US 6,982,340 B2
Process for producing an ester
Taku Mumura, Wakayama (Japan); Hidetoshi Kadowaki, Wakayama (Japan); and Futoshi Nishigaki, Wakayama (Japan)
Assigned to Kao Corporation, Tokyo (Japan)
Filed on Mar. 11, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/384,596.
Claims priority of application No. 2002-68961 (JP), filed on Mar. 13, 2002.
Prior Publication US 2003/0225304 A1, Dec. 04, 2003
Int. Cl. C07C 51/36 (2006.01); C07C 67/02 (2006.01); C07C 27/04 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 554—142 26 Claims
 
1. A process for purifying an ester compound, which comprises preparing an ester compound and then adsorption-treating the obtained ester compound with
at least one adsorbent (Adsorbent A) selected from the group consisting of clay and activated carbon, and
a hydrogenating decomposition-type adsorbent comprising Ni and/or Cu (hereinafter, referred to as adsorbent “B”) in hydrogen gas or a mixed gas of hydrogen gas and an inert gas,
wherein said preparing comprises either:
(a) transesterification of natural fats and oils with a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or
(b) esterification of a fatty acid derived from natural fats and oils with a lower alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.