Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for continuously manufacturing an ester-based composition and a manufacturing system therefor, the method improving a manufacturing yield by optimizing process variables of each reactor of a reaction unit in which a plurality of reactors are connected in series.

Abstract: A method of recovering 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) from crude alcohol that includes the 2-ethyl hexanol, 2-ethyl, 3-propyl acrolein (EPA), and 2-ethylhexanal (EHA) is disclosed. The crude alcohol stream is first separated into a first stream of primarily 2-EH, a second stream of primarily EPA and 2-EH collectively, and a third stream of primarily 2-EH and EHA collectively. The second stream and the third stream are combined to form a combined stream. The combined stream is processed further to form a first product stream comprising primarily 2-EH and a second product stream comprising primarily, 2-EH, EHA, and EPA collectively.

Abstract: A method of making alkyl tribenzanoates includes combining a phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent thereof with greater than or equal to 3.5 molar equivalents of a C4-C18 alkyl alcohol, based on the amount of phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent thereof, in the presence of 0.05 to 0.20 mol % of a titanium tetra-alkoxide catalyst, based on the total moles of phenyl tricarboxylic acid or chemical equivalent, at a temperature greater than 210° C. to form a reaction mixture having an acid value less than or equal to 0.5 as determined according to ASTM D1045.

Abstract: A method for enhancing reaction efficiency of a terephthalate plasticizer involves using a homogenizer to fine PTA to slurry having a particle size of 80-110 ?m, and esterifying the PTA slurry with a C6-C10 alcohol in the presence of a titanium-based catalyst. The reactivity is enhanced by more than 37.5%, and the terephthalate plasticizer so synthetized is low-odor and has a purity of more than 99.5% as well as good physical properties such as acid value, color, and index of refraction.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a terephthalic acid di-ester. The process includes contacting terephthalic acid with a C6-C10 alcohol in the presence of an organo-titanium catalyst and an alcohol-amine promoter under conditions effective to form a corresponding terephthalic acid di-ester. The promoter can improve the reaction time by as much as 50%.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic esters by converting a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid anhydride or a mixture thereof with an alcohol in a reaction system comprising one or more reactors, wherein reaction water is distilled as alcohol-water-azeotrope with the vapors, the vapors are at least partially condensed, the condensate is separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and said organic phase is supplied at least partially back into said reaction system. Components boiling lower than the alcohol are at least partially removed from said returned organic phase such as wherein components boiling lower than alcohol are evaporated and/or distilled off. An enrichment in the reaction system of by-products boiling lower than alcohol is avoided. Alcohol losses can be minimized by discharge currents.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for preparing a terephthalic acid di-ester. The process includes contacting terephthalic acid with a C6-C10 alcohol in the presence of an organo-titanium catalyst and an alcohol-amine promoter under conditions effective to form a corresponding terephthalic acid di-ester. The promoter can improve the reaction time by as much as 50%.

Abstract: Embodiments of an invention disclosed herein relate to methods to produce terephthalate esters, the methods include esterifying at least one C6-C13 alcohol with dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) in the presence of a catalyst to produce the terephthalate esters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic esters by converting a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid anhydride or a mixture thereof with an alcohol in a reaction system comprising one or more reactors, wherein reaction water is distilled as alcohol-water-azeotrope with the vapors, the vapors are at least partially condensed, the condensate is separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and said organic phase is supplied at least partially back into said reaction system. Components boiling lower than the alcohol are at least partially removed from said returned organic phase such as wherein components boiling lower than alcohol are evaporated and/or distilled off. An enrichment in the reaction system of by-products boiling lower than alcohol is avoided. Alcohol losses can be minimized by discharge currents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic acid esters by reacting a reaction mixture, comprising a carboxylic acid and/or a carboxylic acid anhydride, and an alcohol in a reaction system having one or more reactors, wherein reaction water is distilled off as an alcohol/water azeotrope with the exhaust vapor. In addition, the reaction mixture is treated with superheated alcohol vapor. The method allows the production of esters having a low acid number.

