Improvements in the preparation of monoethers of poly-oxyalkylene glycols

Abstract

Abstract Ethers stated to be useful as lubricants for bearing metals, rubber and textiles and also as fluids for hydraulic transmission systems are obtained by reacting under anhydrous conditions a mixture of one part by weight of 1 : 2- propyleneoxide and from one to three parts by weight of ethyleneoxide with a monohydric alcohol. The products are ethers of polyoxyalkyleneglycols having a polyoxyalkylene chain containing at least five oxyalkylene radicles. Specification 443,559 is referred to.ALSO:Mono ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols having a polyoxyalkylene chain containing at least five oxyalkylene radicles are obtained by reacting, under anhydrous conditions, a mixture of one part by weight of 1 : 2-propyleneoxide and from one to three parts by weight of ethyleneoxide with a monohydric alcohol. Alkaline catalysts such as caustic alkali, morpholine or trimethylhydroxyethylammonium hydroxide and boronfluoride or mixtures of the latter with lime may be used in the process. The catalyst should be removed at the end of the reaction. In the case of caustic alkalies, these are neutralised with sulphuric or carbonic acid and removed by filtration. The alkylene oxides may be dried and purified by distilling in the presence of solid caustic soda or potash or a glycol. Excess of alkylene oxide is preferably avoided, a uniform concentration being maintained in the reaction zone. In examples, ethanol, butanols and tetradecanol are treated with various proportions of mixtures of ethylene oxide and 1 : 2-propyleneoxide. In some cases, the product is worked up by extracting with hot water after removal of the catalyst and freeing from the lower boiling constituents. The products, which have foaming properties, are stated to be useful as lubricants, e.g. for textiles, rubber and metals and also for hydraulic transmission systems. The treatment of wool, cotton, flax, hemp and synthetic fibres is mentioned. Specification 443,559 is referred to.

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