Process for the preparation of methyl lactate

    公开(公告)号:DE3222837A1

    公开(公告)日:1983-12-22

    申请号:DE3222837

    申请日:1982-06-18

    Applicant: HOECHST AG

    Abstract: Methyl lactate is prepared by the process according to the invention from a lactic acid which has been produced by fermentation with the aid of bacteria. The process includes the following steps: a) neutralisation of the fermentation solution using CaCO3; b) acidification of the neutralised solution using H2SO4 and removal of the CaSO4 obtained in the process together with the bacterial biomass; c) treating the remaining lactic acid solution with such an amount of an optionally water-containing organic solvent that most of the remaining CaSO4 in the solution is precipitated in such a way that it is no longer troublesome in the extraction in step c); d) removal of the precipitated CaSO4 from the lactic acid solution; e) extraction of the lactic acid from the solution after an addition of a further quantity of the organic solvent used in step c); f) concentration of the lactic acid extract by at least partial removal of the solvent and coextracted water by evaporation; and g) esterification of the lactic acid with methanol in the presence of an acidic catalyst at 30-300 DEG C and 0.01 to 30 bar.

Patent Agency Ranking