Process for the preparation of cyclic esters

US6107496A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Huels Aktiengesellschaft · DE

Inventors

• Clemens Osterholt · Dorsten, DE
• Josef Metz · Neuss, DE
• Guenther Koehler · Marl, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 3, 1999
• Grant date: Aug 22, 2000
• Expiry date: Mar 3, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P20/582
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the preparation of cyclic esters of the general formula: ##STR1## in which m is an integer from 6-14 and n is an integer from 2-6, which comprises heating a dicarboxylic acid bis(glycol) ester of the general formula: EQU HO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH, formula II in which m and n are as defined above, PA1 (b) optionally, up to 100% by weight, based on the weight of ester II, of esters of the general formula: EQU H[O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--].sub.x --O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH, formula III EQU H[O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m CO--]X--OH and/orformula IV EQU HO--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--[--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--].sub.x --OH, formula V in which m and n are as defined previously and x is an integer >1, and PA1 (c) a glycol of the general formula: EQU HO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH, formula VI in which n has the same numerical value as in formula I-V, PA1 (d) an inert high-boiling reaction medium, and PA1 (e) a catalyst.