| abstract |
A method for producing glycolide, including the steps of: heating a mixture containing a glycolic acid oligomer, a high-boiling point polar organic solvent having a boiling point of 230 to 450° C., and a tin compound under normal pressure or reduced pressure until a temperature at which the glycolic acid oligomer is depolymerized, to thereby dissolve the glycolic acid oligomer in the high-boiling point polar organic solvent; heating a solution, in which the glycolic acid oligomer is dissolved, under normal pressure or reduced pressure until a temperature at which the glycolic acid oligomer is depolymerized, to thereby form glycolide by depolymerization of the glycolic acid oligomer in the solution; and co-distilling off the high-boiling point polar organic solvent and the formed glycolide from a depolymerization reaction system. |