Ethoxylation of fatty alcohols promoted by an aluminum alkoxide sulphate catalyst

Synthesis and Properties of Primary Alcohol Ethoxylates Using Different Catalytic Systems

Various catalysts were used to catalyze the ethoxylation reaction of C12-14 primary alcohols with ethylene oxide. Alcohol ethoxylates with a ratio of ethylene oxide/substrate near 3 were synthesized. The catalysts influenced the reaction rate, molecular weight distribution of adducts, and formation of byproducts. The physicochemical properties of ethoxylates obtained using different catalytic systems were analyzed, and their functional properties, i.e., wetting and permeation, were investigated. The results showed that the products obtained using the catalysts MCT-09 and NAE-03 had a narrower oligomer distribution and excellent wetting properties compared with those obtained using conventional ethoxylation catalysts.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Tailor-Made Hydrocarbons from Organic Solvent Free Aqueous Fatty Acid Mixtures in a Micro Flow Reactor

The process described in the current paper is an alternative route that allows running the Kolbe electrolysis under economically attractive conditions and thus bringing it closer to an industrial application through novel process conditions, novel reactor technology, and the utilization of low-cost excess renewable electricity. The process allows the conversion of fatty acids into hydrocarbons in aqueous electrolytes without applying organic solvents. Important process parameters such as electrode material costs, surface area, and energy requirements of an electrochemical reactor in MW scale have been calculated. Depending on the fatty acid mixtures chosen, tailor-made product equivalents of jet oil, lamp oil, and diesel fuels can be achieved at high Faraday efficiency and high conversion, yields, and selectivities.