Patent ID: 6506930
Filing Date: 2003-01-14
Classification: C07C,Y02P

Abstract:
A process comprising:(A) charging a reactor with a C1-C4 alcohol; a (meth)acrylic acid; a strong acid catalyst selected from the group consisting of sulfuric acid, alkyl sulfonic acid and polymer supported alkyl sulfonic acid; at least one inhibitor selected from the group consisting of 2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-1-piperidinyloxy, 4-methacryloyloxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinyl free radical and 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl N-hydroxy piperidine; and at least 5% by weight water to form a reaction mixture; (B) reacting the reaction mixture to form a C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate and process impurities, wherein the process impurities are hydrolyzed in said reactor; and (C) separating the C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate and water formed during the reaction from the reaction mixture.