PURPOSE: The reaction between a lower monohydric alcohol and propylene oxide is conducted at a specified feed ratio using a tertiary amine boiling at a specific temperature as a catalyst and the tertiary amine recovered in the distillation system is recycled, thus producing an alkoxypropanol in high yield.

CONSTITUTION: The reaction between 2W6mol of lower nomohydric alcohol and 1mol of propylene oxide is carried out in the presence of a tertiary amine boiling at a lower temperature than the boiling point of the product at 60W130°C and 1W 20kg/cm2G and the distillation is conducted by a usual method to produced the purified objective compound. The column top fraction containing the tertiary amine is recycled to the reaction system.

EFFECT: Mild reaction conditions can be selected and the facilities are corrosion-free. Further, relatively simple operations of distillation readily give the high-purity objective compound.

USE: Solvent for coating and ink, brake oil, dyeing coupler for woven fabrics.