Method for producing (meth) acrylic acid esters

US6320070A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

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

Key dates

• Filing date: May 25, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 20, 2001
• Expiry date: May 25, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C67/08
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

(Meth)acrylic esters are prepared by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with a C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 -alkanol in the presence of sulfuric acid or a mono-C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 -alkyl sulfate as catalyst, wherein PA1 a) the reaction is carried out in an esterification unit which comprises a first reactor and at least one further reactor, PA1 b) a mixture of (meth)acrylic acid, C.sub.4 -C.sub.12 -alkanol and catalyst which contains not more than 5% by weight of water, based on the sum of the starting materials, is introduced into the first reactor, PA1 c) the esterification in the first reactor is conducted without removing ester, alkanol or water to a (meth)acrylic acid conversion of at least 40%, but only so far that the mixture remains a single phase, and PA1 d) the esterification is continued in at least one further reactor with the water formed being removed by distillation.