Alkoxylation processes and catalysts therefor

A process comprising:

• a) contacting an alkylene oxide with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst comprising a tetradentate Schiff base metal complex in a reaction zone under reaction conditions to produce a reaction product comprising a mixture of at least two of monoalkoxylated alcohols, dialkoxylated alcohols, trialkoxylated alcohols, heavy molecular weight alkoxylated alcohols having not more than 10 equivalents of alkylene oxide;
• and
• b) contacting an alkoxylated alcohol produced in step a) with alkylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst comprising a tetradentate Schiff base metal complex in a reaction zone under reaction conditions to produce a reaction product.