Abstract: A process for quickly preparing easily separable solutions of lithium tertiary-alkoxides. Comprising the steps of reacting lithium metal in bulk solid form, containing less than 0.1% by weight of sodium, with a tertiary alcohol in mole ratios of metal to alcohol ranging from 2 to 1 to 10 to 1 in a solvent selected from ethereal or hydrocarbon solvents under an inert atmosphere at elevated temperature for 1 to 10 hours, cooling the product and separating the product solution from the unreacted lithium metal in the reactor, and optionally adding solvent and sufficient lithium metal and alcohol to said unreacted metal in said reactor to maintain said mole ratio of lithium metal to alcohol, and continuing the reaction, thereby to form further lithium tert-alkoxide, and repeating said steps a number of times.

Abstract: A process for preparing alkali metal alkoxides of alcohols comprising reacting an alkali metal amalgam with an alcohol having at least 3 carbon atoms in the presence of a powder catalyst comprising a transition metal carbide, nitride or carbonitride, to form a reaction mixture, wherein the reaction mixture is subjected to ultrasound during reaction.

Abstract: A process for producing high-purity hydrotalcites by reacting alcohols or alcohol mixtures with at least one or more divalent metal(s) and at least one or more trivalent metal(s) and hydrolysing the resultant alcoholate mixture with water. The corresponding metal oxides can be produced by calcination.

Abstract: A process for preparing an alkali metal alkoxides by reacting an alkali metal amalgams and alcohols in the presence of a catalysts comprising a transition metal carbide, nitride or carbonitride, where the catalyst is in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A process for producing dispersions of atmospherically stable, coated alkali metal particles and atmospherically stable, coated alkali metal powders by agitating a mixture of molten alkali metal in a hydrocarbon oil at dispersion speeds, optionally in the presence of a dispersing agent, contacting the molten alkali metal-hydrocarbon oil dispersion, above or below the surface of the dispersion, with up to 3 weight percent anhydrous carbon dioxide while agitating the dispersion for at least 1 minute. The dispersion in oil can be used directly in chemical reactions. The bulk of the oil can be removed from the dispersions to produce oil wet particles, the oil wet particles car be washed with a low boiling hydrocarbon to produce hydrocarbon wet particles which can be dried to produce atmospherically stable powders of coated metal particles. The dispersed particles in oil, the oil wet particles, the hydrocarbon wet particles and the atmospherically stable powders can each be used in chemical reactions.

Abstract: Catalysts used for the catalytic preparation of alkali metal alkoxides from the alcohol and alkali metal amalgams are selected from the group consisting of carbides and nitrides of metals of group VIa of the Periodic Table, and titanium carbide.

Abstract: There is provided a safe, efficient process for the production of sodium C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 alkoxide which utilizes a less than stoichiometric quantity of a C.sub.4 -C.sub.8 alcohol and the option of a continuous recycle of the unreacted sodium metal.

Abstract: A process for quickly preparing easily separable solutions of lithium tertiary-alkoxides. Comprising the steps of reacting lithium metal in bulk solid form, containing less than 0.1% by weight of sodium, with a tertiary alcohol in mole ratios of metal to alcohol ranging from 2 to 1 to 10 to 1 in a solvent selected from ethereal or hydrocarbon solvents under an inert atmosphere at elevated temperature for 1 to 10 hours, cooling the product and separating the product solution from the unreacted lithium metal in the reactor, and optionally adding solvent and sufficient lithium metal and alcohol to said unreacted metal in said reactor to maintain said mole ratio of lithium metal to alcohol, and continuing the reaction, thereby to form further lithium tert-alkoxide, and repeating said steps a number of times.

Abstract: It has surprisingly now been discovered that alkoxy-magnesium halides of the general formula ROMgX wherein R is an alkyl having from about 1 to 18 carbon atoms and X is a halide can be synthesized in an inert hydrocarbon in just one step process by reacting magnesium which has been preliminarily activated with small quantities (approximately 5 mol %) of magnesium alkyl with a substantially equimolar mixture of an alkyl halide and an alkanol. That is, the present invention provides a one step reaction process for preparing alkoxy-magnesium halides. This one step reaction process involves reacting magnesium metal which has been previously activated with a magnesium-alkyl compound, with an equimolar mixture of an alkyl halide and an alkanol. Yields in excess of 90% can be obtained by employing the inventive one step reaction process.

