PRODUCTION OF SULFATION PRODUCT OF HIGHER SECONDARY ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a sulfation product of a higher secondary alcohol ethoxylate useful as a base, etc., for various kinds of detergents in high quality and high yield. SOLUTION: A higher secondary alcohol ethoxylate of the formula [R and R are each 1-18C alkyl; (n) is 1-20] which is ethylene oxide adduct of a higher secondary alcohol obtained by oxidizing n-paraffin is subjected to hydrogenation treatment under high pressure using a catalyst of a metal of VIII group (e.g. reduced nickel) or under ordinary pressure using sodium borohydride or aluminum lithiumhydride. Then, the treated material is subjected to sulfation reaction with chlorosulfonic acid or anhydrous sulfuric acid, preferably in a solvent (e.g. methylene chloride) to provide the objective product. Impurities such as unsaturated compound produced in a very small amount as a by-product in oxydation step of n-paraffin and addition step of ethylene oxide is modified by carrying out hydrogenation treatment before salfation reaction. Thereby, side reactions in a sulfation step is avoided and deterioration of quality is prevented.