2-Ethylhexyl Acrylate Production Process | High-Purity Monomer for Industrial Use

The production process of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate (2EHA) involves esterification of acrylic acid with 2-ethylhexanol, followed by purification to achieve high purity (99%). The process begins with raw material preparation: acrylic acid (≥99.5% purity) and 2-ethylhexanol (≥99% purity) are mixed in a reactor with a catalyst—typically sulfuric acid or a solid acid catalyst—to accelerate the esterification reaction, which forms 2EHA and water. The reaction occurs under controlled temperature (80-120°C) and pressure, with continuous removal of water (via azeotropic distillation) to drive the equilibrium toward product formation. After esterification, the crude mixture undergoes neutralization to remove the catalyst, followed by washing with water to eliminate salts and unreacted acids. Purification is done via fractional distillation, where the mixture is heated to separate 2EHA from unreacted alcohols, byproducts, and impurities, ensuring a purity of 99% or higher. Inhibitors (e.g., hydroquinone monomethyl ether) are added to prevent premature polymerization during storage and transportation. E Plus Chemical Co., Ltd. uses advanced catalytic polymerization technology and fully automated production lines to control reaction parameters, ensuring consistency across batches. Its integrated industrial chain—from raw material sourcing to distillation—enables strict quality control, making the process efficient and scalable to meet its 50,000-ton annual capacity, supplying 2EHA for adhesives, coatings, and resins.