METHOD FOR PRODUCING ?-HYDROXYCARBOXYLIC ACID ESTER

摘要

Provided is a method for producing an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester from an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid amide and an aliphatic alcohol, which is an industrially efficient production method in that the production cost is controlled while the conversion rate and selectivity are increased. Specifically, by means of the method for producing an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid ester, an a-hydroxycarboxylic acid amide and an aliphatic alcohol are subjected to gas-phase reaction in the presence of a zirconium oxide catalyst. It should be noted that the catalyst life is improved considerably by using a zirconium oxide catalyst containing specific elements.