Abstract:
A process for the production of higher alkyl acrylates and methacrylates having reduced color numbers and containing minimum quantities of polymerization inhibitors and other impurities, wherein the alkyl chains contain 3 or more carbons, by the transesterification of methyl acrylate or methacrylate with alkanols of 3 or more carbons in the presence of a titanium alcoholate as transesterification catalyst and also in the presence of polymerization inhibitor combination and entraining agent for removing the methyl alcohol by-product. The transesterification is carried out by passing an oxygencontaining gas through the reaction mixture. In recovering the higher alkylacrylates or methacrylates the resultant reaction mixture is subjected to a steam distillation.