(75c) Direct Ethoxylation of Butyl Acrylate with Narrow Adduct Distribution

One-pot production of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acrylate was achieved by direct ethoxylation of butyl acrylate, using a Al-Mg composite oxide catalyst. Mass percentage of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acrylate in the crude product was 40.3% after 30min reaction at 150-155 ^oC when a molar ratio of 2:1(butyl acrylate to ethelene oxide) was employed. The catalyst activity was 0.35gEO/(g cat • min). 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperdine-1-oxyl was found the most effective inhibitor to prevent self-polymerization of butyl acrylate during the ethoxylation.