Patent ID: 7405330
Filing Date: 2008-07-29
Classification: C08G

Abstract:
1. A process for producing polytrimethylene ether glycol comprising: A) forming a reaction mixture comprising (1) a 1,3-propanediol reactant selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol, oligomers of 1,3-propanediol having a degree of polymerization of 2-9, and mixtures of the 1,3-propanediol and said oligomers, (2) at least one polycondensation catalyst and (3) at least one ionic liquid comprised of an ammonium cation and an anion having the Formula: wherein: thereby forming a polyether phase comprising at least one polytrimethylene ether glycol and an ionic liquid phase that comprises the at least one polycondensation catalyst; and B) separating the polyether phase from the ionic liquid phase, thereby forming a separated ionic liquid phase.