the glycol monoalkyl ethers. Dimethyl glycols such as dimethyl
glycol (Glyme@) and dimethyl diglycol (Diglyme@) are the most
important members of this group.
Ethylene glycol dialkyl ethers, exemplified by the dimethyl
ether, are generally manufactured in two steps. First, the
monomethyl ether is converted into the alcoholate by NaOH ;
the water of reaction is removed by distillation:
In the second step, the sodium alcoholate is etherified with an
alkyl chloride (usually methyl chloride) or dimethyl sulfate: