Abstract: The invention concerns a improved method for making linear, branched or cyclic C1-C15 alkyl(meth)acrylates, by direct esterification of (meth)acrylic acid with a corresponding alcohol, said reaction being catalyzed by sulfuric acid. The method includes a step of hydrolyzing the neutralizing aqueous flow followed by extraction of the residual (meth)acrylic acid with solvent consisting entirely or partly of the alcohol used in the reaction. The invention enables organic pollution (COD) released in the final aqueous effluents of the process to be reduced, as well as productivity to be increased.

Abstract: 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is manufactured according to a process for the direct esterification of acrylic acid with 2-ethylhexanol catalysed by sulphuric acid, the acrylic acid subjected to the esterification being stabilized by at least one stabilizing agent, the said esterification being followed by the neutralization by a base of the crude reaction mixture (B1) obtained, the resulting salts passing into the aqueous phase (A1) of the said mixture, the organic phase (O1) and the aqueous phase (A1) resulting from this neutralization being separated and the 2-ethylhexyl acrylate being recovered from the organic phase (O1). To suppress the emulsions which appear during the said neutralization, the stabilizer or stabilizers of acrylic acid is/are chosen with the exclusion of hydroquinone, in the absence of which the aqueous phase of the process is stabilized before and/or during the neutralization.

Abstract: Butyl acrylate is prepared by reacting acrylic acid and butanol in a reactor in the presence of an esterification catalyst the water formed being entrained by distillation in a column (2) in the form of a heteroazeotropic mixture with butanol mixture following condensation, being separated in a decanter (3) to give an upper, organic phase which is recycled to the top of the distillation column (2) and a lower, aqueous phase which is drawn off. The reaction is conducted with deferred introduction of part of the butanol at the top of the distillation column (2) or to the decanter (3) or to the reactor (1), the butanol/acrylic acid molar ratio being initially between 0.5 and 1 before rising to between 1 and 1.5 following the completion of the deferred introduction of the butanol.

Abstract: Butyl acrylate is prepared by reacting acrylic acid and butanol in a reactor in the presence of an esterification catalyst the water formed being entrained by distillation in a column (2) in the form of a heteroazeotropic mixture with butanol mixture following condensation, being separated in a decanter (3) to give an upper, organic phase which is recycled to the top of the distillation column (2) and a lower, aqueous phase which is drawn off. The reaction is conducted with deferred introduction of part of the butanol at the top of the distillation column (2) or to the decanter (3) or to the reactor (1), the butanol/acrylic acid molar ratio being initially between 0.5 and 1 before rising to between 1 and 1.5 following the completion of the deferred introduction of the butanol.

Abstract: 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is obtained by esterification of acrylic acid (AA) with 2-ethylhexanol (2-EtHexOH), in the presence of at least one stabilizer for AA, with H2SO4 as catalyst, the crude reaction mixture (B1) obtained comprising the desired acrylate, 2-EtHexOH, AA, 2-ethylhexyl hydrogensulphate (2-EtHexSO4H), traces of H2SO4 and impurities.

Abstract: 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is obtained by esterification of acrylic acid (AA) with 2-ethylhexanol (2-EtHexOH), in the presence of at least one stabilizer for AA, with H2SO4 as catalyst, the crude reaction mixture (B1) obtained comprising the desired acrylate, 2-EtHexOH, AA, 2-ethylhexyl hydrogensulphate (2-EtHexSO4H), traces of H2SO4 and impurities.

Abstract: 2-Ethylhexyl acrylate is manufactured according to a process for the direct esterification of acrylic acid with 2-ethylhexanol catalysed by sulphuric acid, the acrylic acid subjected to the esterification being stabilized by at least one stabilizing agent, the said esterification being followed by the neutralization by a base of the crude reaction mixture (B1) obtained, the resulting salts passing into the aqueous phase (A1) of the said mixture, the organic phase (O1) and the aqueous phase (A1) resulting from this neutralization being separated and the 2-ethylhexyl acrylate being recovered from the organic phase (O1). To suppress the emulsions which appear during the said neutralization, the stabilizer or stabilizers of acrylic acid is/are chosen with the exclusion of hydroquinone, in the absence of which the aqueous phase of the process is stabilized before and/or during the neutralization.

Abstract: An acrylic acid ester is manufactured by reaction of the said acid and an alcohol chosen from C.sub.

Abstract: In this esterification, catalysed by H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, the crude reaction mixture comprising ester, butanol, acrylic acid, BuSO.sub.4 H and traces of H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is obtained; BuSO.sub.4 H is hydrolysed (in R2) to H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 using pure water or water generated during the reaction; after hydrolysis, the medium is separated by settling (in D2) into an organic phase containing ester, butanol and part of the unconverted acid; and an aqueous phase containing H.sub.2 SO.sub.