Direct ethoxylation of a longer-chain aliphatic ester

Abstract 2‐Ethylhexyl laurate, as an exemplary longer‐chain aliphatic ester, was subjected to direct ethoxylation. The synthesis was described and the obtained products were analyzed qualitatively by means of the mass spectrometry and chromatographic methods. Solubility of the obtained ethoxylates was studied by determination of their cloud points in selected model solutions. It was shown that longer‐chain aliphatic esters are feasible as raw materials for ethoxylation in the presence of an appropriate catalyst. They undergo effective and selective reaction with ethylene oxide without formation of excessive amounts of by‐products. The obtained products exhibit typical properties of ethoxylate‐type nonionic surfactants. Their solubility in water and butyldiglycol solution was relatively lower compared to their methyl ester equivalents.