Tosoh Corporation

Nobuo Nagira

Takanori Miyake

Takashi Okada

Makoto Hanaya

Norimasa Mizui

Akitaka Hattori

Shunya Ikumi

Takashi Hori

Seiichi Tokumaru

Hideyuki Hamaji

Benzyl alcohol of high purity is produced by supplying benzyl acetate, water and acetic acid to a hydrolysis reactor packed with a solid acid catalyst. The liquid reaction mixture produced, which contains benzyl acetate, water, benzyl alcohol and acetic acid, is supplied to an acetic acid-water recovery column, Benzyl alcohol and benzyl acetate are recovered while acetic acid is removed and returned to the hydrolysis reactor.

Process for producing benzyl acetate and benzyl alcohol

The present invention relates to a process for producing benzyl acetate and benzyl alcohol. Benzyl acetate itself is useful as a solvent and a perfume. Benzyl alcohol which is derived from the benzyl acetate by hydrolysis or by transesterification with methanol is an important compound useful as a powerful solvent, a nontoxic medical additive, and an intermediate compound for agricultural chemicals and medicines.

Growing community of inventors

Yamaguchi, Japan

Nobuo Nagira