Arteva North America S.a.r.l.

David Rene Lamb

Jeffrey Scott Hurley

Charles L Liotta

David Anthony Schiraldi

Charles A Eckert

James Seay Brown

Karen Chandler

Heather Patrick Lesutis

The esterification of a carboxylic or polycarboxylic acid, such as terephthalic acid, with ethylene oxide is conducted in the presence of a supercritical or near critical fluid with an esterification catalyst to form a monoester such as 2-hydroxyethylterephthalate (MHET). The monoester can be easily removed from the involatile terephthalic acid/catalyst bed by continuous extraction with supercritical fluid before subsequent reaction to the diester occurs. The esterification catalyst, such as quaternary ammonium salts, are at least substantially insoluble in the supercritical fluid and capable of withstanding prolonged exposure to elevated temperatures. The process is highly selective to formation of monoesters, and economical. The process can be modified for production of bis-esters or higher esters. The monoesters are polymerizable and can be used as monomers in the production of polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate.

Method for esterification of carboxylic or polycarboxylic acid in the presence of supercritical fluids and catalysts therefor

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Alpharetta, GA, United States of America

David Rene Lamb