Transesterification of methyl benzoate and dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol over basic zeolites

The transesterification of methyl benzoate and dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol to 2-hydroxyethyl benzoate and 2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate, respectively, was investigated in the presence of various basic zeolites having different basic strengths. The reactions were carried out in the liquid phase at 150°C and 180°C under continuous removal of deliberated methanol. The dependence of conversion and selectivity is discussed upon temperature, various reactant/catalyst ratios and the starting material ratio.