Preparation of Monoalkyl Terephthalates: An Overview

Abstract

Terephthalic acid can be readily converted to the corresponding monoalkyl terephthalate in high yield, via a two‐step procedure. This method is advantageously compared to the more representative methods described in the literature. The purification of the expected monoester, a crucial problem for this synthetic pathway, is discussed, and an original procedure has been developed.

Keywords:

• dialkyl terephthalates
• monoalkyl terephthalates
• monohydrolysis
• terephthalic acid

Acknowledgment

The authors thank G. Sommen for helpful bibliographic assistance.