Novel nonionic siloxane surfactants

A new method for ethoxylation without application of pressure is described. Butynediololigo(oxyethylene) H(OCH₂CH₂)_n? OCH₂? C?C? CH₂O(CH₂CH₂O)_nH with n=1–16] has been prepared in the presence of an electrophilic catalyst in a specially developed reciruculating apparatus. The products have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopy. New nonionic silicone surfactants have been synthesized by hydrosilylation of these butynediololigo(oxyethylenes) with defined siloxanes and polysiloxanes. Protection of the hydroxyl group before hydrosilylation was not necessary. Hydrosilylation was carried out in the presence of a solvent. It has been possible to obtain surfactants with a surface tension of about 21-22 mN m^?1 and an interfacial tension of 2 mN m^?1.