The synthesis of detergent-range, secondary alcohol alkoxylates via vicinal glycol addition to C-8-C-14 linear alpha-olefins has been demonstrated using both homogeneous, heteropoly acids and solid strong-acid catalysis - acidified montmorillonite clays. 1-Tetradecene reaction with ethylene glycol yields 2-(2-tetradecyloxy) ethanol as the principal glycol ether product. 1,2-Propylene glycol addition to typical linear alpha-olefins (e.g. 1-octene and 1-tetradecene) gives the corresponding secondary alkyl alcohol propoxylates. Both batch and continuous preparations of C-8-C-14 secondary alcohol 1-and 2-alkoxylates are described.