Controlled partial depolymerization process for polytetramethylene ether glycol molecular weight distribution narrowing

A process for preparing polytetramethylene ether glycol comprising the steps of:

• (a) contacting a feedstock comprising polytetramethylene ether glycol with an acid ion exchange resin in a contact vessel for a contact time that is sufficient to partially depolymerize the polytetramethylene ether glycol, wherein the acid ion exchange resin has a concentration of acid sites that is greater than about 5 eq/kg, a particle size that is greater than about 0.3 mm, a surface area in the range from about 25 to about 50 m2/gram, and a pore volume in the range from about 0.15 to about 0.35 cc/gram, and wherein the contact vessel has a temperature in the range from about 50 to about 120° C. and a pressure in the range from about 0 to about 30 psig;
• and
• (b) recovering a product stream from the contact vessel comprising a polytetramethylene ether glycol product, wherein the polytetramethylene ether glycol product has an increased number average molecular weight, a lowered polydispersity and a lower molecular weight ratio when compared to the polytetramethylene ether glycol in the feedstock.