PHOSPHATE-ESTERS - CHEMISTRY AND PROPERTIES

Several linear alcohol and linear alcohol ethoxylates were phosphated using P2O5, and the analytical results for monoester, diester and free phosphoric acid content were determined as were wetting speed and alk ali tolerance. Generally, the concentration of monoester and free phos phoric acid increased and the diester concentration decreased as the a mount of ethylene oxide in the hydrophobe increased. As the molecular weight of the hydrophobe increased, the wetting time also increased. T he lowest molecular weight hydrophobe without ethylene oxide was the b est wetter in the series of nonethoxylated species. As the molecular w eight of the hydrophobe without ethylene oxide increased, the wetting time of the phosphated material increased. A certain amount of ethylen e oxide on the hydrophobe was necessary to give the phosphated materia l alkali tolerance. As the molecular weight of the hydrophobe being ph osphated increases, the amount of ethylene oxide needed to develop alk ali tolerance increases. The silicone phosphate esters appeared to fit the anticipated values for alkali tolerance, when compared to the fat ty phosphates, when their ethylene oxide content is considered.