Extraction of alcohol and alkylphenol ethoxylates

If no other surfactants are present, transfer the hydrolysed solution quantitatively to a separating funnel. Proceed as described for fatty alcohols, replacing the petroleum ether with chloroform. 

Dilute the hydrolysed solution with four times its own volume of methanol. 

Add 40 ml (apparent volume) of a mixed-bed ion-exchange resin (see section 4.4.7) previously washed in 80% methanol. 

Wash the resin and the filter with several small volumes of 80% methanol, collecting them in the beaker. 

Evaporate to a low volume on a steam bath (caution flammable vapour). 

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