C-12-C-14 fatty alcs. were ethoxylated with oxirane in presence of NaOH or a corn. complex M-x(1)[M-2(CN)(6)]yL (M-1 = Zn2+, Fe2+ or Ni2+, M-2 = Fe3+ or Co3+, L = H2O, F-, Cl-, Br-, aks., glycols, ethers or polyethers) catalyst, to study the reaction kinetics and product properties (hydrophilic-lipophylic balance, chem. compn., PhOH index, cloud point). The complex catalyst was more active and selective than the NaOH catalyst.