Process for making linear polyethers
AssigneeShell Oil Company
InventorThomas F. Brownscombe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An improved process for making linear polyethers having a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution comprises contacting a monoepoxide with a salt selected from the group consisting of fluoborate, fluophosphate, fluoantimonate and fluoarsenate salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, lead, nickel, aluminum, cadmium, cobalt, tin, zinc and copper in the presence of a hydroxyl-containing compound at a controlled temperature of about -78.degree. C. to less than +20.degree. C. and in the absence of any additional acid.
Claims14
A process for preparing predominately polymeric linear polyethers having a ratio of weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight of less than about 1.5, which process comprises:
- (a) adding a salt selected from the group consisting of fluoborate salts of a metal selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, tin, zinc and calcium to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature of about -78.degree. C. to less than +20.degree. C. in the presence of a hydroxyl-containing compound and in the absence of any additional acid;
- (b) contacting a 1,2-monoepoxide with said salt and said hydroxyl-containing compound in said reaction zone therein forming said linear polyethers;
- and
- (c) recovering said linear polyethers.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.