Process for the polymerization of epoxides

Claim 1

A process for the polymerization of epoxides in the presence of a (1) double metal salt cyanide-complex catalyst of the general formula: M.sup.1.sub.a [M.sup.2 (CN).sub.b (A).sub.c ].sub.d.wM.sup.3 D.sub.e.xH.sub.2 O.yL.zH.sub.n E.sub.m wherein M 1 represents at least one of Zn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Sn(II) or Pb(II); M 2 represents at least one of Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(III), Cr(III), Mn(II), Mn(III), Ir(III), Rh(III), Ru(II), V(IV) or V(V); M 3 represents M 1 or M 2 ; A, D and E each represent an anion which may be the same or different; L represents an alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, ether, ester, amide, nitrile or sulfide or mixtures thereof; a and d are numbers to satisfy the valency state of M 1 and M 2 in the double metal cyanide part of the general formula; b and c are integers (b>c) which together with a and d provide the electroneutrality of the double metal cyanide part of the general formula; e is an integer satisfying the valency state of M 3 ; n and m are integers satisfying the electroneutrality of HE and w is a number between 0.1 and 4; x is a number up to 20; y is a number between 0.1 and 6; and z is a number up to 5, and (2) at least (a) one or more salts composed of at least bivalent metal ions and metal-free anions, having a solubility in water of at least 1 g/100 ml at 25° C., and/or (b) one or more non-metal containing acids of which a 0.1N solution in water at 25° C. has a pH not exceeding 3.