This invention relates to a process for the preparation of peroxyesters.

Peroxyesters can be prepared by the reaction of an organic hydroperoxide and an acid anhydride or acid chloride with a base, as illustrated by the following equations:

R ² -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² + R ¹ OOH ® R ² -C(=0)-0-0-R ¹ + HOC(=0)R ²

R ² -C(=0)CI + R ¹ OOH + NaOH ® R ² -C(=0)-0-0-R ¹ + NaCI

Acid chlorides are relatively expensive and generate chloride-containing water layers, which lead to waste waters with high salt concentration.

The anhydrides, on the other hand, are even more expensive than acid chlorides and the waste stream of this process contains a high organic load - i.e. a high Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) value - due to the formed carboxylic acid salt, and is therefore economically and environmentally unattractive.

US 3,138,627 discloses a process to prepare tertiary butyl peroxy esters by reacting an acid anhydride with a tertiary butyl hydroperoxide in a solvent and separating the formed peroxy ester from the reaction mixture by withdrawing the solvent therefrom such as by extraction, optionally followed by drying.

US 6,610,880 discloses a process for the preparation of a peroxyester by reacting a mixed acid anhydride with an organic hydroperoxide, in which a peroxide and a carbonate monoester are formed. During work-up, the carbonate monoester decarboxylates to CO2 and an alcohol. Recycling of the alcohol requires phosgene. The mixed acid anhydride is prepared by contacting a carboxylic acid with a halogen formate. This route is most relevant for making peroxides where acid chlorides are expensive or not available, such as in the case of peroxides having a hydroxy group in the molecule. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process for the production of peroxyesters - which term includes peroxydiesters, peroxytriesters, etc. and substituted peroxyesters such as hydroxyperoxyesters - that has an effluent with a relatively low COD value, which process does not require the use of acid chlorides and is economically and environmentally attractive.

This object can be achieved by a process comprising the following steps:

a) producing a mixture comprising one or more peroxyesters and one or more carboxylic acid salts or adducts by reacting an anhydride with the formula R ¹ -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² with an organic hydroperoxide of the formula

R ³ (OOH) _n in the presence of a base,

wherein R ¹ is selected from linear and branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and arylalkyl groups with 1 -17 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing substituents, R ² is selected from linear and branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and arylalkyl groups with 2-17 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing substituents, R ³ is a tertiary alkyl group with 3-18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing groups and/or unsaturated groups, and n is an integer in the range 1 -3,

b) separating the one or more carboxylic acid salts or adducts from the mixture produced in step a),

c) liberating the carboxylic acid from the salt or adduct,

d) optionally producing an additional amount of carboxylic acid by reacting an aldehyde of the formula R ² -C(=0)H with oxygen,

e) reacting the carboxylic acid obtained in step c) and optionally an additional amount of carboxylic acid of the formula R ² -C(=0)0H - said additional amount of carboxylic acid being obtained from step d) and/or obtained in another way - with an acid anhydride or a ketene of the formula C(R ⁴ )2=C=0, each R ⁴ being independently selected from H and Chb, preferably with acetic acid, to form an anhydride with the formula R ¹ -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² , and

f) recycling at least part of the anhydride formed in step e) to step a). This process produces a peroxyester from an anhydride, which anhydride is obtained at least partly from the carboxylic acid side product. The recycling of the carboxylic acid side product makes this process economically attractive and its effluents low in COD.

Preferably, any additional amount of carboxylic acid that is required to form the amount of anhydride that is needed in step a) is obtained by oxidation of the corresponding aldehyde. It is therefore preferred to produce an additional amount of carboxylic acid in step d) and react it in step e) with acetic anhydride or a ketene.

As this process does not involve the use of corrosive or volatile reactants, it increases production safety and allows production at the location in which the peroxyester is eventually used (e.g. a polymerization facility). Such on-site production allows peroxide production on demand, thereby minimizing storage capacities and the consequential safety measures.

