Patent ID: 8143371

Claim:
A process for producing a reaction product comprising at least one polytrimethylene ether glycol or copolymer thereof, comprising: (a) reacting (1) at least one alkanediol reactant selected from the group consisting of 1,3-propanediol and oligomers of 1,3-propanediol having a degree of polymerization of 2-6, (2) optionally, at least one comonomer diol selected from the group consisting of ethanediol, C 4 through C 12 straight-chain diols, and C 3 through C 12 branched diols; and (3) at least one polycondensation catalyst whereby a reaction mixture comprising water is produced as said reacting proceeds; and (b) maintaining the water in the reaction mixture as the reacting proceeds at a concentration above at least about 0.08% by weight relative to the weight of the reaction mixture; whereby a reaction product is produced and wherein said reaction product has an M n of at least about 250 grams per mole.