| abstract |
Disclosed is a process for partially esterifying certain neopentyl polyol material with certain aliphatic monocarboxylic acid material, and for condensing the resulting partial esters. The partial esterification and condensation are carried out substantially simultaneously in a reaction zone in a temperature range in which (1) substantially all of the water formed in the esterification and condensation reactions evaporates from the reaction mixture as it is formed, and (2) aliphatic monocarboxylic acid material evaporates to blanket the reaction mixture with aliphatic monocarboxylic acid vapor with sufficient heat to minimize condensation and return of water vapor in the reaction zone above the reaction mixture to the reaction mixture. |