(1,2)-Glycol esters from olefin, oxygen and carboxylic acid - with catalyst derived from titanic acid and an alcohol or acid, useful as plasticisers and surfactants

摘要

Prepn. of esters of 1,2-glycols comprises reacting an olefin with O2 and a carboxylic acid in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is a cpd. derived from titanic acid and a low-mol. wt. alcohol and/or carboxylic acid. The catalyst is pref. obtd. by reacting Ti (Hal)4 with an aliphatic mono-or poly-ol and/or a carboxylic acid (anhydride) e.g. of formula Ti (OR)m(OAc)n (where R is 1-20C alkyl, m and n = 1-3 each, and Ac is an acyl gp) or Ti (OR')4 (where R' is 1-20C alkyl). Used as intermediates, solvents, plasticisers and surfactants. The esters are formed with high selectivity and at increased rate, avoiding the use of the normal highly corrosive halogenated catalysts.