Inorganic salt catalysis in the process for the conversion of alcohols/alkylphenols into ethoxychloride surfactant intermediates

摘要: Abstract The process for the preparation of alkyl/alkylphenylethoxychlorides, precursors to a range speciality surfactants, was investigated. original manufacturing procedure involved ethoxylation with ethylene oxide catalysed by potassium hydroxide alcohol/alkylphenol followed uncatalysed chlorination thionyl chloride. stage batch requiring long reaction times (4–18 h) at 80°C and resulted in cleavage ethyloxylate chain as 1,4-dioxan. Using model alkylethoxyalcohol, we demonstrated that may be effectively alkali metal salts/bases. Rate enhancement suppression 1,4-dioxan production resulted. Investigation inorganic salts/bases catalysis commercially realistic alkylphenylethoxyalcohols indicated lithium monohydrate (0.2%) most versatile cost effective catalyst. Chlorination complete after less than 0.25 h benefits continuous based upon this catalyst are discussed. Alkaline earth were also found catalysts but transition B-Group salts retarded facilitated ethoxylate cleavage. application single conversion alcohols/alkylphenols into ethoxychlorides is proposed. We strontium both hexadecanol. advantages using (strontium hydroxide) manufacture broad-(narrow-) distribution alkyl/alkylphenylethoxychlorides from