Abstract: A process for reducing volatile, odor-causing impurities in alkoxylated alcohols comprising adjusting the pH of an alkoxylated alcohol product mixture containing such impurities to a range of from about 7 to about 8.5 to produce an alkaline alkoxylated alcohol mixture and steam stripping the alkaline alkoxylated alcohol mixture at an elevated temperature for a period of time sufficient to produce a steam stripped alkoxylated alcohol containing a reduced amount of odor-causing impurities.

Abstract: This invention relates to an alk-1-enyl ether having the formula ##STR1## and to the process for its preparation.

Abstract: A process is provided for the catalytic asymmetric reduction of ketones to provide alcohol reaction products which are enriched in one enantiomer. The asymmetric reduction is accomplished utilizing an achiral metal precatalyst in combination with an optically active additive.

Abstract: A new process for producing allyl ethers, usually C.sub.8-30 alkyl (CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.5-100 allyl ether, by forming a solution of an alcohol, usually a surfactant alcohol, in a solvent capable of forming an azeotrope with water, azeotroping the mixture to remove substantially all the water, adding an alkalimetal alkoxide, usually sodium methoxide, removing the alkanol formed, usually by azeotroping with the solvent, adding a halide, usually allyl chloride, and recovering the allyl ether. The ethers are useful as monomers, for example to produce polymers by copolymerising with copolymerisable ethylenically unsaturated comonomers for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: In the process described for the preparation of alkoxylates having a narrow distribution of homologs by reaction of compounds containing at least one hydroxyl group with alkylene oxide, complex compounds of antimony pentahalide with a special Lewis base are used as the catalysts. Alkoxylates having a narrow distribution of homologs and good color quality are obtained at a high conversion.

Abstract: Novel surface active agents in the form of compounds of formulas (I) and (II) show higher surface activity. ##STR1## R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl or alkenyl groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, Z is H, SO.sub.3 H, PO(OH).sub.2, CH.sub.2 COOH, (CH.sub.2).sub.2 SO.sub.3 H or a salt thereof, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are alkyl or alkenyl groups having 5 to 19 carbon atoms, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and n is a number of from 1 to 20.

Abstract: New, cationically curable oxyalkylene ethers and the synthesis thereof are disclosed. The oxyalkylene ethers, are of the general, average formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is an n-valent residual group derived from a compound (R.sup.1)H.sub.n from which n active hydrogen atoms have been split off and is capable of entering into an addition reaction with oxiranes, or a univalent alkyl or aryl group, and n.gtoreq.1;R.sup.2 is a hydrogen, hydrocarbon or R.sup.3 OCH.sub.2 -- group;R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are each hydrogen, hydrocarbon or acyl groups, and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 may have different meanings in the molecule;R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are each hydrogen or alkyl groups with 1 to 8 carbon atoms, or R.sup.5 and R.sup.7, or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 together are a constituent of a cyclic, non-aromatic hydrocarbon group with 5 or 6 carbon atoms;m is at least 1 and at most n;x is the average molecule=3 to 100, andy in the average molecule=0 to 100, provided that 3.ltoreq.x+y<150.

Abstract: A process for producing an unsaturated group-terminated high-molecular weight polyalkylene oxide by adding an alkali metal and/or an alkali metal compound capable of producing an alkali metal hydroxide on reaction with water to a hydroxyl-terminated polyalkylene oxide having a repeating unit represented by formula --R.sup.1 --O-- (wherein R.sup.1 represents a divalent alkylene group having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms) to substitute the hydrogen atom of the hydroxyl end group with an alkali metal (alkoxidation) the resulting polyalkylene oxide is reacted with a polyhalogen compound to increase the molecular weight of the polyalkylene oxide and then additional alkali metal and/or alkali metal compound is added before reacting the resulting high-molecular weight polyalkylene oxide with an unsaturated halogen compound to introduce an unsaturated group to the molecular chain terminals.

