Oxyethylation and oxypropylation of alcohols of low relative molecular mass in the presence of amine-type catalysts

The effect of an amine catalyst on oxyalkyalation of alcohols of low relati ve molecular mass was studied. The reactivity and selectivity of the format ion of the first homologues depend upon the alcohol, the alkylene oxide and the degree of oxyalkylation and decrease in the following order methanol > ethanol > butanol > 2-methylpropanol. The formation of the first homologue is significantly more selective in oxypropylation in comparison to oxyethy lation. Triethylamine used as the catalyst undergoes by-reactions giving N, N-diethylethanolamine and then oxyethylated diethylamines which exhibit cat alytic activity. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.