Abstract: Alkylene oxide adducts of organic compounds having an active hydrogen are prepared by a process in which an active hydrogen reactant and an alkylene oxide reactant are reacted in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more bimetallic oxo compounds of the formula (RO).sub.n M--O--M'--O--M(OR).sub.n, wherein each R is (independently) an optionally-substituted organic moiety, M' is a divalent metal selected from the elements of Groups Va, VIa, and VIIa of the Periodic Table, each M is (independently) a trivalent or tetravalent metal, and each n is 2 if the adjacent M is trivalent of 3 if the adjacent M is tetravalent. The products are useful, for instance, as nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations. In certain preferred embodiments, the process yields a product having a very desirable distribution of alkylene oxide adducts.

Abstract: Alkylene oxide adducts of organic compounds having an active hydrogen are prepared by a process in which an active hydrogen reactant and an alkylene oxide reactant are reacted in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more bimetallic oxo compounds of the formula (RO).sub.n M--O--M'--O--M(OR).sub.n, wherein each R is (independently) an optionally-substituted organic moiety, M' is a divalent metal selected from the elements of Groups VIII, Ib, IIb, IIIb, and IVb of the Periodic Table, each M is (independently) a trivalent or tetravalent metal, and each n is 2 if the adjacent M is trivalent of 3 if the adjacent M is tetravalent. The products are useful, for instance, as nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations. In certain preferred embodiments, the process yields a product having a very desirable distribution of alkylene oxide adducts.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of low molecular weight polyalcohols by the catalytic hydrogenation of a mixture of different low molecular weight hydroxy aldehydes, hydroxy ketones and optionally also polyhydric alcohols such as is formed from the autocondensation of formaldehyde (such a mixture will hereinafter be referred to as "formose"). The invention also relates to the use of these polyalcohols for the production of polyurethane resins.

Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol based sizing solution containing a small amount of low ethylene oxide adduct of branched alcohol provides superior operability during sizing and weaving, and yields fabric that exhibits improved finishing performance.

Abstract: Water soluble thickeners made by alkoxylating monohydric alcohol hydrophobes are described. The monohydric alcohol should have at least 18 carbon atoms to be properly hydrophobic. In addition, a large proportion of ethylene oxide must be added, such that the molar ratio of ethylene oxide to monohydric alcohol hydrophobe is at least 40:1. Improved results are obtained if 8-15 moles of propylene oxide are added as a block to the single mole of hydrophobe first. The alkoxylations are necessary to provide the desired viscosities and hydrophilic nature. These thickeners are particularly useful in the glycol-water based fluids of this invention.

Abstract: A method for promoting the activity and/or extending the life of a cation-exchangeable layered clay catalyst in reactions susceptible to catalysis by protons which method comprises the addition to the catalyst of water as the sole additive. The quantity of water employed is suitably up to 40%, preferably up to 10% based on weight of reactants. The layered clay catalyst can be for example montmorillonite, bentonite or vermiculite. Suitable proton catalyzed reactions include formation of esters, (e.g. by reaction of olefin and carboxylic acid), ethers, aldehydes, thioethers and alkylation and cracking reactions.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising mixtures of HF and metal alkoxides and mixed metal alkoxides produce a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to a process which comprises modifying a conventional polyoxyalkylene polyol by capping all the hydroxyl groups of the polyol with benzyl, aryl, substituted benzyl, substituted aryl or alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. This process comprises reacting the conventional polyoxyalkylene polyol with an alkali metal methoxide followed by reaction with an alkali metal hydride which in turn is followed by reaction with an organic halide.

Abstract: The invention is a process for recovering coal or mineral values from raw coal or mineral ore which comprises subjecting the raw coal or mineral ore in the form of an aqueous pulp, to a floatation process in the presence of a floatation collector, and a flotating amount of a floatation frother which comprises the reaction product of an alitphatic C.sub.6 alcohol and between about 1 and 5 moles of propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof, under conditions such that the coal or mineral values are recovered.

