PROCESS FOR PREPARING AN ESTER

摘要

A process for preparing an ester of formula (I): R3CH2- (CR1R2)n-CH2-O-CO-(CR1R2)n-CH2R3 (I) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group, by hydrogenation of a reactant selected from: (a) a lactone of formula (II) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group; (b) an ester of a carboxylic acid of formula (III) R4-O-CO- (CR1R2)n-CO-R3 (III) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 and R4 are a carbon-linked organic group; and c) a carboxylic acid of formula (IV) H-O-CO- (CR1R2)n-CO-R3 (IV) wherein n is 1-3 and R1 and R2 are each, independently, a hydrogen atom or a carbon-linked organic group and R3 is a carbon-linked organic group; which process involves contacting the reactant with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrogenating metal in the presence of hydrogen, wherein the catalyst is a zeolite-free heterogeneous catalyst comprising a hydrogenating metal supported on a metal oxide or a mixed oxide.