| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a process for sulfating unsaturated alcohols using inexpensive reagents and mild reaction conditions. The process comprises reacting an unsaturated alcohol of the formula R-OH, wherein R is a C8?-C22? alkenyl group, with an ether sulfate of the formula R?1(OCH2?CH2?)n?OSO3?M, wherein R?1 is a C1?-C18? hydrocarbyl group, n is an integer from 1 to 10, and M is an alkali metal, to form an unsaturated sulfate; said reaction being carried out in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of an acid catalyst. The mole ratio of unsaturated alcohol reactant to ether sulfate ranges from about 0.5:1 to about 2:1. In this process the sulfation occurs primarily at the hydroxyl goup of the unsaturated alcohol, with minimal sulfation at the olefinic moiety of said alcohol. |