α-Polyoxyethylene alkylphosphonates were prepared according to the following process :
III (R : C1 'C12, R' : C1 'C11)
In the reaction I, Et₃N or CH₃ONa was used as a catalyst, and the reaction rate was greater for the case of CH3ONa. In the reaction with acetaldehyde the yield was poor because of the low reaction temperature. The reactivities of dioctyl- and dilauryl phosphate to aldehyde were very low, and then α-hydroxyalkyl phosphonate was not obtained.
Addition reactions of EO to α-hydroxyalkyl phosphonates were carried out at 100°C with BF₃OEt₂ as a catalyst.
Surface tensions of aqueous solutions of α-polyoxyethylene alkylphosphonates were 3037 dyne/cm. These surfactants were relatively stable in the neutral and acidic solution.