Esterification of (meth)acrylic acid with an alkanol

US5767306A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Heinrich Aichinger · Mannheim, DE
• Michael Fried · Heidelberg, DE
• Gerhard Nestler · Ludwigshafen, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 23, 1996
• Grant date: Jun 16, 1998
• Expiry date: Aug 23, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/60
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

In a process for esterifying (meth)acrylic acid with an alkanol in the presence of an esterification catalyst, in which unconverted starting compounds and the (meth)acrylate to be formed are separated off by distillation and an oxyester-containing bottom product is formed, the bottom product is first separated off, the oxyesters contained therein are then separated off by distillation and the resulting distillate is cleaved in the presence of acids at elevated temperatures. The process can be carried out in the presence of molecular oxygen. The distillate is cleaved at from 170.degree. to 250.degree. C., preferably from 180.degree. to 230.degree. C.