The present invention relates generally to narrow range alcohol alkoxylates and derivatives thereof, such as alkyl ether sulfates.

Provided herein are novel extended branched alcohols having a lower branching number and improved biodegradability when compared to other branched alcohols. Also provided are novel extended branched ethoxylates having surfactant properties which can be more efficient in reducing surface tension when compared to the ethoxylated form of other branched alcohols. Further provided are novel syntheses of making extended branched alcohols and extended branched ethoxylates.

Provided herein are novel extended branched alcohols having a lower branching number and improved biodegradability when compared to other branched alcohols. Also provided are novel extended branched ethoxylates having surfactant properties which can be more efficient in reducing surface tension when compared to the ethoxylated form of other branched alcohols. Further provided are novel syntheses of making extended branched alcohols and extended branched ethoxylates.

Hydroxyacetal or hydroxyketal monomers, processes for their preparation, their use to produce degradable polymers, hydroxy-functional intermediates resulting from degradation, and repurposed polymers made from the hydroxy-functional intermediates are described. The invention avoids the energy-intensive conditions normally used to degrade polyurethanes and generates new hydroxy-functional intermediates that can be repurposed or upcycled. Polyurethanes and melamines, materials once destined for a landfill, can have a second life. Incorporation of a photoacid generator into microcapsule core materials and fabrication of the shell from the hydroxy-functional acetal or ketal monomers promotes facile, inside-out, solid-state degradation of the microcapsule shell triggered by UV light and acid generation in a hydrophobic environment. This enables controlled release of flavors, fragrances, biocides, agricultural actives, or other oil-based beneficial agents from within the microcapsules.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a dialkyi or dialkenyl ether of a cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol, which comprises (i) reacting the cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol with metallic sodium in an aprotic organic solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one monoether-monoalcohol of formula (I) wherein Y is identical or different and selected from C.sub.2-C.sub.4-alkylene, n is an integer in the range from 1 to 10, and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4-Alkyl, whereby the corresponding disodium dialcoholate is obtained, reacting the disodium dialcoholate obtained in step (i) with an alkylation alkenylation reagent. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a dialkyi or dialkenyl ether of a cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol, which comprises (i) reacting the cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol with metallic sodium in an aprotic organic solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one monoether-monoalcohol of formula (I) wherein Y is identical or different and selected from C.sub.2-C.sub.4-alkylene, n is an integer in the range from 1 to 10, and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4-Alkyl, whereby the corresponding disodium dialcoholate is obtained, reacting the disodium dialcoholate obtained in step (i) with an alkylation alkenylation reagent. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a dialkyi or dialkenyl ether of a cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol, which comprises (i) reacting the cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol with metallic sodium in an aprotic organic solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one monoether-monoalcohol of formula (I) wherein Y is identical or different and selected from C.sub.2-C.sub.4-alkylene, n is an integer in the range from 1 to 10, and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4-Alkyl, whereby the corresponding disodium dialcoholate is obtained, reacting the disodium dialcoholate obtained in step (i) with an alkylation alkenylation reagent.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing a dialkyi or dialkenyl ether of a cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol, which comprises (i) reacting the cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diol with metallic sodium in an aprotic organic solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of at least one monoether-monoalcohol of formula (I) wherein Y is identical or different and selected from C.sub.2-C.sub.4-alkylene, n is an integer in the range from 1 to 10, and R.sup.1 is C.sub.1-C.sub.4-Alkyl, whereby the corresponding disodium dialcoholate is obtained, reacting the disodium dialcoholate obtained in step (i) with an alkylation alkenylation reagent.

A compound serving as coalescing agent and a coating composition employing the compound are provided. The compound has a structure represented by Formula (I)

##STR00001##

wherein n is 0, 1, 2, or 3; m is 0, 1, 2, or 3; R.sup.1 is

##STR00002##

R.sup.2 is

##STR00003##

R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, and R.sup.6 are independently C.sub.1-12 alkyl group; and, R.sup.1 is distinct from R.sup.2 when n is equal to m.

Provided herein are novel extended branched alcohols having a lower branching number and improved biodegradability when compared to other branched alcohols. Also provided are novel extended branched ethoxylates having surfactant properties which can be more efficient in reducing surface tension when compared to the ethoxylated form of other branched alcohols. Further provided are novel syntheses of making extended branched alcohols and extended branched ethoxylates.