PROCESS FOR MAKING ESTERS OF 2-ACETOXYALKANOIC ACIDS USING AN ALPHA-HYDROXYALKANOIC ACID ESTER AND AN ACETATE ESTER AS STARTING MATERIALS

摘要

2-Acetoxyalkanoic acid esters are made in a reaction of an α-hydroxyalkanoic acid ester and an acetate ester in the presence of a transesterification catalyst. Unlike previous methods for making 2-acetoxyalkanoic acid esters, this process proceeds in high yield and high selectivity to the desired product.

主权项

1. A process for making a 2-acetoxyalkanoic acid ester comprising heating a mixture of an α-hydroxyalkanoic acid ester and at least one mole of an alkyl acetate ester per mole of the α-hydroxyalkanoic acid ester in a reaction vessel to a temperature of at least 150° C. under superatmospheric pressure in the presence of a transesterification catalyst to convert at least a portion of the α-hydroxyalkanoic acid ester and alkyl acetate ester to a 2-acetoxyalkanoic acid ester and at least one alkanol or phenolic compound, wherein the water content in the reaction vessel during the reaction is maintained at below 0.15% by weight.