Processes for Separating Crude Acrylic Acids and Acrylates Comprising A Michael Addition Product

摘要

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a process for producing an acrylate product. The process comprises the step of reacting, optionally in a reaction zone, a reaction mixture comprising an alkanoic acid and an alkylenating agent under conditions effective to form a crude acrylate product. The crude acrylate product comprises acrylate product and acetic acid. The process further comprises the step of reacting, in a separation zone, at least a portion of the acrylate product and at least a portion of the acetic acid to form an intermediate acrylate product. The intermediate acrylate product comprises a Michael addition by-product, e.g., 3-acetoxypropionic acid and/or 3-acetoxypropanoic acid. The process further comprises the step of separating at least a portion of the intermediate acrylate product to form a by-product stream and a purified acrylate product stream.