Low-odor, higher molecular weight polyether polyols, a process for producing them, and their use for the production of polymers, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products synthesized from polyether polyols

A process for the production of a low odor polyether polyol which may be monofunctional or polyfunctional, and having an average molecular weight of from about 750 to 18,000, and a viscosity at 25.degree. C. of about 40 to 25,000 mPa.s, comprising

• 1) distilling an unpurified polyether polyol at temperatures of about 110.degree. to 150.degree. C. and at pressures of about 10 to 70 hPa, wherein about 5 to 30.0% by weight of water, based on the quantity of unpurified polyether polyol present, is metered into said polyether polyol over a time period of about 1 hour up to about 5 hours, said water being in finely divided form and having a droplet diameter of 5 to 100.mu.,
• wherein the resultant polyether polyol contains a) less than about 1.5 ppm of 2-methyl-2-pentenal, b) less than about 1.0 ppm of allyl alcohol, c) less than about 15 ppm of allyloxypropanol, d) less than about 50 ppm of dipropylene glycol allyl ether, and e) less than about 1.0 ppm of propionaldehyde.