Process for preparing nonionic surfactants

US5093043A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Deutsche Solvay-Werke GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Gerald Jakobson · Rheinberg, DE
• Werner Siemanowski · Rheinberg, DE
• Karl-Heinz Uhlig · Krefeld, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 26, 1989
• Grant date: Mar 3, 1992
• Expiry date: May 26, 2009

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K23/34
• WIPO field: Pharmaceuticals
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing a nonionic surfactant includes the steps of: cleaving at least one of the isopropylidene groups of an isopropylidene polyglycerol C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 -fatty acid or mono- or polyhydroxy fatty acid ester, by hydrolysis or ketal exchange, in the presence of acid, at a temperature in the range of about 20.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., and at atmospheric, reduced or superatmospheric pressure, thereby regenerating hydroxyl groups on the polyglycerol; and recovering the resultant polyol ester nonionic surfactant. Such polyol ester surfactants are useful as emulsifiers, especially for preparing skin care or cosmetic formulations and paints and wood-preservation agents.