Abstract: A process for producing clear, colorless solutions of branched lithium alkoxides containing 3 to 12 carbon atoms, in a polar reaction solvent, comprising reacting a dispersion of lithium metal having a particle size less than 300 microns with a minimum of 5 mole percent excess over stoichiometric of a branched alkyl alcohol containing 4 to 12 carbon atoms, in a polar reaction solvent as the reaction medium, at a temperature between 50.degree. C. and the boiling point of the solvent in an inert atmosphere.

Abstract: A substantially pure, chemically distinct halomagnesium alkoxide compound is formed by reaction of a dihydrocarbylmagnesium compound with a compound which will replace an hydrocarbyl functionality thereon with an hydrocarbyloxy functionality and thereafter reacting the resulting product with a compound which replaces the other hydrocarbyl functionality with a halogen functionality, such as chlorine. The .sup.13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the product exhibits no more than one strong, narrow absorption peak for each chemically inequivalent carbon atom in the hydrocarbyloxy ligand of the compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of denuding a sodium-mercury amalgam to recover mercury therefrom and produce a sodium alcoholate. The amalgam is reacted with a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alcohol in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of tungsten carbide, iron treated high density carbon, iridium, ruthenium, and mixtures thereof. The resulting sodium alcoholate is separated from the mercury.

Abstract: This invention povides to a process for making an aluminum trialkyl product which process comprises reacting a mixture comprising, (i) an aluminum alkyl feed which contains one or more aluminum alkyls represented by the formula R.sub.3 Al, where R represents a C.sub.2 to C.sub.20 straight chain alkyl radical and each R can be the same or different, the alkyl radicals in said aluminum alkyl feed having an average chain length of at least about C.sub.

Abstract: The invention involves spherical particles of magnesium alkoxide and a process for their preparation. Specifically, spherical magnesium alkoxide is produced by spray drying of an alcoholic solution of the corresponding carboxylated magnesium alkoxide and subsequent drying and decarboxylation, characterized in that the solution is sprayed via a two-material nozzle with inner atomization, which is operated in the part-load range at 10 to 30% of its capacity, into an inert accompanying gas which is under a pressure of 1.0 to 1.2 bar, has been preheated to 100.degree.-140.degree. C. and is fed cocurrently, after which the resulting finely divided carboxylated magnesium alkoxide is dried and is decarboxylated. The magnesium alkoxide is used for the preparation of a catalyst for the polymerization of .alpha.-olefins.

Abstract: Alkaline earth metal alkylates having a spherical particle habit are prepared by dissolving an alkaline earth metal alkylate in a solvent, adding a second solvent which dissolves the alkaline earth metal alkylate only with difficulty or does not dissolve it at all, but which is homogeneously miscible with the solution of the alkaline earth metal alkylate in the first solvent, removing the first solvent and then removing the second solvent. The particle size can be controlled by means of the shear gradient during the precipitation or by the use of emulsion stabilizers. Emulsion stabilization leads to particles in the size range 0.5 to 20 .mu.m with a particularly narrow particle size distribution. Catalysts for polyolefin synthesis can be prepared on the basis of magnesium alkylates prepared by the process according to the invention. The polymer is advantageous with respect to particle habit and particle size distribution, compared with the prior art.

Abstract: 3-Hydroxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one salts of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R is an ammonium group of the general formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different in meaning and each is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group or a cycloalkyl group or R is an alkali metal atom. The salts according for formula I are obtained by the reaction of pure 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, or 1,3-cyclobutanedione or a distillation residue of the diketene production containing 3-acetoxy-2-cyclobuten-1-one, with a base. The base can be an amine of the general formula: ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 have the above-mentioned meaning, or an alkali metal alcoholate or an alkali metal hydroxide. The salts according to formula I are suitable for the production of squaric acid, by their being halogenated in a first step and then being hydrolyzed to squaric acid in a second step.

Abstract: Halide alkoxy-containing compounds of the formula ROMgX, where X is halide (e.g., chloride) and R is derived from a C.sub.4 -C.sub.15 normal secondary alcohol (e.g., 2-octanol) are hydrocarbon soluble.

