Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3), comprising the steps: (i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME.sub.n>1);
(ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3).

Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3), comprising the steps: (i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME.sub.n>1);
(ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3).

Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3), comprising the steps: (i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME.sub.n>1);
(ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3).

A foaming agent comprising organic amine salt compounds of the following general formula A.sup.n [B.sup.m+].sub.p (I) is disclosed, wherein A.sup.n is a CO.sub.2-donating anion with a valence of n, wherein n=1, 2 or 3; each B.sup.m+ comprises: ammonium ion and/or organic amine (B) cation, wherein

[00001]$m=1.Math.\text{-10;}.Math..Math.0<p\frac{n}{m};$

and wherein A.sup.n is one or more selected from following anions: (a) carbamate; (b) carbonate; (c) formate; (d) bicarbonate radical; (e) organic mono carbonate; (f) organic radical multi-carbamate; (g) orthoformate; or (h) organic radical poly-carbonate. The compound of the general formula (I) has at least one of hydroxyalkyl group linked to N atom, i.e., has alkanolamine residue. They can be used as polyurethane foaming agent, polystyrene foaming agent or polyvinyl choride foaming agent.

A foaming agent comprising organic amine salt compounds of the following general formula A.sup.n [B.sup.m+].sub.p (I) is disclosed, wherein A.sup.n is a CO.sub.2-donating anion with a valence of n, wherein n=1, 2 or 3; each B.sup.m+ comprises: ammonium ion and/or organic amine (B) cation, wherein

[00001]$m=1.Math.\text{-10;}.Math..Math.0<p\frac{n}{m};$

and wherein A.sup.n is one or more selected from following anions: (a) carbamate; (b) carbonate; (c) formate; (d) bicarbonate radical; (e) organic mono carbonate; (f) organic radical multi-carbamate; (g) orthoformate; or (h) organic radical poly-carbonate. The compound of the general formula (I) has at least one of hydroxyalkyl group linked to N atom, i.e., has alkanolamine residue. They can be used as polyurethane foaming agent, polystyrene foaming agent or polyvinyl choride foaming agent.

Provided herein are halogenated ether compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III):

##STR00001##

Also provided are electrolytes comprising one or more compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III) and electrochemical cells comprising electrolytes comprising one or more compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III).

Provided herein are halogenated ether compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III):

##STR00001##

Also provided are electrolytes comprising one or more compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III) and electrochemical cells comprising electrolytes comprising one or more compounds of Formula (I), Formula (II), or Formula (III).

Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3), comprising the steps:

(i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME.sub.n>1);
(ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3).

Process for preparing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3), comprising the steps:

(i) introduction of formaldehyde, methanol and water into a reactor R and reaction to give a reaction mixture containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers (OME.sub.n>1);
(ii) introduction of the reaction mixture into a reactive distillation column K1 and separation into a low boiler fraction F1 containing formaldehyde, water, methylene glycol, polyoxymethylene glycols, methanol, hemiformals, methylal (OME.sub.n=1) and polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having from 2 to 3 oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n=2-3) and a high boiler fraction F2 containing polyoxymethylene dimethyl ethers having more than two oxymethylene units (OME.sub.n3).

A process of generating a glycerol ether is provided. The process includes reacting isobutylene with an alcohol to obtain a tertiary alkyl ether through an etherification reaction and generating a glycerol ether from the tertiary alkyl ether and glycerol through a transetherification reaction, A system for generating a glycerol ether is also provided.