Synthesis of dicyclohexyl terephthalate by transesterification

A transesterification process for synthesis of dicyclohexyl terephthalate from dimethyl terephthalate and cyclohexanol is studied with potassium carbonate,titanate and other catalysts.The influences of the amount of catalyst,reaction temperature,reaction time and ratio of reactants are investigated.The optimal conditions are obtained as follows:3∶1 of the molar ratio of cyclohexanol/(dimethyl terephthalate,160-190℃ of the reaction temperature,7 hours of the reaction time and the self-titanate catalyst amount of 1.0%.Under above conditions the conversion rate of dimethyl terephthalate can be over 93% with dicyclohexyl terephthalate yield higher than 92%.