Patent ID: 6121466
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of a macrocyclic ester of formula (I): ##STR3## comprising, heating the following components:component (a) comprising dicarboxylic acid (bis)glycol esters of the formulae:formula (II) HO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH;formula (III) H{O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO}.sub.x --O--(CH.sub.2)n--OH;formula (IV) H{O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n ----O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--}.sub.x --OH andformula (V) HO--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--{--O--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--CO--(CH.sub.2).sub.m --CO--}.sub.x --OH;component (b) a glycol of formula (VI) HO--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --OH in an amount of from 1 to 50 times the molar amount, based on ester of formula (V) and the dicarboxylic acid units of esters of formulae (III) to (IV); in the presence ofcomponent (c) an inert high-boiling reaction medium in an amount of from 0.1 to 20 times the amount by weight, based on the total weight of esters of formulae (II) to (V); andcomponent (d) a catalyst; at a temperatures of from 150 to 350.degree. C. and at a reduced pressure of from about 0.1 to about 500 mbar, in an evaporator having a large surface area, thus producing said macrocyclic ester (I) by elimination of glycol of formula (VI);distilling off said macrocyclic ester (I) and glycol (VI); andisolating said macrocyclic ester (I) by condensation;where m is an integer from 6 to 14, n is an integer of from 2 to 12, and x is an integer >1; and wherein said high-boiling reaction medium has a boiling point above 400.degree. C.