Abstract: Process for preparing an alkoxylated alcohol comprising reacting a starting monohydroxy alcohol selected from secondary alcohols, tertiary alcohols and mixtures thereof with an alkylene oxide in the presence of hydrogen fluoride and a boron-containing compound comprising at least one B—O bond. The alcohol may also be a primary monohydroxy alcohol when the boron containing compound is boric acid or boric acid anhydride or a mixture thereof, or may be a primary mono hydroxy alcohol, except a C14/C15 alcohol when reacted with ethylene oxide in the presence of HF and trimethyl borate. A phenol may be alkoxylated in the same way instead of the mono-hydroxyalcohol.

Abstract: Mixed bis-imine pyridine ligands of formula (I), wherein Z1, which is different from Z2, is an optionally substituted aryl group; and Z2 comprises an optionally substituted heterohydrocarbyl moiety, or an optionally substituted aryl group in combination with a metal, said optionally substituted aryl group being ?-co-ordinated to the metal; mixed bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); mixed ionic bis-imine pyridine complexes comprising a ligand of formula (I); and processes for the production of alpha olefins from ethylene, using said complexes.