Ethoxylated Fatty Alcohol Acrylates

Ethoxylated or propoxylated fatty alcohol acrylate or methacrylate compoimds are useful as defoamers for concrete compositions (28). It has been observed that a special balance between the chain length of the fatty alcohol and the distribution of the ethoxy or propoxy units results in an ester with improved defoaming properties. These products are particularly efficient in removing occluded air bubbles and foams formed during concrete processing operations. This is unusual, since the structures miss polymeric backbones. 

Preparation 5-2 First, 1 mol acrylic acid and 0.3 mol Cetylstearyl+3EO+ 5PO methacrylate (Agnique DFM 250, Cognis GmbFF) are placed in a 250 ml polymerization flask at room temperature. The mixture is diluted with 58.6 ml water and set under nitrogen bubbling in order to remove all traces of oxygen. Then the mixture is heated to about 80°C and 1.4 ammonium persulfate as radical initiator is added. Since the polymerization is an exothermic reaction, the flask must be cooled in order to maintain a reaction temperature of 80-90° C. Once the polymerization is finished, the product is cooled to room temperature and treated with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to neutralize the acidic groups in the polymer and diluted with water to adjust a polymer content of 30%. 

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Figure 5.4 Synthesis of an ethoxylated fatty alcohol acrylate.

Synonyms Isododecanol Isolauryl alcohol Uses Antifoam coupling agent dispersant emollient emulsifier release agent solubilizer intermediate for sulfation, ethoxylation, esterification, phosphation, etc., for prod, of acrylates, adipates, aldehydes, alkyl ether sulfates, halides, alkyl phoshates, fatty acid esters, etc. 

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