2-ETHYLHEXANOL-BASED ESTER PRODUCTION PROCESS Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: industrial organic synthesis. SUBSTANCE: invention, in particular, relates to producing symmetrical C₆-C₁₀-dicarboxylic acid 2-ethylhexyl esters useful as greases for various-destination engines, instrument lubricants, etc., and also as plasticizers for polymers. Method consists in two-step interaction of C₆-C₁₀-acids with 2-ethylhexanol: esterification is first carried out at temperature gradually increased to 135-170 C under pressure from atmospheric to residual value 400 mm Hg until acid number 50-35 mg KOH/g is achieved, after which, tetrabutoxy titanate and/or tetraisopropoxy titanate catalyst is added in amount 0.01 to 0.5% based on dicarboxylic acid weight and second esterification step is carried out at 180- 195 C, while reducing pressure to 2-150 mm Hg, until 2- ethylhexanol distillation ceases and acid number of reaction mass is no higher than 0.35 mg KOH/g. Reaction mass is then cooled and treated by water or 1-4% soda ash solution in amount 1-4% based on weight of crude ester. In particular, di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate is obtained with yield 99.2%, flash point 195 C, acid number 0.07 mgKOH/g, and purity 99.21%. EFFECT: increased yield and heat- resistance of products, and reduced power consumption. 4 cl, 2 tbl