Abstract: An ether compound is advantageously produced by an ether exchange reaction of a different ether compound and a hydroxy group containing compound in the presence of a heteropoly acid or an acidic salt thereof as the catalyst. The catalyst is novel and is extremely effective to the present process and brings about less by-products compared to other processes or other catalysts.

Abstract: Catalysts producing a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials comprise mixtures of BF.sub.3 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, SiF.sub.4 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, or mixtures of these catalysts.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of addition products of epoxides and hydroxylated compounds, characterized by the fact that it comprises the reaction of an epoxide and a hydroxylated compound in the homogeneous liquid phase, in the presence, as catalyst, of a salt of trifluoromethanesulphonic acid.

Abstract: Catalysts and a method of using said catalysts for the alkoxylation of a variety of materials is disclosed. Catalysts so described produce alkoxylates having a very sharp alkoxylate distribution. The catalysts are supported and unsupported dialkoxy and dialkyl metal fluorides and halides and alkyl metal difluorides and dihalides.

Abstract: The filter cake formed by the filtering of a alkylene oxide polymer during the refining of the same contains a minor amount of alkylene oxide polymer which can be recovered therefrom by treating the filter cake with a lower aliphatic alcohol or an aqueous solution of lower aliphatic alcohol. Methanol is the preferred lower aliphatic alcohol.

Abstract: A process for purifying crude polyether polyols which are prepared by anionic polymerization of alkylene oxides in the presence of basic catalysts. The polyols are mixed with water and ortho-phosphoric acid in certain quantity ratios, an adsorption agent is incorporated in the reaction mixture, the mixture is filtered and the water is removed from the polyether polyol by distillation.

Abstract: Hydroxyl compounds are oxyalkylated by contacting them with an alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, in the presence of a perfluorocarbon polymer containing pendant sulfonic acid groups.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the preparation of storage-stable alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers having the general formulaR--(O--A--).sub.n OHin which A represents an ethylene or propylene group, R denotes a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl group, and n has a value of 1 to 4. They are prepared by carrying out the fractional distillation of a mixture which is produced by the alkali catalyzed reaction of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide with an alcohol in the presence of 0.1 to 20 ppm of ammonia based on the amount of the mixture.

Abstract: Catalysts producing a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials comprise mixtures of BF.sub.3 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, SiF.sub.4 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, or mixtures of these catalysts.

Abstract: A composition of matter in the form of a coordination complex which is the product of the reaction of an alkali metal or alkali metal hydroxide of a polyglycol or a polyglycol monoalkyl ether and oxygen having utility as a decomposition reagent for halogenated organic compounds.

Abstract: Alkanol alkoxylates having utility, for instance, as nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations are prepared by the reaction of C.sub.6 to C.sub.30 alkanols with C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of one or more soluble basic compounds of magnesium and additionally in the presence of as a reaction activator at least about 2 percent by mole, calculated on moles of alkanol, of alkoxylates of one or more C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkanols having in the alkoxylate molecules from one to about 30 adducts of one or more alkylene oxides selected from the class consisting of C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene oxides.

Abstract: Some 4-(2'-hydroxy-3'-alkoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolanes are prepared by reacting alkylglycidyl ethers with acetal or ketal derivatives of glycerol in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst. Also disclosed is a process for preparing certain 2-hydroxy-3-alkoxy-propylglyceryl ethers, which process comprises subjecting the 4-(2'-hydroxy-3'-alkoxy)propoxymethyl-1,3-dioxolanes to hydrolysis. The above processes can afford intended reaction products with good yield without need for any special post-reaction treatment.

