Continuous Plug Flow Process for the Transesterification of Methyl Acrylate and 1,4-Butanediol by a Zn-Immobilized Catalyst for Producing 4-Hydroxybutyl Acrylate

Abstract

Continuous environmentally benign and sustainable procedures for synthesizing fine chemicals are in high demand. Based on our previous report, this paper describes the developments of anchoring homogeneous Zn or Zr complexes useful for the catalytic transesterification of acrylates with diols that preferentially generate monoesters upon coordinating with the ligands of several solid supports. A flow reaction system was arranged to continuously supply a monoesterified product derived from methyl acrylate and 1,4-butanediol with the immobilized catalysts without weakening the catalytic activities under optimized conditions.