Method for producing a benzoate

A process for the production of a benzoic acid ester, comprising (A) combining a benzoic acid component selected from benzoic acid or a benzoic acid ester with one or more fatty alcohols or hydroxyfatty alcohols containing 6 to 22 carbon atoms, a phosphorus(I) co-catalyst under heating to a temperature of 150 to 190° C., after which 60 to 95% of a tin(II) oxide co-catalyst is added and the mixture heated further under normal pressure until the residual content of the benzoic acid component in the reaction mixture is 5% or less;

• (B) thereafter, adding the remainder of the tin(II) oxide co-catalyst, increasing the temperature, and reducing the pressure until the residual content of the benzoic acid component in the reaction mixture is 1% or less;
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• (C) further reducing the pressure to a high vacuum while maintaining the elevated temperature until an acid value below 0.3 is reached;
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• (D) separating the product benzoic acid ester from the catalysts.