Abstract: A method for preparation of secondary alcohol mixtures by selective reaction of an olefin or olefin mixture and a carboxylic acid compound in the presence of a particular type of shape selective zeolite catalyst. The reaction selectively produces .alpha.-methylalkyl carboxylate enriched ester product which, upon subsequent hydrolysis, yields the desired 2-alcohol enriched secondary alcohol product.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of secondary alcohol mixtures by selective reaction of an olefin or olefin mixture and a carboxylic acid compound in the presence of zeolite mordenite. The reaction selectively produces .alpha.-methylalkyl carboxylate enriched ester product which, upon subsequent hydrolysis, yields the desired secondary alcohol product enriched in alcohols having hydroxy functionality at the 2-position.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene ethers of the formulaR.sup.1 O--[C.sub.n H.sub.2n O--].sub.x Min whichR.sup.1 is an alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkylene radical, an aryl radical or an alkaryl radical,M is an alkali cation,n is any number from 2 to 3, andx is a whole number,by the stoichiometric polymerization of alkylene oxides or their mixtures having the general formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O on alkali alcoholate mixtures, composed of 1 to 20 mole percent of potassium alcoholate and 99 to 80 mole percent of sodium alcoholate. Compared to the use of sodium alcoholate alone, the addition reaction proceeds uniformly at temperatures as low as 80.degree. to 100.degree. C. and the initial delay at the start of the reaction is avoided. Even so, it is possible to keep the isomerization of propylene oxide to allyl alcohol within limits. Products are obtained with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution and a low double bond content.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising mixtures of HF and metal alkoxides and mixed metal alkoxides produce a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials.

Abstract: The process for preparing nonionic surfactants wherein a narrower molecular weight distribution is obtained by the use of a barium catalyst which comprises reacting a reactive hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms and a difunctional polypropylene oxide polymer having an average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 5000 with an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms at a temperature at which the reaction proceeds in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of a barium salt selected from the group consisting of barium hydroxide, barium alkoxides, barium phenoxides, hydrates thereof or mixtures thereof and a catalytic amount of an oxyalkylation catalyst promoter.

Abstract: The process for preparing nonionic surfactants wherein a narrower molecular weight distribution is obtained by the use of a calcium and/or strontium catalyst which comprises reacting a reactive hydrogen compound selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols having from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms and a difunctional polypropylene oxide polymer having an average molecular weight in the range of 1000 to 5000 with an alkylene oxide having 2 to 4 carbon atoms at a temperature at which the reaction proceeds in the presence of at least a catalytic amount of a basic salt of calcium and/or strontium selected from the group consisting of hydroxide, alkoxide and phenoxides and a catalytic amount of an oxyalkylation catalyst promoter.

Abstract: New hydroxy-containing alkyl-substituted bicycloalkane ether compositions useful in the preparation of valuable detergent and lubricating compositions are obtained by reacting an alkyl-substituted 2-norbornene with a polyhydric alcohol in the presence of an acidic catalyst.

Abstract: Polyether polyols and their method of preparation are disclosed. The polyether polyols are prepared by reacting polyhydric alcohols with an alkylene oxide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. The reaction mixture is then treated with a hydroxy-carboxylic acid so as to neutralize the alkaline catalyst and form a clear reaction mixture without otherwise removing the alkaline catalyst. The polyether polyols are useful for the production of polyurethane foams.

Abstract: A detergent composition consisting essentially of a water soluble mixture of higher alkyl glyceryl ether nonionic surfactants having the structural formula ##STR1## where R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.16 alkyl radical, and n has a value of 1, 2 and 3, with an n distribution of 12-49% n=1 ethers, 24-61% n=2 ethers and 6-59% n=3 ethers.

Abstract: New unsaturated fatty alcohols of the formula: ##STR1## in which n=2 or 4 are provided and are prepared by the novel process of reacting butadiene with water in the presence of a palladium salt and orthoboric acid, B(OH).sub.3, in a polar aprotic solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to oxyalkylations which take place in the presence of solid acid catalysts. More particularly this invention relates to increasing the selectivity of such processes employing a solid acid catalyst, preferably a polyfluorosulfonic acid catalyst, in which an hydroxylic compound reactant reacts with an alkylene oxide reactant to produce a desired mono-oxyalkylated product which tends to react with the alkylene oxide to produce an undesired second product.