Abstract: Alkoxylates of active hydrogen compounds having a peaked molecular weight distribution are prepared by reacting the active hydrogen compound with an alkylene oxide of from 2 to 4 carbon atoms using iron oxides as alkoxylation catalysts.

Abstract: Polytetrahydrofuran ethers of the formulaR.sup.1 --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.4 ].sub.n O--R.sup.2 Iwhere n is a number from 3 to 70, and R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are hydrocarbon radicals containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms and a double bond, but where R.sup.2 may alternatively be hydrogen.

Abstract: Esterified alkoxylated polyols useful as fat mimetics may be prepared by alkoxylating a benzylated polyol with an epoxide under basic conditions, reacting the benzyl ether group with hydrogen to convert it to a hydroxy group, and then esterifying with a fatty acid compound. The resulting product has at least one fatty acid ester group attached directly to the polyol residue.

Abstract: A copolymer of an olefinically unsaturated monomer and an allylically headed macromolecular monomer ("macromer") of a ring-openable cyclic ether ("CE") is prepared as a comb-shaped graft copolymer of macromer. A wide variety of olefinically unsaturated monomers may be used to form the copolymer. The macromer, having an allylic group near one end and a hydroxyl group at the other, is first produced by cationic ring-opening polymerization of the CE in conjunction with an unsaturated alcohol (propagator) having an allyl double bond. The polymerization to form the graft copolymer proceeds either by free radical polymerization or by metathesis polymerization. The graft copolymer of macromer has a hydrocarbon backbone and pendant chains of polymerized CE, each pendant chain terminating with an OH group.

Abstract: A process for the production of alkyl polyoxyethylenes showing improved low-temperature behavior, by reaction of alcohols with ethylene oxide at elevated temperature in the presence of basic alkali metal compounds as catalysts and subsequent neutralization of the alkaline catalyst with acids, which under prior art practice was impractical because of clogging of reaction vessels and equipment associated with precipitation of salts during neutralization, is made practical by adding a finely divided solid to serve as a precipitation control agent during neutralization. The finely divided solids used are, in particular, organic and/or inorganic materials known in the prior art as filter aids, such as kieselguhr and sawdust or other finely divided cellulose.

Abstract: Active-hydrogen compounds, for example, primary and secondary alcohols or diols, are alkoxylated, for example, ethoxylated, using solid anion-bound metal oxide catalysts, such as, zirconium oxysulfate catalyst. Hydrous zirconium oxide is treated with solutions of sulfate phosphate, nitrate or tetrafluoroborate and calcined in air at 300.degree. to 950.degree. C. to produce highly active heterogeneous alkoxylation catalysts. The amorphous catalysts afford narrow molecular weight products. The catalyst can be removed from the product by filtration and reused with no significant loss in activity. Reaction temperatures of 50.degree. to 140.degree. C. are employed for alkoxylation.

Abstract: A process for preparing an etherified polyoxyalkylene derivative of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.4 are identical or different and are each independently C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 alkenyl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 aryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 alkyl aryl, C.sub.6 -C.sub.20 cycloalkyl, and mixtures thereof, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are identical or different and independent of each other are H, CH.sub.3, CH.sub.3 CH.sub.2, and mixtures thereof, m, m' and n are identical or different and are each greater than or equal to zero, with the proviso that m+m'+n is from 3 to 300; by reacting a polyoxyalkylene compound of the formula.

Abstract: Monoalkylethers of alkyleneglycols and oligoalkyleneglycols are reacted completely with terminally unsaturated alkenyl halides to form terminally mono unsaturated glycolethers as product, wherein initially a complete reaction to the corresponding alcoholate takes place with only one equivalent of alcoholate former, such as alkali metal alcoholate or hydroxide, and two equivalents of glycolmonoether, then the alcoholate is reacted with one equivalent of alkenyl halide, whereupon a mixture of the desired product and the glycolmonoether of the alkali metal halide is filtered or distilled off, then this mixture is reacted with the second equivalent of the alcoholate former, whereupon the recovery of the product takes place by distillation from the reaction mixture and then, after addition of a further equivalent of glycolmonoether to the residue from the product recovery, the reaction of the first and the subsequent steps is repeated.

