Degradation and analysis of polyoxyethylene mono-alkyl ethers in the presence of acetyl chloride

Abstract Degradation of model polyoxyethylene glycol monoalkyl ethers in the presence of an excess of acetyl chloride was studied. The degradation products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. It was found that degradation is complete at 250°C after 2 h, and this method of degradation can be used to determine the average degree of ethoxylation with high precision and accuracy. The degrees of ethoxylation determined were equal to the actual ones.