Abstract: A method for the continuous production of anhydrous potassium tert-butoxide in a packed distillation column, wherein aqueous potash lye is fed with excess tert-butyl alcohol to the top of the column. Water formed in the reaction as well as water brought in with the reactants is distilled out at the top using methylcyclohexane or n-heptane as withdrawing agent. The amount of the withdrawing agent and of the tert-butanol must be selected such that above the column boiler a content between 0.2 and 2 wt.-% of the withdrawing agent is present in the gas mixture, while the gas mixture in the middle of the column has either between 32 and 34 wt.-% of methylcyclohexane or 36 to 38 wt.-% of n-heptane. The water together with the withdrawing agent and tert-butanol is withdrawn from the top of the column and then condensed. The organic phase of the condensate is fed back to the column.

Abstract: Halide arylalkoxy-containing compounds of the formula ROMgX, where X is halide (e.g., chloride) and R is aralkyl (e.g., benzyl) are hydrocarbon soluble.

Abstract: A composition for use in synthesis reactions comprises a mixture of an organolithium compound and an inert inorganic pulverulent carrier and consists of methyllithium and ethyllithium, one or more of the group consisting of SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, CaO and synthetic anhydrous aluminosilicate, and paraffin. That composition is flowable and non-pyrophoric.

Abstract: The invention relates to precursors useful for the preparation by CVD of superconducting thin films. The precursors are the volatile alkoxides of the formula M(OR).sub.2, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of Ba, Ca, and Sr, and R is selected from the group consisting of unsubstituted alkyl groups of 6 to 13 carbons and halogen substituted alkyl groups of 3 to 4 carbons wherein the halogen is selected from the group consisting of fluoride and chlorine and at least two of the halogen substitutions are fluorine. The secondary or tertiary alkyl groups are preferred and the tertiary alkyl groups are most preferred.

Abstract: An improved polymerization catalyst, its preparation, and use are disclosed. The catalyst is one prepared by reacting a benzoic acid ester, an alkoxy titanium compound, and a magnesium halide having alkanol associated therewith to form a first catalyst component then reacting said first catlyst component with an organoaluminum halide and then reacting the resulting solid with a halogenating agent comprising a titanium halide. Also novel crystalline MgCl.sub.2 electron donor complexes are disclosed, one of which, MgCl.sub.2.CH.sub.3 OH, can be used in the preparation of the improved polymerization catalyst herein.

Abstract: An efficient method is proposed for the synthesis of an unsaturated alcohol of the general formula R--CH.dbd.CH(CH.sub.2).sub.n+1 OH, in which R is a hydrogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms and the subscript n is an integer in the range from 3 to 10, in which an acetate of the formula R--CH.dbd.CHCH.sub.2 OCOCH.sub.3 is subjected to a coupling reaction with a Grignard reagent of the formula X.sup.1 Mg(CH.sub.2).sub.n OMgX.sup.2, in which X.sup.1 and X.sup.2 are each a halogen atom, and then the reaction product is hydrolyzed. When the reaction product of the coupling reaction is reacted with acetic anhydride instead of hydrolysis, the corresponding acetate can readily be obtained. These unsaturated alcohols and acetates form a class of important biologically active compounds or intermediates thereof including sex pheromone compounds of insects.

Abstract: A process is described for the production of alcoholates from alkali metal hydroxides and aliphatic alcohol which in their molecule contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The alcoholates are produced in that alkali metal hydroxide is mixed with an alcohol and is reacted with said alcohol at a temperature from 80.degree. to 110.degree. C., preferably from 80.degree. to 100.degree. C., and under a pressure from 0.3 to 1.2 bars, the alcohol water mixture which evaporates during the reaction is separated into its components by at least one membrane, the alcohol vapor and the water vapor are condensed and the condensed alcohol is recycled to the reaction.

