What is "ethoxylation"

n. (context organic chemistry English) Treatment or reaction with ethylene oxide

Ethoxylation is a chemical reaction in which ethylene oxide adds to alcohols and phenols. The process converts the group ROH into R(OCH)OH where n ranges from 1 to as high as 10. Such compounds are called alcohol ethoxylates. Alcohol ethoxlates are often converted to related species called ethoxysulfates. Alcohol ethoxylates and ethoxysulfates are surfactants, used widely in cosmetic and other commercial products. The process is of great industrial significance with more than 2,000,000 metric tons various ethoxylates produced worldwide 1994.