Detergent-range alcohol alkoxylates via vicinal glycol additions to α-olefins Original Research Article

The synthesis of detergent-range, secondary alcohol alkoxylates via vicinal glycol addition to C8–C14 linear α-olefins has been demonstrated using both homogeneous, heteropoly acids and solid strong-acid catalysis — acidified montmorillonite clays. 1-Tetradecene reaction with ethylene glycol yields 2-(2-tetradecyloxy)ethanol as the principal glycol ether product. 1,2-Propylene glycol addition to typical linear α-olefins (e.g. 1-octene and 1-tetradecene) gives the corresponding secondary alkyl alcohol propoxylates. Both batch and continuous preparations of C8–C14 secondary alcohol 1-and 2-alkoxylates are described.