Abstract: Hydrocarbon-soluble complexes of magnesium alkoxides with magnesium aryl oxides are described. The magnesium aryl oxide moiety is derived from a hindered aromatic alcohol. The complexes can be formed by reaction between a magnesium alkyl and a mixture of aliphatic alcohols and a hindered aromatic alcohol.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkanediols, which comprises reacting: (a) a monoalkynically and/or a monoalkenically unsaturated diol, wherein the alcohol groups are separated by at least two carbon atoms, which carbon atoms form the alkynic and/or alkenic unsaturated entity respectively, and (b) hydrogen, in the presence of a palladium compound and a base.

Abstract: A process for converting the filtration residue of crude sodium produced by fusion electrolysis into a sodium alcoholate with a low NaOH content. The residue first is intensively and continuously mixed for 2-5 hours at 300.degree.-600.degree. C. and then is added with stirring to the particular alcohol, possibly with heat added. The alcoholate solution so formed is filtered and the alcoholate may be obtained from the filtrate by distilling off the solvent.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of substantially spherical particles of at least one metal compound of Group II of the Periodic Table, comprising dissolving such compound in a solvent therefor to form a solution and introducing the solution into a non-solvent medium; said non-solvent medium consisting essentially of at least two liquids that are non-solvents for said compound, at least one of said non-solvents being immiscible with the solvent solution and at least one of said non-solvents being miscible with said solvent solution.

Abstract: Process for the production of 9-alkenyl acetates is provided. The process comprises first disproportionating cyclooctene with an .alpha.-olefin to give a 1,9-alkadiene. The alkadiene is metallated to form a 1-metallo-9-alkene, which is then contacted with oxygen to produce a 9-alkenyl-1-oxymetallo compound, which is optionally hydrolyzed to the corresponding alcohol, with the alcohol being esterified to the desired 9-alkenyl ester or the 9-alkenyl-1-oxymetallo compound can be directly esterified, to produce the desired 9-alkenyl esters.

Abstract: Novel vicinal dioxyalkylene organometalates comprising a cation having a hydrocarbyl-containing substituent are disclosed. The vicinal dioxyalkylene organometalates can be reacted with water to yield alkylene glycols.

Abstract: A process for producing an alcohol adducted or complexed hydrocarbon soluble magnesium chloride comprising reacting in a hydrocarbon medium a compound selected from magnesium metal, dialkyl magnesium, dialkoxy magnesium and alkoxy magnesium chloride with a dry hydrogen halide and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.10 chloro-alcohol or mixtures of chloro-alcohol and a C.sub.5 to C.sub.18 beta-alkyl substituted alcohol which may optionally contain some C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 primary unsubstituted monohydric alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for making hydrocarbyloxy magnesium halides by reacting in an inert atmosphere under anhydrous conditions activated magnesium metal with an oxygen containing compound of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and an anhydrous hydrogen halide to produce a hydrocarbyloxy magnesium halide.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a stable crystalline alkoxymagnesium compound which comprises treating the compound with a buffer compound. The buffer compound is preferably tetraethoxysilane.

Abstract: This invention concerns solid organometallic hydrocarbyloxymagnesium halides of the formula ROMgX wherein RO is a hydrocarbyloxy group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms and X is halide, and a two step process for making these halides comprising:(a) reacting an activated magnesium metal with an alkyl halide of the formula R'X, in which R' is compound containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, in a dry inert hydrocarbon media, under a dry inert atmosphere to produce a compound of the formula R'MgX in which R' and X have the meanings ascribed to them herein; and,(b) and reacting the R'MgX compound with an oxygen containing compound, containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, selected from the group consisting of alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and esters to produce the compound ROMgX.When the oxygen containing compound is 2-alkyl substituted, the products are hydrocarbon soluble.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein M is an alkali metal and n is an integer having a value of from 0 to 12. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said metal derivatives of butenediol and to their catalytic use in vinylation reactions.

