Continuous processes for the production of ethoxylates

摘要

The present invention provides continuous processes for the production of an ethoxylate from a C 1 - C 26 non-phenolic alcohol in the presence of a double metal cyanide ("DMC") catalyst. The inventive multi-stage continuous process produces an ethoxylate product with an essentially equivalent molecular weight distribution as compared to the same ethoxylate made by basic catalysis. The inventive single-stage continuous process produces ethoxylate products having only a slightly broader molecular weight distribution than the multi-stage process. The products made by the inventive multi-stage continuous process may offer advantages where the ethoxylate product is used in or as a surfactant.