Abstract: Polytetrahydrofuran vinyl ethers of the general formulaH.sub.2 C.dbd.HC--[)O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --].sub.n O--R Iwhere R is hydrogen or the CH.dbd.CH radical and n is from 2 to 150, are prepared by a process in which polytetrahydrofuran of the general formulaH--[O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --].sub.n OH IIis reacted with acetylene.

Abstract: Cosmetic compositions for cleaning hair, the skin or for removing make-up from the face or from the eyes, containing (a) a foaming surface-active agent, (b) an aqueous, hydroalcoholic or oily carrier and (c) a nonfoaming, nonionic product, poorly soluble in water, of general formula (I):R--O--[C.sub.2 H.sub.3 --CH.sub.2 R.sub.1 --O].sub.p [C.sub.2 H.sub.3 O--CH.sub.2 OH].sub.n H (I)in which R denotes a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl radical, R.sub.1 denotes a C.sub.7 -C.sub.17 alkyl radical or an alkoxy radical containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, R+R.sub.1 containing from 21 to 31 carbon atoms and preferably from 23 to 27, p denotes the exact value of 1 or a statistical mean value of between 1 and 2, and n denotes a statistical mean value of between 2 and 10 and preferably between 2.5 and 7.The presence of the component (c) improves the compatibility of the foaming surface-active agents (a) with the skin and the mucosa.

Abstract: A catalytic process for polymerizing epoxides using active hydrogen initiators forming polyols having low unsaturation levels and high primary hydroxyl levels. The catalysts useful in this process are prepared from catalyst precursors exemplified by hydrotalcite. This process is more reactive with less acidic active hydrogen initiators. The polyols can be used in urethanes without removal of the catalyst.

Abstract: Polyoxylalkylene ether with an average molecular weight of 400 to 10,000 with at least one terminal hydroxyl group and at least one lateral --SO.sub.3 X group (X=hydrogen, alkali metal or ammonium ion) is disclosed. The polyoxyalkylene ether is obtainable byThe statistical or blockwise addition reaction of (a) .alpha.-alkylene oxides with 2 to 14 carbon atoms or mixtures hereof and (b) allyl and/or methallyl glycidyl ethers to monohydric to quadrihydric aliphatic alcohols with up to 8 carbon atoms, the ratio of component (a) to component (b) being selected so that at least one allyl ether group is linked to the average molecule,reacting the polymer by a known reaction with, based on the allyl ether groups, at least equimolar amounts of a compound of the formula HSO.sub.3 Y (Y=alkali or ammonium ion) andif necessary, exchanging the cation Y against a hydrogen ion also by a known procedure.

Abstract: Hydroxyalkyl polyethylene glycol and hydroxyalkyl polypropylene glycol ethers of the formula ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 is a linear C.sub.6 -C.sub.16 alkyl radical, R.sup.2 is a linear or branched, C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 alkyl or alkenyl radical, R.sup.3 is hydrogen or a methyl group, and n is a number of from 0 to 30, and to mixtures of several such compounds. Also, a process for the preparation of these hydroxy ethers, wherein epoxides are reacted with alcohol alkoxylates at an elevated temperature in the presence of a catalyst and in an inert gas atmosphere. The compounds or their mixtures are used as foam inhibiting additives in low-foam cleaning preparations.