Abstract: A process for producing esters comprises esterifying an acid or anhydride with an excess of an alcohol to produce a crude ester, recovering excess alcohol from the crude ester and recycling recovered excess alcohol to the esterification reaction together with fresh alcohol. The process is improved by controlling the ratio of the amount of recycled alcohol and the amount of fresh alcohol in dependence on the level of impurities in the recycle alcohol. Further improvements come from feed forwarding fresh alcohol analysis results and from preheating the alcohol before loading into the reactor. Preferably, ester product quality is improved by stripping the alcohol for oxygen removal prior to esterification.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing di(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate (DOTP), which comprises subjecting terephthalic acid and 2-ethylhexanol to esterification in the presence of a chelate catalyst. The method of the present invention increases the reaction rate, improves the filtration efficiency of the ester product and yields DOTP with low APHA.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes to prepare monocarboxylic acid esters (mono- and/or diesters) of polytrimethylene ether glycol that are substantially free of residues from the catalyst used to produce the polytrimethylene ether glycol esters, as well as methods for their preparation and end uses thereof. The esters, such as the bis-2-ethylhexanoate esters, have uses as functional fluids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a raw ester of an esterification reaction catalyzed by a metal-containing esterification catalyst generated by a) mixing the raw ester at a temperature T of more than 100° C. under a pressure p that is equal to or greater than the vapor pressure of water at the temperature T with an aqueous base, b) relaxing the ester-base mixture and evaporating water, c) mixing the obtained fluid phase with water forming a water-in-oil emulsion, d) distilling water out of said emulsion and e) filtering the ester. Said method results in esters having low acid value and residues accrue in easily filterable form in the solid catalyst residues.

Abstract: The efficiency of catalyzed batch esterification reactions is improved by the use of a particular temperature and pressure profile during the reaction cycle. In particular elevated pressure is maintained to prevent alcohol boil off during initial mixing and reaction of the reactants prior to any catalyst addition, and preferably the pressure is reduced rapidly after the desired reaction temperature has been reached.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a process for the production of a C6-C15 alcohol mixture comprising the steps of: hydroformylating an olefin mixture comprising a branched C5-C14 olefin to form a hydroformylation product comprising aldehydes and formate esters, whereby the hydroformylation product has a net cold sap number from 15 to 38 mg KOH/g, and converting the aldehydes and formate esters to alcohols in a hydrogenation step comprising at least one first hydrogenation reactor comprising a fixed bed of a heterogeneous sulphided bimetallic catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclosed herein relate to a process for the production of a C6-C15 alcohol mixture comprising the steps of: hydroformylating an olefin mixture comprising a branched C5-C14 olefin to form a hydroformylation product comprising aldehydes and formate esters, whereby the hydroformylation product has a net cold sap number from 15 to 38 mg KOH/g, and converting the aldehydes and formate esters to alcohols in a hydrogenation step comprising at least one first hydrogenation reactor comprising a fixed bed of a heterogeneous sulphided bimetallic catalyst.

Abstract: Oxo-alcohols in the plasticizer range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticizer ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticizer esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic acid esters by reacting a reaction mixture, comprising a carboxylic acid and/or a carboxylic acid anhydride, and an alcohol in a reaction system having one or more reactors, wherein reaction water is distilled off as an alcohol/water azeotrope with the exhaust vapor. In addition, the reaction mixture is treated with superheated alcohol vapor. The method allows the production of esters having a low acid number.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing carboxylic esters by converting a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic acid anhydride or a mixture thereof with an alcohol in a reaction system comprising one or more reactors, wherein reaction water is distilled as alcohol-water-azeotrope with the vapors, the vapors are at least partially condensed, the condensate is separated into an aqueous phase and an organic phase and said organic phase is supplied at least partially back into said reaction system. Components boiling lower than the alcohol are at least partially removed from said returned organic phase such as wherein components boiling lower than alcohol are evaporated and/or distilled off. An enrichment in the reaction system of by-products boiling lower than alcohol is avoided. Alcohol losses can be minimized by discharge currents.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the production of phthalic acid diesters are described herein. The methods and systems incorporate the novel use of a high shear device to promote dispersion and mixing of a phthalic acid derivative with alcohol. The high shear device may allow for lower reaction temperatures and pressures and may also reduce reaction time with existing catalysts.

