Synthesis of neopentyl glycol and ethylene glycol esters by fatty acids in the presence of acidic ion exchange resin catalyst

A most effective and less energy demanding method of producing fatty esters, diol esters, by esterifying fatty acids, with neopentyl and ethylenglycol alcohols in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin catalyst(polyestyrendivinylbenzensulfated) was investigated at elevated temperature. In this process an azeotroping agent, toluene, was used to facilitate continuous removal of water by distillation, formed as a by-product during the esterification reaction.The esterification reaction is completed within 4-5 hours and neopentyl and ethylenglycol esters produced with properties of lubricity and biodegradability One of the most important modifications of the carboxyl group of the fatty acid chain is the esterification of the fatty acids obtained by cleavage of such esters. Those processes are performed on large scale. Esterification reactions of neopentylpolyols are normally catalysed with acidic or basic catalysts.Typical homogeneous catalysts are p-toluene sulphonic acid, phosphoric acid, sulphuric acid, sodium hydroxide, sodium ethoxide and sodium methoxide[1-5]. In some cases, heterogeneous catalysts such as Sn-oxalate or cation exchange resins are used. Enzyme catalysed reactions are also known