Transesterification catalyst
AssigneeRohm and Haas Company
InventorsJeremia J. Venter, Christine McDade
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Abstract
A process is described for preparing carboxylic acid esters via transestierification using a new heterogeneous, transition-metal transesterification catalyst of enhanced activity. The catalyst is prepared by an improved method of reacting a metal alkoxide to form an active species and absorbing the metal containing species onto a support. The method requires the controlled hydrolysis of a transition metal alkoxide to prepare an oligomer, which is then absorbed onto a hydroxylic support.
Claims9
A process for the batch, continuous or semicontinuous preparation of carboxylic acid esters by ester interchange of a carboxylic acid ester with another carboxylic acid ester, an alcohol, or a carboxylic acid comprising heating the reactants at a temperature of between 50.degree. C. and 200.degree. C. in the presence of a supported transition metal transesterification catalyst prepared by:
- a. preforming an oligomer by reacting water with a transition metal alkoxide of the general formula:
- M(OR).sub.n Q.sub.m
- wherein M is a transition metal;
- OR is an alkoxy radical wherein R is an alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 2 to the valence number of the transition metal M;
- Q is a group with valence number r which will not react with hydroxyl groups of the support, the alkoxide radical OR, or the alcohol ROH formed therefrom;
- and m is an integer such that n+rm equals the valence number of the transition metal M;
- b. mixing a solution of the oligomer in an inert solvent with a solid substrate having a plurality of surface hydroxyl groups.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.