Abstract: Oxo-alcohols in the plasticiser range typically contain small amounts of methyl esters having the same alkyl chain as the alcohol itself. These methyl esters are causing product quality problems and environmental problems because of transesterification in the esterification process where the plasticiser ester derivatives are produced. A process using controlled oxonation and hydrogenation conditions is disclosed for the production of alcohols containing low amounts of methyl esters. Plasticiser esters with low amounts of aliphatic di-alkyl esters are also disclosed.

Abstract: Supported heterogeneous organotin catalysts of the formula X1, X2, or X3: wherein Z is a spacer group; Y is an insoluble phenyl-group containing copolymer; R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, aralkyl, and Z; and R4 is alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, or aralkyl.

Abstract: Supported heterogeneous organotin catalysts of the formula X1, X2, or X3: wherein Z is a spacer group; Y is an insoluble phenyl-group containing copolymer; R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, aralkyl, and Z; and R4 is alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, or aralkyl.

Abstract: Supported heterogeneous organotin catalysts of the formula X1, X2, or X3: wherein Z is a spacer group; Y is an insoluble phenyl-group containing copolymer; R1, R2, R3, R5, and R6 are independently selected from halogen, alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, aralkyl, and Z; and R4 is alkyl, alkylene, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, naphthyl, or aralkyl.

Abstract: The efficiency of catalysed batch esterification reactions is improved by the use of a particular temperature and pressure profile during the reaction cycle. In particular elevated pressure is maintained to prevent alcohol boil off during initial mixing and reaction of the reactants prior to any catalyst addition, and preferably the pressure is reduced rapidly after the desired reaction temperature has been reached.

Abstract: A process for producing esters comprises esterifying an acid or anhydride with an excess of an alcohol to produce a crude ester, recovering excess alcohol from the crude ester and recycling recovered excess alcohol to the esterification reaction together with fresh alcohol. The process is improved by controlling the ratio of the amount of recycled alcohol and the amount of fresh alcohol in dependence on the level of impurities in the recycle alcohol. Further improvements come from feed forwarding fresh alcohol analysis results and from preheating the alcohol before loading into the reactor. Preferably, ester product quality is improved by stripping the alcohol for oxygen removal prior to esterification.

Abstract: A pyridine-free esterification reagent for anhydride method to determine the hydroxyl number of polyols is provided. The reagent includes an anhydride, an oxometallic complex having a formula of MOmLn, and a neutral or slightly acidic solvent, wherein M includes transition metals of IVB, VB, or VIB group, L includes (OTf), X, and m and n are an integer greater than or equal to 1, wherein X is halogen, and R, R?, R?, and R??, independently, are alkyl, aryl, or heterocyclic groups containing nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, or sulfur heteroatoms. The invention also provides a method to determine the hydroxyl number of polyols.

Abstract: The compound, bicyclo[4.3.0]nonane-3(4),7(8)-dicarboxylic acid and to a process for its preparation, wherein bicyclo[4.3.0]nona-3,7-diene is reacted with synthesis gas in an homogeneous organic phase in the presence of transition metal compounds of Group VIII of the Periodic Table containing complex-bound organophosphorus compounds, and of excess organophosphorus compound, at temperatures of 70 to 160° C. and pressures of 5 to 35 MPa, and the 3(4),7(8)-bisformylbicyclo[4.3.0]nonane thus obtained is oxidized, or is first hydrogenated to 3(4),7(8)-dihydroxymethylbicyclo[4.3.0]nonane and the diol thus obtained is reacted in an alkali melt.

