Authors prepared higher alkyl ethers of pentaerythritol purposing for their utilization as surfaclants. Preparation of three series of the ethers having straight chains of C₃-C₁₆ is reported in this paper.
Monoalkyl ethers (R : C₁₂ and C₁₆) were prepared by acid-catalyzed alcoholysis of 3, 3-bishydroxy-methyloxetane. Trichloropentaerythritol was treated with an excess of sodium alcoholates togive the corresponding 3, 3-bisalkoxymethyloxetanes (V) in high yields. By sulfuric acid-catalyzed hydrolysis of V in dioxane, dialkyl ethers (R : C₄-C₈) were obtained in high yields. Trialkyl ethers (R : C₃-C₆) were also prepared in good yields by alcoholysis of V using a catalytic amount of tin tetrachloride.