Method for producing α-hydroxycarboxylate
US7122698B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 8, 2003 |
| Grant date | Oct 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC07C67/40
- WIPO fieldOrganic fine chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides a process for more efficiently producing an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester wherein side reactions due to the α-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester are inhibited or prevented in comparison with prior art production processes.The invention provides a process for producing an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester comprising Steps 1 to 3:Step 1. reacting, in the presence of oxygen, (i) a 1,2-diol with a 1,2-diol or (ii) a 1,2-diol with an alcohol to obtain a reaction product containing an α-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester;Step 2. separating the α-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester from the reaction product obtained in Step 1 by distillation under reduced pressure; andStep 3. feeding Step 1 with a mixture obtained by partially or entirely removing water from the reaction product, wherein the mixture contains an unreacted 1,2-diol and/or alcohol.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.