Abstract: Etherified polyoxyalkylene derivatives of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.5 -alkenyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 independently of one another are each hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, R.sup.4 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 -alkyl and m and n are identical or different and are each greater than or equal to 0, with the proviso that the sum of m and n is from 3 to 300, are prepared by reacting the corresponding hydroxyl-containing polyoxyalkylene derivative with a dialkyl sulfate in the presence of an alkali metal hydroxide by a process in which the reaction is carried out at from 20.degree. to 60.degree. C. in the presence of an aqueous solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, the concentration of alkali metal hydroxide during the entire duration of the reaction being not less than 35% by weight, based on the aqueous phase, and not less than 1 mole of dialkyl sulfate and not less than one mole of alkali metal hydroxide are used per mole equivalent of organic hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Novel surfactants of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkenyl or aralkyl of 4-18 carbon atoms, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or same as R.sub.1, R.sub.3 is hydrogen or methyl, A is alkylene of 2-4 carbon atoms, and n is 1-200. Sulfates, phosphates and sulfosuccinates thereof are also useful as anionic surfactants.

Abstract: A polyalkylene oxide having unsaturated end groups. The polymer has a distribution of molecular weight Mw/Mn of not more than 1.5, and a process for the same. The polymer is useful as rubber materials, and can provide cured rubber having an excellent elongation.

Abstract: A method for removing double metal cyanide complex catalyst from polyether polyols is disclosed which uses alkali metal compounds and phosphorous compounds to precipitate the residual catalyst, which may then be removed by filtration. In one embodiment, a propylene oxide polyol is treated with sodium metal dispsersion, capped with ethylene oxide, treated with magnesium silicate, and then filtered to remove at least a portion of the catalyst. Substantially complete catalyst removal is then achieved by treating the polyol with hypophosphorous or phosphorous acid to precipitate the remaining solubilized double metal cyanide complex catalyst residue, neutralizing the excess acid with magnesium silicate, and filtering.

Abstract: A process for formation of a base, which comprises reacting an acetylide compound with a salt. The acetylide compound has the following formula:(R--C.tbd.C--).sub.n Mwherein R is a monovalent group selected from the group consisting of an alkyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, an aralkyl group, an aryl group and a heterocyclic group, each of which may have one or more substituent groups; M is an n-valent transition metal atom; and n is 1, 2 or 3. The salt is composed of an anion having an affinity for the transition metal (M) (the affinity of the anion for the transition metal is more than that of the acetylide anion (R--C.tbd.C.crclbar.)), and a cation derived from one selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, ammonia and an organic base. A light-sensitive material containing the acetylide compound and the salt is also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of rapidly curable, non-degradable protective coating compositions containing a divinylether alkene or epoxide having the formula ##STR1## wherein Y is --CH.dbd.CH-- or ##STR2## R is hydrogen or methyl and x and x' are integers each having a value of from 0 to 24, a cross-linkable base resin and a catalytic amount of a cross-linking initiator; to provide a metal or plastic coating which possesses high resistance to solvents and improved flexibility.

Abstract: Novel surfactants of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl, alkenyl, alkylaryl or aralkylaryl of 8-30 carbon atoms,A is alkylene of 2-4 carbon atoms,x is 0, or 1-100 andy is 1-200. Sulfates, phosphates and sulfosuccinates thereof are also useful as anionic surfactants.

Abstract: Polyene aldehydes are made by reaction of a carbonyl compound of formula: ##STR1## in which R denotes a hydrocarbon radical and R' denotes hydrogen or alkyl, with a metal derivative of a halogen compound of formula: ##STR2## in which X denotes halogen (preferably bromine), R.sub.3 is alkyl, and either R.sub.1 denotes hydrogen and R.sub.2 denotes an alkoxy radical indentical with OR.sub.3 or R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 together form a bond, followed by hydrolysis of the product obtained.

Abstract: This invention relates to compounds having the structure ##STR1## wherein M is an alkali metal and n is an integer having a value of from 0 to 12. The invention also relates to the method of preparing said metal derivatives of butenediol and to their catalytic use in vinylation reactions.