Abstract: A method for preparing tetrabromobenzoate ester from a tetrabromophthalic anhydride including the steps of reacting the tetrabromophthalic anhydride with a catalyst and an alcohol at a temperature that favors partial esterification over complete esterification of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride to form a tetrabromophthalate half-ester reaction mixture; and feeding the half-ester reaction mixture to at least one reactor having and maintaining a temperature that favors decarboxylation over esterification to produce a tetrabromobenzoate ester-containing product. The temperature favoring partial esterification of the tetrabromophthalic anhydride is between about 70° C. and 130° C. The temperature favoring decarboxylation over esterification is between about 190° C. and 205° C. The tetrabromobenzoate ester-containing product comprises at least about 85% tetrabromobenzoate ester. The at least one reactor may include two or more reactors connected to one another in series.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the preparation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate by the esterification of terephthalic acid with 2-ethylhexanol at elevated temperature and pressure while the water of reaction is removed from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: Catalyst for the asymmetric (transfer) hydrogenation represented by the formula MLaXbSc, where M is a transition metal, to be chosen from rhodium and ruthenium, and X is a counter ion and S is a ligand, a ranges from 0.5 to 3 and b and c, each independently, range from 0 to 2, and L is a chiral ligand having the formula (1), where Cn together with the two 2 O-atoms and the P-atom forms a substituted or non-substituted ring with 2-4 C-atoms, R1 and R2 each independently represent H, an optionally substituted alkyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group or may form a (heterocyclic) ring together with the N-atom to which they are bound. And a process for the asymmetric (transfer) hydrogenation of an olefinically unsaturated compound, ketone, imine or oxime derivate in the presence of a hydrogen donor and of a catalyst, use being made of a catalyst represented by formula MLaXbSc, where M is a transition metal, to be chosen from rhodium, iridium and ruthenium, X is a counter ion, S is a ligand, a ranges from 0.

Abstract: A highly flame retardant plasticized polyvinyl chloride compound (PVC) comprises a mixture of dialkyl tetrachlorophthalate and dialkyl tetrabromophthalate and is characterized by an absence of brittleness, and substantial flexibility at low temperatures as required for PVC formed jackets and insulation for wire and cable products.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method for producing ester plasticizers by reacting di- or polycarboxylic acids or their anhydrides with alcohols in the presence of metal catalysts.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production and purification of dialkyl naphthalenedicarboxylate compounds wherein a crude naphthalenediacarboxylic acid is esterified with an alkanol such as methanol to produce a crude esterification product comprising dialkyl naphthalenedicarboxylate, starting materials and other compounds and the crude esterification product is purified by flash distillation to remove impurities which can cause fouling of conventional distillation equipment. A particularly useful diester is dimethyl 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate.

Abstract: The process for preparing polyethylene naphthalate according to the invention is intended to obtain polyethylene naphthalate having a low impurity content from naphthalenedicarboxylic acid containing impurities.

Abstract: Methods for reducing the fouling of process equipment used in the manufacture of aromatic compounds such as dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate are disclosed. The methods require treating manufacturing process streams with a metal complexing agent. Novel compositions useful in the manufacture of aromatic materials such as dimethyl-2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylate also are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing carboxylic acid esters by the following steps:a) preparation of a reaction mixture containing an alcohol and a carboxylic acid and/or a carboxylic anhydride and/or a carboxylic acid ester and or a partially esterified carboxylic acid,b) heating of this mixture to the suitable reaction temperature in the presence of a solid polysiloxane insoluble in the reaction medium and having sulphonic acid groups with intensive thorough mixing accompanied by continuous separation of the reaction water which forms, wherein the polysiloxane used as the catalyst in modified by treatment with a soluble aluminum, titanium or zirconium compound, and the spherical particles thereof have a diameter of 0.01 to 3 mm, a specific surface of 0.1 to 1200 m.sup.2 /g, a specific pore volume of 0.01 to 6.0 ml/g and a bulk density of 50 to 1000 g/l.

Abstract: Provided is a process for producing a plasticizer ester characterized by previously removing dissolved oxygen in a starting alcohol, and then subjecting an organic acid or its anhydride and the alcohol to an esterification reaction in the presence of an organic metal compound catalyst, which process can substantially reduce formation of coloring impurities and can easily provide a plasticizer ester having a low degree of coloring.Further, a plasticizer ester having a high volume resistivity can easily be obtained by adding an alkaline aqueous solution to a reaction product obtained by an esterification reaction to conduct neutralization of an unreacted acid and hydrolysis of the catalyst, further blowing a carbon dioxide gas to convert the residual alkali into a carbonate, recovering an excess alcohol, and then conducting purification through finefiltration using a filter aid or further in combination with adsorption treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparation of an ester comprising reacting a carboxylic acid and an alcohol in the presence of an esterific catalyst comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of halides, nitrates, carboxylates, alcoholates and acetylacetone complexes of metals of the titanium group. According to the present process, substantially equal equivalent of the alcohol and the acid can be reacted completely. In addition, the present invention further provides a purification process to eliminate the catalyst from homogeneous reaction system completely.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of dialkyl tetrahalophthalates. A tetrahalophthalic anhydride or acid is dissolved in excess C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 alkanols. Residual sulfuric acid is removed by treatment with magnesium acetate or multiple water washes. The mass is esterified with a tetraalkyl titanate, and residual acidic components are removed by treatment with magnesium silicate. These treatments improve processability, production cycle time, product color, clarity and purity.

