| abstract |
The present invention is a process for preparing a sorbate ester comprising the steps of: a) contacting together in a reaction vessel a first organic solvent, sorbic acid, a catalytic amount of TiCl 4 , an anti-oxidant, and an alkylene oxide under conditions sufficient to form a mixture of the sorbate ester and residual water-soluble impurities; then b) separating the sorbate ester from the residual water-soluble impurities by washing. Sorbate esters can be prepared in an efficient and cost-effective manner by the process of the present invention. |