Abstract: Non-ionic products of the formula:R--X--[C.sub.2 H.sub.3 (OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n (OH)--CH.sub.2 --Y--R'in which R and R' denote alkyl or alkenyl radicals having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, the sum of the numbers of carbon atoms in R and R' being 24 to 32; X denotes an oxygen atom, a sulphur atom or a sulphoxide group; Y denotes a sulphur atom, a sulphoxide group or a methylene group (if Y denotes methylene, the sum of the numbers of carbon atoms in R and R' is 22 to 30); and n denotes an integer or decimal number from 1 to 40 are disclosed. These non-ionic compounds are suitable for use in pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications, in particular for the care of the skin or hair.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkanol alkoxylates, useful as nonionic surfactants, comprises steps for alkoxylating one or more alkanols having carbon number in the range from 8 to 18 by reaction with one or more alkylene oxides having carbon number in the range from 2 to 4 under alkaline pH and in the presence of one or more soluble compounds of calcium, and neutralizing the resulting alkoxylation mixture by addition thereto of an acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, benzoic acid, and mixtures thereof. The products are characterized by a single liquid phase of low viscosity.

Abstract: A process of quenching metal using as the quenching medium an aqueous solution containing from about 0.5% to 50% by weight of a liquid, water-soluble, capped polyether polyol obtained by reacting ethylene oxide and at least one lower alkylene oxide having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g. propylene oxide, with an active hydrogen compound, such as a lower glycol, to prepare a heteric or block copolymer, and further reacting the copolymer with an alpha olefin oxide, the polyol having a molecular weight of from about 7000 to 15,000.

Abstract: Alkanol alkoxylates having utility, for instance, as nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations are prepared by the reaction of C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkanols with C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a co-catalyst combination comprising as a first component one or more soluble, basic compounds of magnesium and as a second component one or more soluble compounds of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, zinc, titanium, silicon, molybdenum, vanadium, gallium, germanium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, cadmium, indium, tin, antimony, tungsten, hafnium, tantalum, thallium, lead, and bismuth.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to compositions of matter having the following structural formula: ##STR1## In this formula, R.sup.1 represents a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl radical, R.sup.2 stands for a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl radical, and n is a number, 4 through 15. These compounds are low foaming and have acceptable biodegradability. They are particularly useful in the formulation of automatic dishwashing detergents.

Abstract: A process to form glycol ethers by reacting an organic compound (A) having at least one aliphatic hydroxyl group with an oxirane compound (B) under reaction conditions in the presence of a catalytic amount of a polymeric material that is substantially insoluble in the reaction mixture, said polymeric material having a plurality of pendant sulfonate moieties with divalent metal counterions. Preferential formation of the mono adduct of glycol ethers is noted.

Abstract: An improved process for making linear polyethers having a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution comprises contacting a monoepoxide with a salt selected from the group consisting of fluoborate, fluophosphate, fluoantimonate and fluoarsenate salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, lead, nickel, aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, tin, zinc and copper in the presence of a hydroxyl-containing compound at a controlled temperature of about -78.degree. C. to less than +20.degree. C. and in the absence of any additional acid.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process for the preparation of synthetic filaments or fibers and a composition for use as an auxiliary agent in the production of such fibers and filaments. The composition comprises a butylene oxide adduct of a fatty alcohol oxyethylate having the formulaR--O--(C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.n --(C.sub.4 H.sub.8 O).sub.m HwhereinR=C.sub.8 -C.sub.26,n=1-20, andm=1-5and preferably at least one additional chemical treating agent for the synthetic fibers and filaments. The process includes the step of applying this composition to a fiber or filament.

Abstract: A terminal --CH.sub.2 OH moiety is selectively cleaved from an alkoxyalkanol at elevated temperatures, in the optional presence of water, over a catalytically effective amount of heterogeneous nickel.

