Synthesis and Properties of Primary Alcohol Ethoxylates Using Different Catalytic Systems

Various catalysts were used to catalyze the ethoxylation reaction of C12–14 primary alcohols with ethylene oxide. Alcohol ethoxylates with a ratio of ethylene oxide/substrate near 3 were synthesized. The catalysts influenced the reaction rate, molecular weight distribution of adducts, and formation of byproducts. The physicochemical properties of ethoxylates obtained using different catalytic systems were analyzed, and their functional properties, i.e., wetting and permeation, were investigated. The results showed that the products obtained using the catalysts MCT-09 and NAE-03 had a narrower oligomer distribution and excellent wetting properties compared with those obtained using conventional ethoxylation catalysts.