The propoxylation of tetradecyl and pentadecyl alcohols

Synthesis of nonionic surfactants was studied at different tetradecanol or pentadecanol to propylene oxide ratios. The surface activities of the obtai ned propoxylates and the parent alcohols were examined. It was found that t he propoxylated alcohol derivatives have a higher surface activity than the alcohols. The course of the alcohol propoxylation process was studied, rat e parameters were determined, and corresponding equations for the reaction rates were derived. The propoxylated alcohols were identified by IR and H-1 NMR spectroscopy techniques.