Process for the preparation of hydroxy 4-methyl thiobutyric acid esters

摘要

A process, for the preparation of an ester of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid which is substantially in the monomeric form, which process, being capable of industrial application and which comprises reacting 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid with an alcohol in the presence of water and an acid catalyst at a temperature of from 30 to 150° C. wherein the acid is the direct product of the hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyronitrile.