METHOD FOR PREPARING ALKYLENE GLYCOLS Russian patent published in 2004 - IPC

FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to method for preparing alkylene glycols, in particular, monoalkylene glycols. Method involves interaction of alkylene oxide of the general formula: R¹CR²OCR³R⁴ wherein R¹-R⁴ represent independently hydrogen atom or optionally substituted alkyl group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms with water in the presence of at least one ionic composition of cation of quaternary phosphonium of the general formula: R₁R₂R₃R₄P⁺ wherein each among R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄ can represent independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and anion taken among the group: hydrocarbonate, bisulfite and anions of carboxylic acids. Method allows carrying out the process without using large water excess with high thermic stability of quaternary phosphonium catalyst. Compounds can be used antifreeze compositions as solvents, as basic materials in preparing polyalkylene terephthalates, for example, for fibers or bottles. EFFECT: improved preparing method, valuable properties of compounds. 4 cl, 2 tbl