Abstract: Stable liquid hydrocarbon-soluble novel magnesium dialkoxide compositions useful as or in the preparation of polymerization catalysts and initiators for the polymerization of alpha-olefins and diolefins are prepared, for instance, by reacting certain organomagnesium compounds in liquid hydrocarbon solvents with (a) aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or acyclic beta- and gamma-alkyl-substituted C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 monohydric secondary and tertiary alcohols; or (b) mixtures of (a) with beta- and/or gamma-alkyl-unsubstituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 aliphatic secondary or tertiary alcohols; or (c) mixtures of (a) with C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 aliphatic primary linear alcohols. Such dialkoxides, and complexes thereof, soluble in hydrocarbon or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents, can be reacted with triorganoaluminum compounds such as, for instance, TIBAL, organolithium, or organopotassium compounds, e.g., alkyllithiums, or alkali metal alkoxides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a finely divided, highly reactive magnesium from magnesium hydride, magnesium anthracene and/or its derivatives or magnesium butadiene and/or its alkyl or phenyl derivatives, which process is characterized in that the respective magnesium-containing compound is thermally decomposed at a pressure from 10.sup.

Abstract: Compositions having the formulaX.sub.n Mg(OR).sub.2-nin which X is chloro, bromo or iodo; R is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl group and n is a value from about 0.2 to about 1.9 are produced by a process comprising preparing an alkanol adduct of a magneisum halide, reacting the product of this step with metallic magnesium, and drying the product. The compositions are useful as olefin polymerization catalyst components and supports.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkali metal tertiary alcoholates by reacting an alkali metal with a tertiary alcohol, which process comprises adding the hot alcohol, with stirring, to the melted alkali metal. Said process has the advantage that no inert solvents are required.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a pulverulent organomagnesium compound involves bringing together into intimate admixture a particulate hydroxyl functional material with an organomagnesium-containing material. The process is conducted at a temperature below the melting point of the hydroxyl functional material but at a temperature sufficient to convert at least a portion of the hydroxyl functional material to the pulverulent organomagnesium compound. The aforesaid organomagnesium compounds are useful as intermediates in generating anionic sites for anionic polymerization.

Abstract: A number of processes for the formation of insoluble metal alkoxides are disclosed. In one embodiment, there is disclosed a two step process wherein a halide of an at least divalent metal is reacted with an appropriate alcohol in the first step. In the second step, the intermediate compound formed is then reacted with more alcohol, said alcohol forming part of a solvent system in which the final metal alkoxide formed is insoluble. In another embodiment, a two step process is disclosed wherein the intermediate formed in the first step is isolated, and then in the second step the intermediate is reacted with an appropriate alcohol to yield the final product. The final embodiment of the present invention comprises a one step process for the production of insoluble metal alkoxides wherein a halide of an at least divalent metal is reacted with an appropriate alcohol in the presence of an excess amount of a hydrogen halide acceptor in a solvent in which the hydrogen halide compound formed is soluble.

Abstract: There are disclosed improved methods for preparing metal alkoxides from metals and alcohols. The methods involve dry-grinding the metal in an inert atmosphere prior to the addition of the alcohol. When an activator is used, it is usually ballmilled with the metal. Higher yields are obtained, particularly when the metal and alcohol are not very reactive absent an activator. Typical metals are those from Groups 2A, 2B, 3A, and 3B, particularly aluminum, magnesium, and yttrium. Typical alcohols are those which contain up to 16 carbon atoms, particularly those containing 4 or more carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for preparing spherical particles of a compound with the general formula Mg(OR).sub.2-a (OR').sub.a is disclosed. In the process R is an alkyl group with from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R' is an alkyl group with from 1 to 7 carbon atoms and a is a number of from 0 to 0.5. The process comprises preparing a homogeneous solution of a compound Mg(OR).sub.2 in an aliphatic alcohol with the general formula R'OH, spray-drying the solution at a temperature of from 15.degree. to 85.degree. C., suspending the spray-dried solid particles in an aliphatic alcohol with the formula ROH in which R is the same alkyl group as present in the said compound Mg(OR).sub.2, heating the suspension in order to remove an alcohol with the formula R'OH from the liquid phase by distillation and separating the solid particles from the liquid phase.

Abstract: Stable liquid hydrocarbon-soluble novel magnesium dialkoxide compositions, and complexes thereof with, for example, n-alkyllithiums, organomagnesiums, and the like, useful as or in the preparation of polymerization catalysts and initiators for the polymerization of alpha-olefins and diolefins, which are prepared, for instance, by reacting certain organomagnesium compounds in liquid hydrocarbon solvents with (a) aliphatic 2-alkyl-substituted C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 monohydric primary alcohols, or (b) mixtures of (a) with 2-alkyl-substituted C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 aliphatic secondary or tertiary alcohols, or (c) mixtures of (a) with C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 aliphatic primary linear alcohols. Such dialkoxides and complexes thereof are commonly advantageously prepared in the presence of minor amounts of organoaluminum, organolithium or organopotassium compounds, e.g., trialkylaluminums, alkyllithiums or potassium dialkoxides. An illustrative example of the novel magnesium dialkoxides is 2-methyl-1-pentyloxide.

