Process for the improved production of (meth)acrylic acid esters of polyhydric alcohols (I)

A process for the production of a polyfunctional ester of (meth)acrylic acid comprising the steps of

• a) forming a reaction mixture liquid at room temperature containing
• i) a (meth)acrylic acid,
• ii) a polyhydric alcohol,
• iii) a polymerization inhibitor which is an .alpha.-substituted phenolic compound, and
• iv) an acidic esterification catalyst, and wherein the reaction mixture is free from added solvents and azeotropic-entraining agents;
• b) heating the above reaction mixture to a temperature in the range of from about 90.degree. to about 150.degree. C. while removing water of reaction from the reaction zone to form a crude reaction product;
• and
• c) subjecting the crude reaction product to dry neutralization.