METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION OF 2-OCTYL ACRYLATE BY MEANS OF TRANSESTERIFICATION

摘要

The invention relates to the production of 2-octylacrylate of high purity and in good yield using ethyl titanate in solution in 2-octanol or 2-octyl titanate as a transesterification catalyst.

主权项

1. A process for the continuous production of 2-octyl acrylate by a transesterification reaction between a light alcohol acrylate and 2-octanol using an alkyl titanate as transesterification catalyst and at least one polymerization inhibitor, an azeotropic mixture comprising light alcohol acrylate and of light alcohol generated by the transesterification reaction being withdrawn continuously during the reaction, a crude reaction mixture being subjected to a purification treatment comprising at least two distillation columns, in order to obtain, on the one hand, substantially pure 2-octyl acrylate, and, on the other hand, unreacted 2-octanol and light alcohol acrylate compounds and also the catalyst all for recycle, wherein the process further comprises the steps of:
(i) choosing the catalyst from the group consisting of ethyl titanate in solution in 2-octanol and 2-octyl titanate; (ii) sending to a first distillation column (C1) having a top and a bottom and under reduced pressure, the crude reaction mixture comprising 2-octyl acrylate with, as light products, the unreacted 2-octanol and light alcohol acrylate and, as heavy products, the catalyst, the polymerization inhibitor and heavy reaction products, for distillation in said first column (C1), to obtain
at the top, a top stream consisting essentially of 2-octyl acrylate and light products, including a minor fraction of polymerization inhibitors but substantially devoid of catalyst, andat the bottom, a stream of heavy reaction products with the catalyst, the polymerization inhibitor and a minor fraction of 2-octyl acrylate, said stream being recycled to the reaction stage; then (iii) separating by distillation of the top stream from the first distillation column (C1), the unreacted 2-octanol and light alcohol acrylate compounds, a fraction comprising polymerization inhibitors and substantially pure 2-octyl acrylate; (iv) recovering substantially pure 2-octyl acrylate; (v) recycling unreacted 2-octanol and light alcohol acrylate compounds to the reaction; (vi) sending a fraction comprising polymerization inhibitors to the column (C1) for separation of the catalyst.