| 摘要 |
<p>Provided is a process for the production of esters through transesterification in which the transesterification can proceeds under an approximately ordinary pressure and be completed in a short reaction time. It has been found that transesterification of a starting ester with an alcohol can proceed by the contact of the starting ester and the alcohol with a catalyst containing (A) amorphous zirconium oxide and (B) an oxide of a group III element, an oxide of a group V element and/or an oxide of a group IV element except zirconium and hafnium. In this case, it is preferable that a starting ester in a liquid state and an alcohol in a gaseous phase be brought into contact with a catalyst containing the components (A) and (B), while the starting ester be an oil and/or a fat and the alcohol be methanol or ethanol. The oxide of a group IV element except zirconium and hafnium is preferably an oxide of titanium, silicon, germanium, tin, or the like.</p> |
