Preparation of high molecular weight polyethylene glycols

Claim 1

IN A POLYMERIZATION PROCESS FOR PRODUCING A POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL, WHEREIN ETHYLENE OXIDE IS CONTACTED IN THE LIQUID PHASE WITH A SOLID ALKALINE CATALYST UNDER PRESSURE AND AT A TEMPERATURE OF 80* TO 150*C., THE IMPROVEMENT WHICH COMPRISES EMPLOYING IN THE REACTION ZONE A CATALYST SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF SOLID POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SOLID BARIUM HYDROXIDE AND SOLID CESIUM CARBONATE IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ADDED LIQUID DILUENT, INTRODUCING ETHYLENE OXIDE IN LIQUID PHASE INTO CONTACT WITH SAID SOLID CATALYST AND IN THE ABSENCE OF ADDED LIQUID DILUENT WHILE MAINTAINING THE REACTION ZONE UNDER A PRESSURE OF AT LEAST SEVEN ATMOSPHERES, CONTINUING THE INTRODUCTION OF LIQUID ETHYLENE OXIDE INTO SAID REACTION ZONE UNDER SAID CONDITIONS UNTIL AAT LEAST ABOUT 150 MOLES OF ETHYLENE OXIDE HAVE BEEN ADDED PER MOLE OF CATALYST, CONDUCTING THE SAID HETEROGENEOUS POLYMERIZATION FOR A REACTION TIME OF AT LEAST 20 HOURS, AND RECOVERING A POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT IN EXCESS OF 20,000 AS THE RESULTANT POLYMER PRODUCT.