Verfahren zur Herstellung von Estern hochsiedender Carbonsäure

摘要

Prodn. of esters of carboxylic acids of formula R-(CH2)n-COOH (in which n is 0 or 1; and R is COOH, OCH3 or CN) comprising reacting these acids with 1-4C alcohols in presence of an auxiliary liquid is improved in that at the beginning of the reaction the alcohol is present in a substoichiometric amt. (so that it is dissolved in water in a small amt. only), and only later is the alcohol added so that its amt. ultimately exceeds stoichiometric proportions; the auxiliary liquid forming a low-boiling ternary azeotrope with water and alcohol to toluene (pref.) or a xylene(s); the vapours are directly condensed (with rectification) and the phase sepn. is carried out at 40-80 degrees C, pref. 50-65 degrees C.