2. Raw materials

Non-ionic surfactants are produced from widely available raw materials. In some cases, it is possible to use raw materials from different origins, giving greater ease and flexibility of supply.

The fatty acid esters used have hydrophobic chain lengths ranging from C8 to C18, while the hydrophilic part is selected from monoalcohols, glycols, tri-tetra- penta- and hexa-hydroxyalcohols. The latter can be further modified by the addition of ethylene and/or propylene oxide.

Alkoxylated derivatives are highly versatile, since their synthesis can be influenced by the nature of the hydrophobic chain, the number of alkoxy units, the relative percentages of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, their order of addition, and the formation of alkyl derivatives by reaction with terminal hydroxyls. This allows a high degree of flexibility in formulations...