| abstract |
Base-catalyzed transesterification may be effected in the presence of certain metal oxide solid solutions and layered double hydroxides as the basic catalyst. Use of the latter materials as the base catalyst readily permits one to conduct transesterification in a continuous manner. Such a continuous process is applicable to esters generally and is not limited to any particular structural types of esters or alcohols. Transesterification of detergent range alkyl acetates by this method leads to the formation of the corresponding detergent range alcohols in excellent yield and with quite high selectivity. |