| 摘要 |
Disclosed is a process for production of a polyether by polymerization or condensation of a raw material compound in the presence of a solid acid catalyst, which is characterized by using a catalyst that is improved in deterioration in catalytic performance with elapse of time to reduce the amount of the catalyst required for the reaction and produce a polyether having a narrow molecular weight distribution with a high conversion rate and in a stable manner for a long period of time. A solid acid catalyst having a hydroxyl group on the surface is allowed to contact with an organic compound other than a polyether and/or an inorganic compound which can react or interact with the hydroxyl group and then subjected to polymerization or condensation reaction. Since a hydrophobic group derived from the organic compound and/or the inorganic compound is bound to the hydroxyl group on the surface of the catalyst, the hydrophobic property of the surface of the catalyst can be improved, any influence of water which may adversely affect the performance of the catalyst can be eliminated, and the deterioration in catalytic performance with elapse of time can be prevented. Further, since a hydrophobic group is already bound to the reactive hydroxyl group on the surface of the catalyst, the binding or interaction of a polyether (i.e., a reaction product) to or with the hydroxyl group on the surface of the catalyst can be prevented, and the deterioration in catalytic performance with elapse of time can be prevented. |
