A novel way for ethoxylation with basic catalysts

Ethoxylation of dodecyl alcohol catalyzed by alkali hydroxides are accelerated by adding complexing agents for the alkali ions. The rate of ethoxylation could be increased by crown ether and dodecyl alcohols of a higher degree of ethoxylation. The effect is more pronounced with the crown ether; thus, reactions not taking place under other circumstances could also be carried out. The complexing additives have no significant effect on the molar mass distribution, The reaction could also be accelerated by using more bulky organic cations (e.g., triethylbenzylammonium ion) instead of the alkali cation.