Abstract: Polypropylene oxide having unsaturated end groups is prepared by polymerizing alkylene oxide in the presence of a complex catalyst prepared by reacting an organoaluminum compound with a porphyrin compound and an active hydrogen-containing compound and converting at least one hydroxyl end groups into an unsaturated end group(s), the prepared polymer having a narrow distribution of molecular weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to rapidly curable, non-degradable protective coating compositions containing a divinylether alkene having the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl and x and x' are integers each having a value of from 0 to 24, a cross-linkable base resin and a catalytic amount of a cross-linking initiator; and to the preparation and use of the above divinylether alkenes for metal or plastic coatings which possess high resistance to solvents and improved flexibility.

Abstract: Aromatic polyvinylethers and active hydrogen compound reaction products thereof have been found to provide fast heat curable molding compositions when used with various heat activated curing catalysts, for example, diaryliodonium salts in combination with aromatic polyvinylether soluble copper compounds, or dialkylhydroxyarylsulfonium salts in combination with certain organic oxidants.

Abstract: Polyethers of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: R is the residue of a starting active hydrogen compound with removal of the active hydrogen atom, R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl or aryl, R.sub.2 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, R.sub.3 is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 or phenyl, x is 5-100, y is 1-5, and z is 2-8 are less active than those having primary or secondary alcoholic function at terminals.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of water-soluble or water-dispersible polyglycerolated nonionic surface-active agents.This process is characterized by the polyaddition of glycerol chlorohydrin and of a strong base, and preferably sodium or potassium hydroxide in an aqueous solution, to a (poly)hydroxylated compound.This process has the advantage of replacing glycidol, which is usually employed, by glycerol chlorohydrin, which is less costly, easier to store than glycidol, and also of avoiding the flash distillation of a flammable volatile solvent.

Abstract: Liquid biodegradable surfactant having oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups attached to the residue of an alcohol having a minimum iodine value of at least 40 wherein the ratio of oxyethylene groups to oxypropylene groups is at least 4:1, and the total moles of oxyethylene and oxypropylene groups is about 9 to about 10 moles per mole of the alcohol.

Abstract: The invention relates to non-ionic surface-active agents which correspond to the formula ##STR1## in which R denotes a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic radical containing 4 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sub.1 denotes (1) a, preferably linear, alkyl radical, (2) a linear or branched alkoxymethyl radical or (3) an alkenyloxymethyl radical, the alkyl or alkenyl parts of these radicals containing from 4 to 20 carbon atoms,and Z denotes a polyether linkage corresponding to the formula ##STR2## in which n denotes an average statistical value of 2 to 20 and A denotes (a) the group OH,(b) the group ##STR3## in which u denotes 0 or 1, or (c) the group ##STR4## in which u dentoes 0 or 1, the radicals R and R.sub.1 containing a total of 12 to 38 carbon atoms, as well as to the derivatives of the above compounds which result from the reaction of ethylene oxide or glycidol with the OH groups.

Abstract: Polyethers having molecular weights of about 1000 to about 75,000 modified with alpha-olefin oxides having about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms exhibit increased thickening efficiency in aqueous systems. About 1 to about 20 percent by weight based upon the weight of the polyether is required, the proportion of alpha-olefin oxide modifier varying inversely with the molecular weight of the polyether. Modified polyethers, processes for the preparation of thickened aqueous systems, and thickened aqueous compositions are disclosed. The modified polyether thickening agents of the invention are particularly useful for thickening water or water-glycol mixtures which are useful as hydraulic fluids.

Abstract: A novel randomly polymerized polyglycerol, polytrimethylene- or -tetramethylene-oxide condensate of an 8-36 carbon aliphatic alcohol or fatty acid useful as a non-ionic surface active agent.

Abstract: Catalysts comprising mixtures of HF and metal alkoxides and mixed metal alkoxides produce a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials.

Abstract: Allyl methyl ethers are transetherified with alcohols by use of a catalyst of a solid acid that contains no mercury or cuprous salt catalyst.

Abstract: Catalysts producing a sharply peaked alkoxylation distribution during the alkoxylation of organic materials comprise mixtures of BF.sub.3 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, SiF.sub.4 and metal alkyls or metal alkoxides, or mixtures of these catalysts.

