Abstract: A process for producing polycarboxylic acids or salts thereof by contacting a polysaccharide with nitrogen dioxide and dinitrogen tetroxide at a charging temperature in the range from the boiling point of nitrogen dioxide under a particular pressure to a temperature which is 50.degree. C. higher than said boiling point, oxidizing the primary alcohol groups of the polysaccharide at a temperature which is at least about 10.degree. C. above said charging temperature to convert the primary alcohol groups into carboxyl groups, and optionally, at least partially neutralizing the carboxylic acid groups formed.

Abstract: Ether carboxylic acids of the formula (I):R--(OC.sub.m H.sub.2m).sub.n --O--CH.sub.2 COOM (I)wherein R is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 22 carbon atoms, an aryl group or an aralkyl group; m is 2 or 3; n is a number from 1 to about 200; M is an alkali metal are made by oxidation of an ether alcohol wherein the ether alcohol, oxygen, and an alkali metal hydroxide are continuously added to an aqueous dispersion of a noble metal catalyst under reduced pressure.