Catalysts for the polymerization of epoxides and process for the preparation of such catalysts

Catalyst suspension comprising at least one compound according to 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 (I)
• wherein M.sup.1 represents at least one of Zn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Mn(II), Cu(II), Sn(II), or Ph(II);
• M.sup.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.sup.3 represents M.sup.1 and/or M.sup.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 sulphide or mixtures thereof;
• a and d are numbers to satisfy the valency state of M.sup.1 and M.sup.2 in the double metal cyanide part of the general formula I;
• b and c and integers (b>c) which together with a and d provide the electroneutrality of the double metal cyanide part of the general formula I;
• e is an integer satisying the valency state of M.sup.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 between 0.1 and 5,
• and at least one initiator for the polymerization of epoxides in a liquid selected from the group consisting of water and an organic compound selected from an alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, ether, ester, amide, nitrile, sulfide and mixtures thereof.