| abstract |
A process for the preparation of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol dibenzoate or di(alkyl-substituted) benzoates by transesterification of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol or esters of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol with esters of benzoic acid or alkyl-substituted benzoic acids while removing volatile alcohol or ester by-product, comprising transesterifying 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol or an ester of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and one or more mono-carboxylic acids having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof, with an ester having the formulan n wherein R=a C₁-C₄ alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl group and R¹, R¹¹, R¹¹¹, and R¹¹¹¹ are any combination of H and alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in the presence of a catalytic amount of one or more basic compounds selected from the group consisting of the hydroxides, alkoxides, glycolates, amides, hydrides, and other comparably strongly basic anionic species of the alkali and alkaline earth (excluding magnesium) metals, and quaternary ammonium hydroxides and alkoxides, whereby the diester is obtained in high yield. Mono- and di-esters of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and benzoic acids are useful plasticizers for vinyl chloride polymers, and other polymers, particularly for imparting improved stain resistance to plasticized compositions. |