KINETICS OF THE OXYETHYLATION OF N-HEXYL ALCOHOL - A CLUSTER MODEL

The kinetics of n-hexyl alcohol oxyethylation with and without a solve nt (dodecane) was examined in the presence of a basic catalyst at ethy lene oxide concentrations as high as 1.0 mol/l and catalyst concentrat ions varying from 7.2 x 10(-4) to 1.45 x 10(-1) mol/l. The temperature ranged between 100 and 180-degrees-C. The experimental results were f ound to be adequately described by the kinetic equation that takes int o account association of the alcohol molecules. A comparison between t he kinetic parameters measured under similar conditions for the reacti ons of n-hexanol and n-butanol is reported.