Patent ID: 6818791
Filing Date: 2004-11-16
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
A process for the preparation of higher (meth)acrylates comprising:esterifying (meth)acrylic acid with a higher alkanol in the presence of at least one acidic catalyst, at least one polymerization inhibitor and an organic solvent which forms an azeotropic mixture with water and which is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, cycloaliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, heating in a reactor having a distillation unit, which comprises a column and a condenser, to the boiling point of the reaction mixture, wherein the reactor content is circulated via an external evaporator and is heated to the boiling point, and the azeotropic mixture is distilled off, the organic solvent present in the azeotropic mixture forming the solvent reflux, and at least some of the reflux being passed into the circulation between reactor and evaporator.