PURPOSE: To obtain the compd. of the purpose with high yield by producing propyleneglycol diester from 1,2-dihalogenopropane and an alkali metal salt of carboxylic acid under specified conditions. and then converting the obtd. diester into the objective compd. through a hydroxyester.

CONSTITUTION: After at least a part of propyleneglycol diester is hydrolyzed into the corresponding hydroxyester, carboxylic acids are removed from the ester to produce propylene oxide. In this process, the diester is obtd. by the reaction of 1,2-dihalogeno-propane, especially 1,2-dichloropropane and an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of carboxylic acid, especially Na or K salt of acetic acid or propionic acid in a single phase org. liquid reaction diluent, especially acetic acid, propionic acid or 1,2-propylene glycol. During the reaction, the inorg. salt produced in the reaction is controlled to be insoluble. The amt. of water in the reaction diluent is controlled to <3 wt.% of the whole weight of the reaction mixture to obtain the objective compd. with high yield.