NEW MATERIAL: Alkylpolyalkylene glycol ether represented by formula I (A is a polyalkylene oxide chain consisting of 5-18 alkylene oxide residues and contains 0-10 propylene oxide residues per 10 ethylene oxide residues and R is a 8-18C alkyl).
USE: A low foam surfactant, an antifoaming agent, a wool refining agent or a fiber lubricant.
PROCESS: A compd. represented by formula II and/or alkoxide thereof and a compd. represented by formula III (X is a halogen) are reacted in the presence of a base (e.g.; an alkali metal hydroxide and a carbonate) to obtain the compd. represented by the formula I. The compd. represented by the formula II is obtained by reacting alcoholes represented by formula ROH and/or alkoxides thereof with an alkylene oxide.