| abstract |
Useful catalysts are provided herein by allowing and promoting the insertion of alkylene oxides into ester loops. The esters used as an alkoxylated substrate include esters of fatty acids, such as methyl esters of fatty acids from C14 to C22, and mono-di-, and tri-esters of glycerin, including vegetable oils, animal fats and oils of plant. A catalyst according to the invention includes at least two alkaline earth compounds, which may include any known stable compound of the alkaline earths, and optionally contains one or more additional materials such as a carboxylic acid or a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 100 and 1500 or a C1-C10-terminated polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight between about 100 and 1500, which has been acidified with a strong mineral acid. The preferred alkaline earth metals used are salts and compounds of magnesium and calcium. |