Ethylene Oxide → Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate

Participants

Reaction Conditions

Reaction Steps

Terephthalic acid (0.25 mole), the catalyst of Example II (0.5g), and methyl isobutyl ketone (250 ml) is charged to an autoclave and heated to about 150°C. A slight stoichiometric excess of ethylene oxide is added to the autoclave. A slight exotherm is observed. After about one hour, the reaction mixture is removed from the autoclave, cleaned, and filtered. Upon cooling, a good yield of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate is obtained in the form of a precipitate.

Provenance & Evidence