Process for preparing glycol monoesters

Glycol monoesters are obtained by reacting a 1,2-alkylene oxide with a sterically hindered carboxylic acid (as defined below) in the presence of an anhydrous catalyst at a temperature of 140-200 DEG C. The sterically hindered carboxylic acid is defined as a carboxylic acid having a tertiary carbon atom in the alpha, beta or gamma position with respect to the carboxyl group and the reaction is suitably effected at a pressure between atmospheric and 100 p.s.i.g. Many sterically hindered carboxylic acids are specified and in specific examples, employing sodium hydroxide as the catalyst, ethylene oxide is reacted with neo-decanoic acid, trimethyl acetic acid, 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl pimelic acid, dimethyl - cyclohexyl - acetic acid and dimethyl phenyl acetic acid and propylene oxide is reacted with neo-decanoic acid; some diesters and polyalkylene oxide esters are also obtained.