PROCEDE DE PREPARATION D'ESTERS GLYCOLIQUES A PARTIR D'ETHYLENEET DE PROPYLENE

摘要

Vicinal esters of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol are prepared by continuously reacting ethylene or propylene with molecular oxygen and monobasic carboxylic acids within an oxidation zone containing a liquid phase reaction medium. Selectivity of this liquid phase reaction is improved, without adverse effect upon reaction rate, by maintaining the concentration of the olefin within the liquid phase reaction medium at a level less than about 0.8 wt. percent.