GB781765A - Process for the manufacture of alkylene oxide condensation products - Google Patents

Abstract

Alkylene oxide condensation products are prepared by reaction of alkylene oxides in the vaporized state with organic or inorganic compounds containing at least one reactive hydrogen atom and in the form of a finely-divided liquid or solution in a circulatory apparatus in which the liquid reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn and recycled to the reactor, the alkylene oxide being evaporated outside the reaction zone and then introduced into the reaction zone in the form of vapour under substantially atmospheric pressure for reaction with the finely-divided second reagent. Specified reagents are carboxylic acids, amides, amines, mercaptans, hydroxy-compounds and sodium bisulphite, and ethylene, propylene and butylene oxides, preferably used without a diluent. Temperatures of 50-200 DEG C. are suitable and catalysts may be present. Suitable apparatus is described. Examples illustrate the reaction of octyl phenol with about 8 mols. of ethylene oxide, castor oil with about 15 mols. of ethylene oxide and aqueous sodium bisulphite with about one mol. of ethylene oxide. Specification 683,884 is referred to.ALSO:Alkylene oxide condensation products are prepared by reaction of alkylene oxides in a vaporized state with organic or inorganic compounds containing at least one active hydrogen atom and in the form of a finely divided liquid or of a finely divided solution in a circulatory apparatus in which the liquid reaction mixture is continuously withdrawn and recycled to the reactor, the alkylene oxide being evaporated outside the reaction zone and then continuously introduced into the reaction zone in the form of vapour under substantially atmospheric pressure for reaction with the finely divided droplets of the second reagent. Specified reagents are ethylene, propylene and butylene oxides, which are preferably used without a diluent, and carboxylic acids, amides, amines, mercaptans, hydroxy-compounds including alkyl-phenols and sodium bisulphite. Reaction temperatures of 50-200 DEG C. are suitable. Catalysts may be present. According to examples using illustrated apparatus (not shown) : (1) octyl-phenol containing added sodium as catalyst is heated in a vented cylindrical reactor to 150 DEG C. and the liquid phenol is continuously cycled by a pump from the base of the reactor to a centrifugal nozzle at the top; liquid ethylene oxide is fed to an evaporator and the vaporized oxide is then passed continuously into the top of the reactor at atmospheric pressure at a rate such that substantially no ethylene oxide gas escapes from the reactor vent; about 8 mols. of ethylene oxide are combined with 1 mol. of phenol; in like manner (2) castor oil is reacted with about 15 molar proportions of ethylene oxide; and (3) sodium bisulphite in aqueous solution with about one molar proportion of ethylene oxide. Specification 683,884 is referred to.