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: A process is described for preparing esters of an acid component selected from among polybasic C4-C10 carboxylic acids and an alcohol component selected from among C3-C12 alkanols or from among C3-C12 alkanediols, the alkyl chain of which may have interruption by from 1 to 3 oxygen atoms, by a) heating at boiling point, in a reaction zone and in the presence of an esterification catalyst, a mixture essentially consisting of the acid component or of an anhydride thereof and of the alcohol component, b) using rectification to separate the vapor comprising alcohol and water into an alcohol-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction, and c) returning the alcohol-rich fraction into the reaction zone and conducting the water-rich fraction out of the process. The process is simple to carry out and permits rapid achievement of essentially quantitative conversion.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing mixtures of diesters of phthalic acid with decanols and tridecanols by reacting phthalic acid or a reactive derivative of phthalic acid with a mixture made from at least one decanol and at least one tridecanol. Mixtures obtainable in this way are also described, as is their use as plasticizers for molding compositions, and also mixtures of isomeric tridecanols suitable for preparing the mixtures of diesters.

Abstract: Process for removal of the esterification catalyst by separation from a crude plasticizer ester obtained by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with C8–C13 alcohols, by treating the crude ester with an aqueous alkali solution in the range from 10 to 100° C. and then separating the aqueous alkaline phase comprising the hydrolyzed esterification catalyst by gravitational phase separation, by treating the crude ester, prior to or during the phase separation, with a salt of a di- or polyvalent metal, or with a mixture of these salts.

Abstract: Process for removal of the esterification catalyst by separation from a crude plasticizer ester obtained by reacting a dicarboxylic acid with C8-C13 alcohols, by treating the crude ester with an aqueous alkali solution in the range from 10 to 100° C. and then separating the aqueous alkaline phase comprising the hydrolyzed esterification catalyst by gravitational phase separation, by treating the crude ester, prior to or during the phase separation, with a salt of a di- or polyvalent metal, or with a mixture of these salts.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing esters of an acid component selected from among polybasic C4-C10 carboxylic acids and an alcohol component selected from among C3-C12 alkanols or from among C3-C12 alkanediols, the alkyl chain of which may have interruption by from 1 to 3 oxygen atoms, by a) heating at boiling point, in a reaction zone and in the presence of an esterification catalyst, a mixture essentially consisting of the acid component or of an anhydride thereof and of the alcohol component, b) using rectification to separate the vapor comprising alcohol and water into an alcohol-rich fraction and a water-rich fraction, and c) returning the alcohol-rich fraction into the reaction zone and conducting the water-rich fraction out of the process. The process is simple to carry out and permits rapid achievement of essentially quantitative conversion.

Abstract: A process is described for preparing mixtures of diesters of phthalic acid with decanols and tridecanols by reacting phthalic acid or a reactive derivative of phthalic acid with a mixture made from at least one decanol and at least one tridecanol.