Alkoxylation process using calcium based catalysts

A process for preparing an alkoxylation catalyst comprising:

• forming a catalyst pre-mix by admixing an alkoxylated alchohol mixture containing an alkoxylated alcohol having the general formula
• R.sub.1 --O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 --O--.sub.n H
• wherein R.sub.1 is a hydrocarbon radical containing from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms and n is from about 1 to about 20 and from about 1 to about 60% by weight free alchohol, a calcium containing compound which is at least partially dispersible in said alkoxylated alcohol mixture, an inorganic acid selected from the class consisting of sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid, ammonium biflouride, ammonium sulfate, and mixtures thereof, and an aluminum alkoxide having the general formula ##STR2## where R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 is each a hydrocarbon radical containing from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, said calcium containing compound and said alkoxylated alcohol mixture being mixed prior to addition of said aluminum alkoxide;
• and
• heating said catalyst pre-mix to a temperature and for a time sufficient to effect at least a partial exchange reaction between the alkoxide groups of said aluminum alkoxide and said hydroxyl group of said alkoxylated alcohol and thereby form an active alkoxylation catalyst.