Continuous production of 2-ethyl-hexyl acrylate free from dioctylether

US4280009A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Heinz Erpenbach · Cologne, DE
• Klaus Guhrmann · Hürth, DE
• Herbert Joest · Hürth, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 14, 1979
• Grant date: Jul 21, 1981
• Expiry date: Aug 14, 1999

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/54
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

2-ethyl-hexylacrylate free from dioctylether is produced continuously by reacting acrylic acid and 2-ethyl-hexanol-(1) in a molar ratio of 1:1 to 1:2 at 85.degree. to 140.degree. C. in the presence of an acid catalyst. More specifically, acrylic acid, 2-ethyl-hexanol-(1) and a sulfuric acid catalyst are continuously introduced into a reaction zone; resulting reaction water is distilled off azeotropically together with 2-ethyl-hexanol-(1) near the head of a first distilling zone being mounted on the reaction zone; the azeotrope is condensed and separated into an alcoholic phase and an aqueous phase; the alcoholic phase is recycled to the head of the first distilling zone and the aqueous phase is removed; reaction mixture maintained for a period of 2 to 8 hours in the reaction zone is conveyed from the reaction zone to a second distilling zone; 2-ethyl-hexanol-(1) in excess is distilled off overhead together with traces of unreacted acrylic acid and the distillate is recycled to the reaction zone; base product obtained in the second distilling zone is delivered to a third distilling zone; pure 2-ethyl-hexylacrylate is distilled off overhead and high-boiling residue is removed from th…