| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for the preparation of organic esters and amides by reacting (a) a 5 to 60 mole % excess of an ester of (substituted-4-hydroxyphenyl) alkanoic acid with (b)(i) a C4-C20 aliphatic alcohol or thioether alcohol having one or more hydroxyl groups or (ii) an amine of the formula, (R''')2N(CH2)nR'''' wherein R''' is hydrogen, C1-7 alkyl, C5-12 cycloalkyl, or C6-12 aryl, provided that one R''' is hydrogen, and R'''' is hydrogen or N(R''')2 wherein R''' is a defined above, in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a basic inorganic compound and a polar aprotic organic compound. The process provides higher yields of the desired product, shorter reaction times, and reduces the production of undesirable side-products. |