Abstract: A process for the preparation of alkanol alkoxylates, useful as nonionic surfactants, comprises steps for alkoxylating one or more alkanols having carbon number in the range from 8 to 18 by reaction with one or more alkylene oxides having carbon number in the range from 2 to 4 under alkaline pH and in the presence of one or more soluble compounds of calcium, and neutralizing the resulting alkoxylation mixture by addition thereto of an acid selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, benzoic acid, and mixtures thereof. The products are characterized by a single liquid phase of low viscosity.

Abstract: Alkanol alkoxylates having utility, for instance, as nonionic surfactants in detergent formulations are prepared by the reaction of C.sub.1 to C.sub.30 alkanols with C.sub.2 to C.sub.4 alkylene oxides in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a co-catalyst combination comprising as a first component one or more soluble, basic compounds of magnesium and as a second component one or more soluble compounds of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, boron, zinc, titanium, silicon, molybdenum, vanadium, gallium, germanium, yttrium, zirconium, niobium, cadmium, indium, tin, antimony, tungsten, hafnium, tantalum, thallium, lead, and bismuth.

Abstract: A terminal --CH.sub.2 OH moiety is selectively cleaved from an alkoxyalkanol at elevated temperatures, in the optional presence of water, over a catalytically effective amount of heterogeneous nickel.