CONVERSION OF ALKYLHALIDES INTO ALCOHOL ALKOXYLATES

摘要

A process for converting alkyl halides to alkyl alcohol alkoxylates is described. This is a direct alkoxylation because the alkyl alcohol alkoxylates are made without going through an alkyl alcohol intermediate. The process comprises direct alkoxylation coupling of alkyl halides with a nucleophilic material in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system to produce alkyl alcohol alkoxylates, wherein the homogeneous catalyst system comprises at least one metal or metal compound which has the ability to form metal-halogen bonds. A process for converting alkanes (paraffins) to alkyl alcohol alkoxylates is also described. This method comprises a) halogenation of at least one alkane to produce at least one alkyl halide; and b) direct alkoxylation coupling of at least a portion of the alkyl halide with a nucleophilic material in the presence of a homogeneous catalyst system to produce alkyl alcohol alkoxylates, wherein the homogeneous catalyst system comprises at least one metal or metal compound which has the ability to form metal-halogen bonds.