Alkoxylated phosphite ester and process therefor

Abstract

A composition and a process for producing the composition are disclosed. The composition comprises an alkoxylated phosphite ester which has the formula of (HO[{CH(R)} m O] n ) 3 P in which each R can be the same or different and can be independently hydrogen or an alkyl group, or combinations of two or more thereof and m is a number from 2 to about 20 and n is a number from 2 to about 20. The process comprises contacting a trialkyl phosphite with an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol to produce a mixture followed by heating the mixture. Also disclosed in a process for using the composition, which comprises contacting a carbonyl compound, in the presence of the composition, with an alcohol.

1 - 27 . (canceled)  
     
     
         28 . A process comprising contacting, in the presence of a composition comprising an alkoxylated phosphite and an organic titanium compound, a carbonyl compound with an alcohol wherein said alkoxylated phosphite has the formula of (HO[{CH(R)} m O] n ) 3 P wherein each R is independently hydrogen, an alkyl group, or combinations of two or more thereof; m is a number from 2 to about 20; and n is a number from 1 to about 20.  
     
     
         29 . A process according to  claim 28  wherein said composition is tri-(ethyleneglycol) phosphite, tri(propylene glycol) phosphite; tri(isopropylene glycol) phosphite; tri(1,4-butylene glycol) phosphite; tri (-isobutylene glycol) phosphite; tri(pentylene glycol) phosphite; tri(hexylene glycol) phosphite; tri(octylene glycol) phosphite, tri(nonylene glycol) phosphite, tri (diethylene glycol) phosphite, tri(triethylene glycol) phosphite, tri(polyethylene glycol)phosphite, tri(polypropylene glycol) phosphite, tri(polybutylene glycol) phosphite; or combinations of two or more thereof.  
     
     
         30 . A process according to  claim 29  wherein said composition is tri-(ethylene glycol) phosphite.  
     
     
         31 . (canceled)  
     
     
         32 . A process according to  claim 30  wherein said composition further comprising a complexing agent, which is a hydroxycarboxylic acid, an alkanolamine, an aminocarboxylic acid, or combinations of two or more thereof.  
     
     
         33 . A process according to  claim 32  wherein said composition further comprising a hypophosphorous acid, its salt, or both.  
     
     
         34 . A process according to  claim 32  wherein said titanium compound is tetra isopropyl titanate, tetra n-butyl titanate, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         35 . A process according to  claim 33  wherein said titanium compound is tetra isopropyl titanate, tetra n-butyl titanate, or combinations thereof.  
     
     
         36 . A process according to  claim 32  wherein said titanium compound is a titanium chelate comprising or produced from a tetraalkyl titanate and said complexing agent.  
     
     
         37 . (canceled)  
     
     
         38 . A process according to  claim 36  wherein said composition further comprises sodium hypophosphite.  
     
     
         39 . A process according to  claim 36  wherein said titanium or a titanium compound is titanium bis-ammonium lactate.  
     
     
         40 . A process according to  claim 39  wherein said composition is tri-(ethylene glycol) phosphite.