Abstract: Strontium-containing materials catalyze the alkoxylation of alcohols. Strontium produced alkoxylates have sharper alkoxylate distributions, lower free alcohols, lower pour points, and better detergency than alkoxylates obtained from alkali base catalysis.

Abstract: Strontium and barium-based catalyzed alkoxylation of alcohols of all classes is carried out more rapidly and produces a more peaked reaction product when carried out in the presence of co-catalysts such as calcium oxide, calcium carbide, calcium hydroxide, magnesium metal, magnesium hydroxides, zinc oxide, and aluminum metal.

Abstract: Polyoxyalkylene compounds having at least four oxyalkylene units and one or two terminal hydroxyl groups are etherified by reacting same with organic primary chlorides or bromides in the presence of an aqueous, at least 30% by weight solution of sodium or potassium hydroxide to produce the corresponding etherified polyoxyalkylene derivatives. The molar ratio of the organohalide to the hydroxyl group(s) of the polyoxyalkylene compound is at least 1.2, and the molar ratio of the alkali metal hydroxide to such hydroxyl group(s) is at least 1.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing nonionic glycidol-derived surfactants. Specifically C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 n-alkyl glyceryl ether alcohols containing from 1 to about 10 glyceryl units, are prepared by reacting crude glycidol and a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 n-alkyl alcohol in the presence of a non-polar, non-reactive miscible solvent.

Abstract: New liquid thickeners for aqueous liquids are obtained by capping a liquid straight chain polyoxyalkylene compound derived from ethylene oxide or ethylene oxide and at least one other lower alkylene oxide by reacting said alkylene oxides with at least one active hydrogen-containing initiator having only one active hydrogen atom. The new thickeners are prepared at a molecular weight of about 1000 to about 25,000 utilizing an alpha-olefin oxide having a carbon chain of about 12 to about 18 aliphatic carbon atoms. Both block and heteric polyoxyalkylene compounds are useful. Alternatively, the new thickeners can be made by copolymerizing ethylene oxide or mixed lower alkylene oxides in the presence of said alpha-olefin oxide. The new thickeners exhibit an unexpected increase in viscosity in aqueous systems as compared with prior art liquid polyether thickening agents.

Abstract: The invention describes an improved process for preparing polyols by reacting a mono-epoxy compound such as propylene oxide with a hydroxyl-containing initiator compound such as glycerine in the presence of a catalyst, the improvement being that the catalyst is added in the form of a calcium, strontium or barium salt of an organic acid such as acetic acid.Polyols prepared by this process can be employed to prepare polyurethanes without removing the catalyst.

Abstract: Barium oxide is used as an ethoxylation catalyst for the reaction of ethylene oxide and alkanols of all classes. The reaction is carried out at temperatures of from about 200.degree. to about 500.degree. F. to yield the ethoxylated product. The product obtained has a very narrow, high adduct distribution with low levels of by-products and unreacted free alcohols. Calcium and magnesium oxides show no catalytic effect.

Abstract: Basic compounds of strontium catalyzed the ethoxylation of alcohols in the presence of phenol or alkylphenol co-catalyst. Strontium-produced ethoxylates have sharper ethylene oxide distributions, lower free alcohol, lower pour points, and better detergency than the ethoxylates obtained from alkali base catalysis.

Abstract: Improved process for making alcohol polyethoxylates with narrow polyethoxy chain distributions using approximately equimolar ratios of alcohol and alkali metal or alkali metal hydride catalyst. The products are useful in making improved carboxyalkylated alkyl polyether surfactants having specific narrow ranges of ethoxylation and containing less than about 6% fatty alcohol. Detergent compositions containing said alkyl carboxyalkylated polyether surfactants and having less than about 6% fatty alcohol by weight of said alkyl carboxyalkylated polyether surfactants. Processes of making said alkyl carboxyalkylated polyether surfactants.