PREPARATION OF CARBOXYLIC ACID ESTERS OF ALKYLENE GLYCOL MONOALKYL ETHERS

摘要

An improved method for the preparation of monocarboxylic acid esters of alkylene glycol monoalkyl ethers by the acid catalyzed esterification of the alkylene glykol monoalkyl ether with a carboxylic acid employing azeotropic distillation of water produced by or added to the reaction with an inert water-azeotroping solvent with reflux of the solvent phase and reflux of the water phase to control column overhead temperatures and greatly reduce loss of reactants giving high conversion and selectivity of product. The process is especially suitable for the preparation of propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate.