Antifoaming Properties of Glycols Derived from 1-Olefin Dimers

Abstract

Antifoaming properties of new branched 1, 2 -glycols were observed for three foaming systems containing anionic, cationic or nonionic surfactants as foaming agents. The olefin dimers were prepared from C5-C12 1-olefins in the presence of triethylaluminum, and the resulting 2-alkylolefins were hydroxylated with performic acid and strong base to prepare new glycols : 2-propylheptane-1, 2-diol (10 D), 2-butyloctane-1, 2-diol (12 D), 2-hexyldecane-1, 2-diol (16 D), 2-octyldodecane-1, 2-diol (20 D) and 2-decyltetradecane-1, 2-dial (24 D). For the aqueous solution of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, benzylhexadecyldimethylammonium chloride or p-nonylphenyl poly (oxyethylene) ether (n=15) as foaming agents, the antifoaming powers of these glycols were evaluated by the Ross and Miles method. The results were expressed as immediate reading of foam height and reading of foam height after 5 min as a function of concentration of glycols (Fig.-16). Glycols showed their excellent foam inhibiting properties, especially 20 D. The antifoaming powers of the new glycols decreased in the order of 20 D>24 D>12 D>10 D>16 D.