GB669936A - Process for the preparation of polyether derivatives of acetic acid and their salts - Google Patents

Abstract

Polyether derivatives of acetic acid are made by reacting a monohaloacetic acid or salt thereof with the alkali hydroxide addition product of an ether-alcohol R-(O-A)n-OH, where R is alkyl or aryl, A is alkylene of 2-4 carbon atoms and n is an integer; the alkali salts of the polyether-acids are thus obtained from which the free acids are produced by acidification. The addition products mentioned above are made by mixing the components at room temperature or slightly above; no water is eliminated. Examples show the production of (C2H5)2CH-CH2-O-CH2-CH2 -O-CH2 -COOH, n-C4H9-O-CH2-CH2-O-CH2 -CH2-O-CH2-COOH, n-C12H25-O-CH2-CH2-O-CH2 -CH2-O-CH2-COOH and (n-C4H9-O-CH2-CH2-O -CH2)2CH -O-CH2-COOH. Specified starting materials are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, octadecyl, phenyl, amylphenyl and octylphenyl glycol and polyglycol ethers. Samples have been furnished under Sect. 2 (5) of products obtained by reacting sodium monochloracetate with (1) the product from 2 mols. of ethylene oxide and 1 mol. of cetyl alcohol; and (2) the compound <FORM:0669936/IV (b)/1> Specification 304,585, [Class 2 (iii)], is referred to. In the Specification as open to inspection under Sect. 91, it is stated that R may be interrupted by hetero-atoms, or may be a cycloalkyl, aralkyl or heterocyclic radical; alternatively R-O-A may form a ring. A further example is given of the p reaction between monochloracetic acid and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol to give tetrahydrofurfuryloxyacetic acid. Additional specified starting materials are cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, benzyl and phenylethyl glycol and polyglycol ethers, also polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, polyglycerines and mono- and di-ethers of glycerine. In certain cases R may carry substituents, e.g. hydroxy groups. It is also stated that functional derivatives of the polyether acids may be obtained, using functional derivatives of haloacetic acids. This subject-matter does not appear in the Specification as accepted.ALSO:Various polyether acids of the formula R-(O-A)n-O-CH2-COOH are stated to be wetting agents giving strongly foaming solutions stable to lime; R is an alkyl or aryl, A is alkylene of 2-4 carbon atoms and n is an integer. Specified compounds are n-C12H25-O-C2H4-O-C2H4-O -CH2-COOH and the products obtained by reacting sodium monochloracetate with (1) the product from 2 mols. of ethylene oxide and 1 mol. of cetyl alcohol; and (2) the compound <FORM:0669936/IV (c)/1>