Enhanced propoxylation of alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates

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. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Chicago, Illinois, May 1998.