PROCESS FOR MAKING ESTERS OF 2-ACETOXYALKANOIC ACIDS USING A 3,6-DIALKYL-1,4-DIOXANE-2,5-DIONE OR POLY-(ALPHA-HYDROXYALKANOIC ACID) AS A STARTING MATERIAL

摘要

2-Acetoxyalkanoic acid esters are made in a reaction of a 3,6-dialkyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione or a poly(α-hydroxyalkanoic acid), an acetate ester and an alcohol or phenol 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.