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 mo re active than a conventional potassium hydroxide catalyst in the propoxyla tion of alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates. With the Ca/Al alkoxide catalyst, propoxylation was faster, required less catalyst, and proceeded at lower t emperatures. The latter is desirable since it could help reduce the formati on of allyl alcohol and allyl alcohol propoxylate by-products. The two cata lysts produced different oligomer distributions, particularly at higher tem peratures, which were found to have a marginal impact on surface chemistry.