Claims
- 1. A process for preparing n-alkyl glyceryl ether alcohols of the general formula: ##STR5## wherein R is a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 n-alkyl radical and m is a number from 1 to about 10, which comprises the steps of bringing together and reacting a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 n-alkyl primary alcohol and crude glycidol which is predissolved in a non-polar, non-reactive and miscible solvent selected from the group consisting of benzene, toluene, ortho-xylene, meta-xylene, para-xylene and mesitylene, in the presence of a basic catalyst in a reaction zone, said alcohol and glycidol being brought together and reacted in a molecular ratio within the range of from about 1:0.9 to about 1:10; maintaining the resulting reaction mass in an agitated condition; maintaining the temperature of the reaction mass within the range of from about 125.degree. to about 180.degree. C. during the reaction period; separating said non-polar solvent from the reaction mass; and recovering a C.sub.10 -C.sub.20 n-alkyl glyceryl ether alcohol product.
- 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the non-polar non-reactive and miscible solvent is toluene.
- 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the n-alkyl alcohol reactant is a C.sub.12 -C.sub.16 n-alkyl alcohol.
- 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the n-alkyl alcohol reactant is lauryl alcohol.
- 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the n-alkyl alcohol reactant is myristyl alcohol.
- 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the temperature of the reaction mass is maintained within the range of from about 150.degree. to about 170.degree. C.
- 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the reaction of the n-alkyl alcohol and glycidol is carried out in an inert atmosphere.
- 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the solution of glycidol in the non-polar solvent, is a 10-20 weight percent solution.
- 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the basic catalyst is potassium hydroxide.
- 10. The process of claim 1 wherein the crude glycidol contains at least 1% by weight glycerine.
- 11. The process of claim 1 wherein the crude glycidol contains from 1 to 25% by weight glycerine.
- 12. The process of claim 1 wherein the crude glycidol contains from 5 to 20% by weight glycerine.
- 13. The process of claim 1, 10, 11 or 12 wherein the crude glycidol also contains water.
Parent Case Info
This application is a continuation-in-part of copending application Ser. No. 061,219 filed July, 27, 1979 and now abandoned.
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Number |
Name |
Date |
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2089569 |
Orthner et al. |
Aug 1937 |
|
3719636 |
Wojtowicz et al. |
Mar 1973 |
|
4105580 |
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4217296 |
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Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
420903 |
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GBX |
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
61219 |
Jul 1979 |
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