1-Butanol → 2-Methylpropyl 2-hydroxypropanoate

The composition of matter of 1-butyl lactate is and its preparation are disclosed in Gabriel et al. U.S. Pat. No. 1,668,806 (1928). They prepared 1-butyl lactate by dehydrating 70% lactic acid with excess 1-butanol at 117° C., followed by addition of HCl catalyst, followed by refluxing and esterification with addition excess 1-butanol and drawing a 1-butanol water azeotrope overhead. Nakanishi and Tsuda (Japanese Patent JP 46/30176 [71/30176]) consider production of 1-butyl lactate by extraction of an acidified crude fermentation broth with 1-butanol, followed by esterification of the extract phase. BASF (EP 159-285) considers production of isobutyl lactate by extraction of an acidified crude fermentation broth with isobutanol, followed by esterification of the extract phase, which was then distilled in vacuum 80° C./25 mbar to give a purified isobutyl lactate.