| abstract |
A process for producing a carboxylic acid ester comprises reacting a first reactant comprising at least one carboxylic acid with a second reactant comprising at least one alcohol. The carboxylic acid and/or the alcohol are Fischer-Tropsch derived. The reaction is effected at elevated temperature and at a pressure such that the reactants are in a vapour phase. The reaction is further effected in the presence of a temperature stable solid acid catalyst. The application also discloses a process for transesterifying an ester, which process comprises reacting a first reactant comprising an ester with a second reactant comprising a Fischer-Tropsch derived alcohol, at elevated temperature and at a pressure such that the reactants are in a vapour phase, the reaction being effected in the presence of a temperature stable solid acid catalyst. |