METHOD OF PRODUCING NON-PHENOL ETHOXYLATES Russian patent published in 2013 - IPC C08G65/10 C08G65/28 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a modified semi-continuous method of producing an ethoxylate, which involves feeding a portion of the product from the previous production ("residue") or an ethoxylate into a reactor; feeding a double metal cyanide catalyst into the reactor; optionally non-phenol C₁-C₅₆ alcohol into the reactor in amount ranging from 0.2 wt % to an amount equal to or greater than the amount of the residue; feeding ethylene oxide for activating the double metal cyanide catalyst; adding the non-phenol C₁-C₅₆ alcohol simultaneously with the ethylene oxide for the step of the method; and continuing to add more than 4% ethylene oxide after completing the simultaneous addition of the non-phenol C₁-C₅₆ alcohol and ethylene oxide, wherein that percentage is defined as the weight of ethylene oxide added as a nucleating agent divided by the weight of the entire product produced. The ethoxylate product has molecular weight distribution essentially equivalent to that of the finished ethoxylate product produced by basic catalysis.

EFFECT: disclosed method considerably improves duration of the cycle and safety of producing ethoxylates which can be used in or as surfactants.

11 cl, 14 ex, 3 tbl