Process for the preparation of thioglycolic acid alkyl esters

US5714629A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Merck Patent GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Alexandra Schneider · Heustreu, DE
• Gerhard Cimbollek · Seeheim-Jugenheim, DE
• Bernd Muller · Flintbek, DE
• Ulrich Heywang · Darmstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 18, 1995
• Grant date: Feb 3, 1998
• Expiry date: Dec 18, 2015

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C319/28
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

The invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of thioglycolic acid alkyl esters by heating a reaction mixture which essentially comprises thioglycolic acid, an alcohol and an acid catalyst, the water formed being removed by distillation using a water separator, in which the resulting product mixture is passed over a basic ion exchanger, if appropriate after removal of the acid catalyst.