Abstract: An improved process for the esterification of carboxylic acid and alcohols into carboxylic ester is disclosed. It comprises the steps of: (a) charging the esterification reactants into a fixed bed reactor under a predetermined reaction condition; and (b) reacting the esterification reactants in the fixed bed reactor. The fixed bed reactor contains acidic catalysts that are present in a solid phase, and the reaction condition is controlled such that (i) the reactants and the products co-exist in a gas-liquid two-phase equilibrium in the fixed bed reactor and that (ii) at least one component of the reactants is present in one phase and at least one component of the products is present in another phase. Because a phase change is always taking place concurrently with the esterification reaction; the reaction stream is maintained at a relatively uniform temperature.

Abstract: A transesterification process for making allyl esters of aromatic carboxylic acids from the corresponding alkyl esters and allylic alcohols is disclosed. The alkyl ester/allylic alcohol mixture is dried by distillation to less than about 200 ppm water before heating it in the presence of the transesterification catalyst. The resulting allyl ester is obtained rapidly in high yield with a minimal level of catalyst. In addition, product isolation is simple, and color is exceptionally low. The process is particularly valuable for making diallyl phthalate from dialkyl esters of phthalic acid.

Abstract: A process for working up, by methanolysis, a residue fraction resulting from raw ester distillation in a DMT process is provided, the process involving:admixing the residue fraction with liquid or gaseous methanol, or both to give a reaction mixture;providing the reaction mixture to a reactor, wherein, prior to entry into the reactor, the reaction mixture is at a temperature of from 230.degree. to 265.degree. C.; andmethanolysing the reaction mixture in the reactor, wherein a bottom portion of the reactor is maintained at a temperature of from 230.degree. to 265.degree. C.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an esterification process comprising a catalyst source of stannous tin and an alkali metal aluminate. In one preferred embodiment the catalyst comprises about 92 parts sand, about 5 parts stannous oxalate, and about 3 parts of a sodium aluminate, by weight, dry basis. This catalyst is particularly useful in making phthalates, adipates, sebacates and azelates which esters are chiefly used plasticizers.

Abstract: A process for the formation of esters from at least one phthalic anhydride residue stream produced from the vapor phase oxidation of o-xylene, naphthalene and/or the like which comprises: (a) adding a phthalic anhydride residue stream and a mono-alcohol to a reaction vessel to form a reaction mixture; and (b) heating the reaction mixture and maintaining a pressure sufficient to obtain boiling of the reaction mixture thereby converting any acid and/or anhydride components of the phthalic anhydride residue stream to an ester.

Abstract: A process for the esterification of acids or anhydrides with alcohols or a polyhydroxy compound wherein the lower boiling point reactant is added to the reaction vessel in stages such that it is present in an amount of at least about 5% of the stoichiometric requirements of the total lower boiling point reactant required to react with the limiting reagent, and wherein the concentration of the lower boiling point reactant is monitored so that additional reactant having the lower boiling point can be subsequently added in stages to the reaction mixture in order to maintain a certain predetermined concentration of the lower boiling point reactant.

Abstract: A liquid phase esterification process is described wherein the esterification catalyst is a titanium zeolite.

Abstract: An industrial process for producing O,O'-diacyltartaric anhydride with high purity and high efficiency is disclosed. According to the process of the invention, a carboxylic acid of the formula (I):R.sup.1 COOH (I)(wherein R.sup.1 represents C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl group; phenyl group; or phenyl group substituted with 1-5 C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl groups or with 1-5 halogen atoms) is reacted with tartaric acid in the presence of a chlorinating agent.

Abstract: A process for the titanate catalyzed preparation of plasticizers from polycarboxylic acids and alcohols which minimizes waste water and is energy efficient. The reaction product is treated with aqueous caustic and is then filtered using an absorbent medium which removes titanium, caustic, acid salts and water. The need for water washing is obviated, and the final plasticizer product has excellent properties.