aldehyde to produce the polyol. The improved process also reduces trialkylamine catalyst usage, improves trialkylamine catalyst recovery, and reduces nitrogen-containing salts prior to hydrogenation.

Abstract: A method for bridging traffic over a network includes receiving, at stations that are coupled to the network, forwarding information for remote devices that are coupled to the network via the stations. The forwarding information associates a remote address of each remote device with an address of one of the stations. Each station that receives the forwarding information stores the forwarding information in a forwarding database. The method also includes receiving traffic at a first station from a first remote device that is coupled to the first station. The traffic includes a destination address that is a remote address of a second remote device that is coupled to a second station of the network. Furthermore, the method includes identifying an address of the second station that is associated with the remote address of the second remote device in the forwarding database. The method also includes communicating the traffic directly to the second station using the identified address.

Abstract: A hand held cellular telephone system including voice storage features which enable the cellular telephone to perform functions similar to a telephone answering device, a battery monitoring system for providing the user with a real time display of the amount of time remaining for use of the cellular telephone in both the standby and conversation modes, and an interface adapter which may be used to provide speakerphone functions, power the cellular telephone, and recharge the battery.