PROCESSES FOR THE PREPARATION OF SATURATED ALCOHOL DERIVATIVES AND THEIR USE IN DETERGENT: PLASTICIZER: AND SYNTHETIC LUBRICANT FORMULATIONS

摘要

This invention relates to processes for making biodegradable surfactant. The process comprises several steps including an optional step. The first step is directed to reacting olefins with ZSM-23 catalyst to form oligomers having the formula (C3)x, (C4)x or mixtures thereof. Second, the oligomer is hydroformylated to form a saturated alcohol, for example, tridecanol. Next, the saturated alcohol is ethoxylated. Thereafter a nonionic biodegradable surfactant is recovered. This surfactant can be used in detergent formulations. A process is also taught for making esters which can be used as lubricants or plasticizers. A specific hydroformylation process is taught which utilizes modified cobalt carbonyl catalyst. Also, a specific ethoxylation process is taught. Products formed according to the latter two processes as well as their uses are also taught.