Abstract: Described is a novel genus of compounds defined according to the structure: ##STR1## wherein Z represents hydrogen, MgX and the moiety having the structure: ##STR2## and X represents chlor, bromo, or iodo; as well as 5-isopropyl-8-methyl-5,8-nonadien-2-one; uses of same as intermediates in a process for producing isosolanone and solanone; and organoleptic uses of 5-isopropyl-8-methyl-5,8-nonadien-2-one and 2,6-dimethyl-5-methylene-1-hepten-4-ol.

Abstract: A process is described for the catalytic preparation of alkali alcoholates from alkali amalgams and alcohols. The catalyst is lump anthracite having a surface treated to have a heavy metal oxide or mixtures of heavy metal oxides. Preferably a mixture of nickel oxide and molybdenum oxide is used. Aliphatic alcohols with 1 to 4 carbon atoms are preferred as the alcohol component.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for continuous production of anhydrous potassium tert.butoxide from aqueous potash lye and tert.butyl alcohol in a packed distillation column. The water of reaction and the water brought in by the starting products is distilled out at the top of the column with the aid of a withdrawing agent. In the bottom of the column an alcoholic solution of the potassium tert.butoxide is produced, which is withdrawn and then processed for isolation of the anhydrous salt. The tert.butyl alcohol is used in excess such that a 10 to 18 weight-percent solution of the salt in alcohol is produced in the bottom of the column. The amount of tert.butyl alcohol together with the amount of the withdrawing agent is selected such that the tert.butyl alcohol content in the gas mixture at the center of the column will be between 50 and 90% by weight. The bottom of the column is continuously maintained at ebullition. A gas mixture of 20 to 50 wt. -% of tert.butyl alcohol and 50 to 80 wt.

Abstract: Stable, hydrocarbon-soluble organobarium-, organocalcium-, and organostrontium-containing polymerization initiators are prepared by reacting certain calcium, barium or strontium alkoxides with organolithium, diorganomagnesium or triorganoaluminum compounds and combinations thereof. By way of illustration, the barium alkoxides soluble in hydrocarbon or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents are prepared by reacting a suspension of barium amide in a hydrocarbon or a chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent with stoichiometric quantities of certain alcohols, alone or in the presence of chelating tertiary di- or polyamines. Alcohols suitable for the preparation of hydrocarbon- or chlorinated hydrocarbon-soluble barium alkoxides are C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 aliphatic and cycloaliphatic alcohols possessing alkyl branches at the one or two-positions, or mixtures of such alcohols. Other suitable alcohols are 2-alkoxy-1-alkanols and .gamma.-alkoxy-poly(ethyleneoxy)-1-ethanols.

Abstract: The concentration of alkali metal hydroxide contaminants in solutions of alkali metal alkoxides in alcohols is reduced to below about 0.1 percent by adding an alkyl alkanoate ester. For example, a solution of sodium methoxide in methanol containing about 0.04 percent sodium hydroxide was obtained by adding a small amount of methyl acetate. The alkali metal alkanoate salt formed as a by-product does not deleteriously affect most uses of such solutions.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the continuous production of sodium methylate from sodium and an excess of methanol. The process involves charging a reaction vessel with a solution of sodium methylate in methanol at a temperature of from about 80.degree. to 86.degree. C.; providing an inert atmosphere in the reaction vessel; agitating the contents of the reaction vessel; adding molten sodium at a metered rate to the agitated reaction vessel; adding methanol to the agitated reaction vessel at a rate which maintains the temperature of the reaction mass in a range of 80.degree. to 86.degree. C.; reacting the sodium and methanol for a sufficient time to substantially complete the reaction of sodium; and withdrawing from the reaction vessel a solution of sodium methylate in methanol.