| abstract |
Described is a process for preparing mixtures of mixed-alkylated methylolated 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-ones by reaction of methylolated 4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidin-2-one (DMDHEU) with a monohydric C1-5 alcohol and a polyol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, 1,2-butylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, glycerol and polyethylene glycols of the formula HO(CH2CH2O)nH where 3<=n<=20, the monohydric C1-5 alcohol and the polyol each being used in an amount of from 0.1 to 2.0 mol equivalents, based on DMDHEU, and the reaction being carried out at temperatures from 20° C. to 70° C. and at a pH of from 1 to 2.5, and the pH being set to a value of from 4 to 8 after the reaction. |