Preparation of a pure dialkylaminoethanol stable against discoloration

摘要

A process for the preparation of a color-stable dialkylaminoethanol of the formula <IMAGE> in which R1 and R2 independently are C1-C20-alkyl, by reacting ethylene oxide with a dialkylamine of the formula HNR1R2, in which R1 and R2 have the same meaning, in the presence of from 2.5 to 50% by weight of water, based on the reaction mixture, at a temperature of from 95 DEG to 170 DEG C., and separating off the water and high-boiling constituents by distillation under a reduced pressure and at a temperature of from 40 DEG to 90 DEG C. at the column bottom.