Patent ID: 6121499
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for producing a polyhydroxy ether having the formula (I)(HO).sub.(w-m) W(OV).sub.m (I)in which W represents an organic group and OV represents a structural element containing a hydroxyl group, w is the functionality of a multifunctional alcohol having the formula:W(OH).sub.w (II),m is an integer from 1 to w, and OV is represented by the structured formula (III): ##STR5## in which X: is H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl, alkoxymethyl, or aryloxymethyl;Y: is H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, aryl, alkoxymethyl, aryloxymethyl, carbalkoxymethyl, carbamidomethyl, or M;Z: is H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl, or aryl, or X-Z taken together is a C.sub.2 or C.sub.3 alkylene group;M: is --CH.sub.2 OH or ##STR6## n,n': are integers from 1 to 5; and in which the alkyl and aryl in X, Y and Z may also be substituted and OV may be the same or different,comprising reacting the multifunctional alcohol having the formula (II) with an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound having the formulaXCH.dbd.CY--CZ.dbd.O (IV)in which X, Y and Z have the meanings stated above, except that Y is not M,with formaldehyde in the presence of an alkali hydroxide or an alkaline earth hydroxide in an aqueous phase at a pH above 7 and a temperature in the range of 0 to 100.degree. C., with the molar ratio of II to IV being 0.05 to 20, the molar ratio of formaldehyde to IV being 2 to 15, and the molar ratio of metal hydroxide equivalent to IV being 1-3, to form a reaction mixture,acidifying the reaction mixture and optionally isolating reaction products,wherein the .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound (IV) and formaldehyde, and optionally the multifunctional alcohol (II) and the alkali hydroxide or alkaline earth hydroxide are added continuously or periodically to an initial aqueous solution or suspension comprising at least 10 mole % of a total amount of the multifunctional alcohol (II) to be used in the reacting step, 10 to 70 mole % of a total amount of the formaldehyde to be used in the reacting step, and at least 10 mole % of a total amount of the alkali hydroxide or alkaline earth hydroxide to be used in the reacting step, and wherein the formaldehyde in the reaction mixture is always in excess with respect to the .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compound (IV).