| 摘要 |
A continuous process for the production of methacrylic acid ester of a C1 to C4 saturated aliphatic alcohol in the presence of a catalyst is disclosed. This process contemplates continuously introducing into a plug-flow reactor a feed stream containing methacrylic acid, a C1 to C4 saturated aliphatic alcohol in stoichiometric exesss relative to the methacrylic acid present, an esterification catalyst, and a liquid organic substance having a volatility no greater than that of methacrylic acid. The feed stream thus introduced into the plug-flow reactor is preferably maintained at substantially atmospheric pressure, while the contained methacrylic acid reactant is held at an esterification temperature and for a time period sufficient to esterify at least a portion of the introduced methacrylic acid. The admixture thus produced is continuously fractionated, preferably in a distillation zone or column, into a vaporized distillate stream and a liquid bottoms stream. The distillate stream has a relatively greater methacrylic acid ester content than the bottoms stream. A portion of the bottoms stream, constituted primarily by the liquid organic substance and the esterification catalyst, is recycled to the reactor while the remainder is purged.
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