Process for the continuous preparation of esters of lower aliphatic carboxylic acids with lower alcohols

摘要

In the esterification of aliphatic C2-C6-carboxylic acids with aliphatic C1-C4-alcohols, the ester formed is removed by azeotropic distillation together with the water of reaction. After the water of reaction has been separated in a separating condenser, the ester phase is freed, by washing with water, from acid carried over, and water and alcohol are then removed by distilling off a small fraction of the ester. In this way no salt-containing effluents are produced. The ester is obtained in a very good yield, free from acid and alcohol.