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Enhanced propoxylation of alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates
Author(s) -
Cox Michael F.,
Weerasooriya Upali
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
journal of surfactants and detergents
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.349
H-Index - 48
eISSN - 1558-9293
pISSN - 1097-3958
DOI - 10.1007/s11743-999-0065-8
Subject(s) - chemistry , alcohol , alkoxide , catalysis , allyl alcohol , potassium hydroxide , oligomer , organic chemistry , base (topology) , potassium , inorganic chemistry , mathematical analysis , mathematics
An alkoxylation catalyst consisting of a calcium/aluminum complex partially neutralized in an alcohol ethoxylate base was found to be substantially more active than a conventional potassium hydroxide catalyst in the propoxylation of alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates. With the Ca/Al alkoxide catalyst, propoxylation was faster, required less catalyst, and proceeded at lower temperatures. The latter is desirable since it could help reduce the formation of allyl alcohol and allyl alcohol propoxylate by‐products. The two catalysts produced different oligomer distributions, particularly at higher temperatures, which were found to have a marginal impact on surface chemistry.