PROCESS FOR PRODUCING POLYOXYALKYLENE GLYCOL AND CATALYST FOR USE IN ACID-CATALYZED REACTION

摘要

A process for producing, through the ring-opening polymerization of a cyclic ether, a polyoxyalkylene glycol which has a relatively low molecular weight and a molecular-weight distribution with a sharp peak; and a catalyst for use in acid-catalyzed reactions such as this ring-opening polymerization. The process comprises polymerizing a cyclic ether by ring-opening polymerization in the presence of a catalyst to produce a polyoxyalkylene glycol, the catalyst comprising a porous inorganic oxide consisting mainly of alumina and a sulfuric acid ingredient supported thereon. In the catalyst, the volume of the pores each having a diameter within the range of +/-20% based on the median pore diameter preferably accounts for at least 50% of the total pore volume. Further, the median pore diameter of the catalyst is preferably 2 to 25 nm.