Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe initiating systems comprising an activator and an initiator, wherein the activator includes an alkyl borane or alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen. Embodiments of the present disclosure further describe methods of making a polycarbonate comprising contacting a cyclic monomer and carbon dioxide in the presence of an activator and an initiator to form a polycarbonate, wherein the catalyst is one or more of an alkyl borane and alkyl aluminum, wherein the initiator includes an organic cation and either an alkali metal or a compound containing an active protic hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing at least one ether compound, comprising reacting at least one alcohol (I) with at least one polyol (II) in the presence of a functional polymer [polymer (F)] as a catalyst (X), wherein: the alcohol (I) is represented by the general formula (1): R1-OH (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, the polyol (II) is represented by the general formula (2): R2-(OH) m (2) wherein R2 represents the skeleton moiety of the polyol and m is an integer of from 2 to 20, and polymer (F) is a polymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer [monomer (M)] and bearing at least one cation exchange group. Further disclosed is a surfactant composition obtained by said process, and featuring an excellent detergency performance.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process to carry out an ester hydrolysis wherein the ester compound (c) is made from at least an alcohol (a) and a carboxylic acid (b), and wherein said alcohol (a) and said carboxylic acid (b) are forming a biphasic liquid system when mixed together; comprising at least a step of producing an ester compound (c)/water emulsion by using as stabilizing species amphiphilic solid particles of nanometric dimension and optionally a catalyst X.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process to carry out an ester hydrolysis wherein the ester compound (c) is made from at least an alcohol (a) and a carboxylic acid (b), and wherein said alcohol (a) and said carboxylic acid (b) are forming a biphasic liquid system when mixed together; comprising at least a step of producing an ester compound (c)/water emulsion by using as stabilizing species amphiphilic solid particles of nanometric dimension and optionally a catalyst X.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing at least one ether compound, comprising reacting at least one alcohol (I) with at least one polyol (II) in the presence of a functional polymer [polymer (F)] as a catalyst (X), wherein: the alcohol (I) is represented by the general formula (1): R1-OH (1) wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 36 carbon atoms, the polyol (II) is represented by the general formula (2): R2-(OH) m (2) wherein R2 represents the skeleton moiety of the polyol and m is an integer of from 2 to 20, and polymer (F) is a polymer comprising recurring units derived from at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer [monomer (M)] and bearing at least one cation exchange group. Further disclosed is a surfactant composition obtained by said process, and featuring an excellent detergency performance.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an ether compound is disclose, wherein the ether compound is prepared via a reaction from at least an alcohol (I) and an alcohol (II), optionally using a catalyst X, wherein alcohol (I) and alcohol (II) are forming a biphasic liquid system when mixed together; comprising at least the following steps: a) Producing an alcohol (I)/alcohol (II) emulsion by using as stabilizing species amphiphilic solid particles of nanometric dimension; optionally comprising a catalyst X; b) Proceeding to the reaction of the ether compound by setting temperature, and c) Isolating the ether compound.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an ether compound is disclose, wherein the ether compound is prepared via a reaction from at least an alcohol (I) and an alcohol (II), optionally using a catalyst X, wherein alcohol (I) and alcohol (II) are forming a biphasic liquid system when mixed together; comprising at least the following steps: a) Producing an alcohol (I)/alcohol (II) emulsion by using as stabilizing species amphiphilic solid particles of nanometric dimension; optionally comprising a catalyst X; b) Proceeding to the reaction of the ether compound by setting temperature, and c) Isolating the ether compound.