Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of an ester obtained from a reaction between at least one alcohol having at least one hydroxyl group, such as a diol, and at least one linear of branched C3-C20 monocarboxylic acid, said reaction being performed in presence of at least one azeotropic solvent and optionally at least one antioxidant. Said method comprises the steps of (a) charging said alcohol, said monocarboxylic acid, and said azeotropic solvent and optionally said antioxidant to a reactor, (b) subjecting said alcohol and said carboxylic acid to esterification under reflux, (c) removing azeotropic solvent and unreacted carboxylic acid from yielded reaction mixture, (d) steam stripping off residual unreacted carboxylic acid, (e) neutralising yielded reaction product with an aqueous base, (f) separating water and organic phases, (g) recovering said organic phase and evaporating residual water, and (h) filtering off said antioxidant and possible remaining salts in yielded reaction product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for production of an ester obtained from a reaction between at least one alcohol having at least one hydroxyl group, such as a diol, and at least one linear of branched C3-C20 monocarboxylic acid, said reaction being performed in presence of at least one azeotropic solvent and optionally at least one antioxidant. Said method comprises the steps of (a) charging said alcohol, said monocarboxylic acid, and said azeotropic solvent and optionally said antioxidant to a reactor, (b) subjecting said alcohol and said carboxylic acid to esterification under reflux, (c) removing azeotropic solvent and unreacted carboxylic acid from yielded reaction mixture, (d) steam stripping off residual unreacted carboxylic acid, (e) neutralising yielded reaction product with an aqueous base, (f) separating water and organic phases, (g) recovering said organic phase and evaporating residual water, and (h) filtering off said antioxidant and possible remaining salts in yielded reaction product.