Process for the continuous preparation of heavy alkyl acrylates

A process for the continuous synthesis of (meth)acrylic esters of formula (I):

• in which R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R1 is a linear or branched alkyl radical, or a cycloaliphatic, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl radical, including from 4 to 40 carbon atoms, or a linear or branched alkyl radical containing at least one heteroatom and from 3 to 40 carbon atoms, comprising the step of reacting an alkyl (meth)acrylate of formula (II):
• in which R has the abovementioned meaning and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, with an alcohol of formula (III):
• R1—OH (III)
• in the presence of at least one polymerization inhibitor and hydrozincite as heterogeneous catalyst,
• wherein the catalyst content is between 0.01 mol_% and 0.5 mol % relative to the alcohol.