Abstract: Catalysts and a method of using said catalysts for the alkoxylation of a variety of materials is disclosed. Catalysts so described produce alkoxylates having a very sharp alkoxylate distribution. The catalysts are supported and unsupported dialkoxy and dialkyl metal fluorides and halides and alkyl metal difluorides and dihalides.

Abstract: There are disclosed non-ionic unsaturated chemical compounds having both hydrophilic and lipophilic components.The hydrophilic component comprises at least two ethylene oxide units and the lipophilic component has a molecular weight of 1000 maximum and comprises an entity selected from eugenol, pentaerythritol triallyl ether and trimethylolpropane diallyl ether.The compounds are useful, for example, as emulsion stabilizers.

Abstract: New perfluorinated vinyl ethers containing a secondary hydrogen atom in the molecule of the formula I ##STR1## in which n is 0-5, preferably 0-3 and particularly 0-2, are useful intermediate products (particularly for the preparation of polymeric intermediates and of perfluorinated cation exchangers containing carboxyl groups) and are prepared by(a) reacting 3-H-perfluorobutyryl fluoride IIFOC--CF.sub.2 --CHF--CF.sub.3 (II)with hexafluoropropene epoxide III ##STR2## to give the acid fluoride IV ##STR3## in which n has the same meaning as in formula I, (b) pyrolyzing the acid fluoride IV, as such or after conversion into the corresponding alkali metal carboxylate, at elevated temperature and(c) isolating the vinyl ether I formed in the pyrolysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to ethoxylates of diacetylene dialcohols as well as the use of these compounds as surfactants.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene ethers of the formulaR.sup.1 O--[C.sub.n H.sub.2n O--].sub.x Min whichR.sup.1 is an alkyl radical with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, an alkylene radical, an aryl radical or an alkaryl radical,M is an alkali cation,n is any number from 2 to 3, andx is a whole number,by the stoichiometric polymerization of alkylene oxides or their mixtures having the general formula C.sub.n H.sub.2n O on alkali alcoholate mixtures, composed of 1 to 20 mole percent of potassium alcoholate and 99 to 80 mole percent of sodium alcoholate. Compared to the use of sodium alcoholate alone, the addition reaction proceeds uniformly at temperatures as low as 80.degree. to 100.degree. C. and the initial delay at the start of the reaction is avoided. Even so, it is possible to keep the isomerization of propylene oxide to allyl alcohol within limits. Products are obtained with a relatively narrow molecular weight distribution and a low double bond content.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of allyl ethers of the formulaR--O--CH.sub.2 --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2).sub.nin which R and n are as defined in claim 1, by reacting hydroxy compounds of the formulaR--OH).sub.nwith allyl chloride or allyl bromide by phase transfer catalysis, 0.8 to 5 mols of allyl chloride or allyl bromide, 1 to 6 mols of aqueous or solid sodium hydroxide and, as the phase transfer catalyst, 2 to 20 mol % of a quaternary ammonium salt, a quaternary ammonium base or a crown ether being employed per hydroxyl equivalent of the compound of the formula II, and the reaction being carried out in the temperature range from 20.degree. to 100.degree. C.

Abstract: Alkyl norbornyl ether sulfonates are prepared by reacting, for example, an allyl alcohol ethoxylate with an alkyl norbornene in the presence of an acid catalyst. The allyl ethers so obtained are subsequently sulfonated. These compounds, which exhibit a high degree of detergency, are useful for solubilizing petroleum sulfonates in oil fluid brine solutions.

Abstract: The invention relates to new polyethylene glycol derivatives.These compounds correspond to the general formula: ##STR1## in which R denotes an alkyl and/or alkoxymethyl and/or alkenyloxymethyl radical or a mixture of these radicals, n denotes an average number of units from 20 to 500 and preferably from 30 to 200, and x and y denote average numbers of units from 0 to 8, it being possible for (x+y) to vary from 1 to 8.They can be used in cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, in particular as thickeners.