Ethylene Oxide → Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

A 3-liter stirred autoclave is charged with 600 grams of crude terephthalic acid (3.61 moles), 1600 ml. of 2-propyldioxolane reaction medium, 0.11 mole of tetraethyl ammonium terephthalate catalyst and then purged with nitrogen. Liquid ethylene oxide (473 grams, 10.75 mole) is then pumped in and the reactor heated quickly to 155°C. by passing steam through internal coils. After about 31/2 minutes, the reaction is terminated by pressuring the contents of the autoclave into a vessel where the ethylene oxide is flashed and then the unreacted terephthalic acid removed by filtration. Cooling of the filtrate to about 18°C. gives about 742 grams of crude bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate.

Provenance & Evidence