Alkoxylation processes and catalysts therefor

摘要

A process of contacting an alkylene oxide with 2-methoxy-1-propanol (PM1) in the presence of an oligomeric Schiff base metal complex catalyst is disclosed. Further, a process involving contacting an alkylene oxide with an alkyl alcohol using an oligomeric Schiff base metal complex as a catalyst is also disclosed. Additionally, novel compositions which can be used as catalysts in processes involving the contacting of an alkyl alcohol with an alkylene oxide are also disclosed.

主权项

1. A process comprising:
contacting an alkylene oxide with a mixture consisting of 2-methoxy-1-propanol (PM1) and 1-methoxy-2-propanol (PM2), in ratio of PM2/PM1 of 0.68/1, in the presence of a catalyst comprising a tetradentate Schiff-base metal complex in a reaction zone under reaction conditions to produce a reaction product, said reaction product comprising PM1 alkoxylates with less than 10 alkylene oxide equivalents.