Synthesis of difunctional oxyethylene-based compounds

A method comprising:

• reacting a toluenesulfonyl-terminated polyoxyethylene compound having the formula:
• CH3—C6H4—SO2—(O—CH2—CH2)n—O—R1;
• with an ammonium salt having the formula:
• NH4X
• to form a compound having the formula:
• X—CH2—CH2—(O—CH2—CH2)n-1—R3;
• wherein n is a positive integer;
• wherein X is chloride, bromide, iodide, cyanide, cyanate, thiocyanate, or azide;
• wherein R1 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbon, halo-substituted hydrocarbon, or CH3—C6H4—SO2—and
• wherein —R3 is —O—R1 when R1 is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon, halo-substituted hydrocarbon thereof or —X when R1 is CH3—C6H4—SO2—.