Patent ID: 7115773
Filing Date: 2006-10-03
Classification: C07C

Abstract:
1. A process for the coupled production of ethyl acetate and butyl acetate or ethyl acetate and i-propyl acetate by reacting a mixture of ethanol and butanol or of ethanol and i-propanol with acetic acid and working up the crude ester mixture by distillation, wherein after the water of reaction has been separated off, the crude ester mixture leaving the esterification reactor is fed to a first distillation column, in which a side stream containing the higher-boiling alcohol component is taken off below the feed point of the crude ester and is recycled to the esterification reactor, in which the essentially pure butyl acetate or i-propyl acetate is taken off via bottom of the first distillation column and in which, after water has been separated off, a top take-off is fed to a second distillation column, in which the essentially pure ethyl acetate is taken off via the bottom of the second distillation column and in which, after water has been separated off, the top take-off is recycled to the esterification reactor.