Step a) involves the reaction of an organic hydroperoxide with an anhydride with the formula R ¹ -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² in the presence of a base.

R ¹ in this formula is selected from linear and branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and arylalkyl groups with 1 -17 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing substituents. Examples of suitable substituents are alkoxy, chlorine, and ester substituents. The number of carbon atoms is preferably 2-1 1 , even more preferably 2-8, and most preferably 3-6 carbon atoms. In a further preferred embodiment, R ¹ is selected from linear or branched alkyl groups. Most preferably, R ¹ is selected from the group consisting of n-propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, and 2-butyl groups.

R ² in this formula is selected from linear and branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, and arylalkyl groups with 2-17 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing substituents. Examples of suitable substituents are alkoxy, chlorine, and ester substituents. The number of carbon atoms is preferably 2-1 1 , even more preferably 2-8, and most preferably 3-6 carbon atoms. In a further preferred embodiment, R ² is selected from linear or branched alkyl groups. Most preferably, R ² is selected from the group consisting of n-propyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, n-butyl, and 2-butyl groups.

The anhydride can be symmetrical, meaning R ¹ =R ² , or asymmetrical, meaning that the R ¹ ¹R ² .

If the anhydride is symmetrical, the carboxylic acid that is formed in step a) and extracted in step b) will have the formula R ² -C(=0)0H. If the anhydride is asymmetrical, the carboxylic acid will be a mixture of R ² -C(=0)0H and R ¹ - C(=0)0H.

Suitable symmetrical anhydrides are propionic anhydride, n-butyric anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, pivalic anhydride, valeric anhydride, isovaleric anhydride, 2-methyl butyric anhydride, 2-methylpentanoic anhydride, 2-methylhexanoic anhydride, 2-methylheptanoic anhydride, 2-ethyl butyric anhydride, caproic anhydride, caprylic anhydride, isocaproic anhydride, n-heptanoic anhydride, nonanoic anhydride, isononanoic anhydride, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoic anhydride, 2-propylheptanoic anhydride, decanoic anhydride, neodecanoic anhydride, undecanoic anhydride, neoheptanoic anhydride, lauric anhydride, tridecanoic anhydride, 2-ethyl hexanoic anhydride, myristic anhydride, palmitic anhydride, stearic anhydride, phenylacetic anhydride, cyclohexanecarboxylic anhydride, 3- methyl-cyclopentanecarboxylic anhydride, beta-methoxy propionic anhydride, methoxy acetic anhydride, ethoxy acetic anhydride, propoxy acetic anhydride, alpha-ethoxy butyric anhydride, benzoic anhydride, o-, m-, and p-toluic anhydride, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic anhydride, o-, m-, and p-chlorobenzoic anhydride, o-, m-, and p-bromobenzoic anhydride, o-, m-, and p-nitrobenzoic anhydride, o-, m-, and p-methoxybenzoic anhydride, and mixtures of two or more of the above- mentioned anhydrides.

Examples of suitable mixtures of symmetrical anhydrides are the mixture of isobutyric anhydride and 2-methylbutyric anhydride, the mixture of isobutyric anhydride and 2-methylpentanoic anhydride, the mixture of 2-methylbutyric anhydride and isovaleric anhydride, and the mixture of 2-methylbutyric anhydride and valeric anhydride.

Asymmetrical anhydrides are usually available as a mixture of the asymmetrical and symmetrical anhydrides. This is because asymmetrical anhydrides are usually obtained by reacting a mixture of acids with, e.g., acetic anhydride. This leads to a mixture of anhydrides, including an asymmetrical and at least one symmetrical anhydride. Such mixtures of anhydrides can be used in the process of the present invention. Examples of suitable asymmetrical anhydrides are isobutyric-2-methylbutyric anhydride, which is preferably present as admixture with isobutyric anhydride and 2-methylbutyric anhydride; isobutyric-acetic anhydride, which is preferably present as admixture with isobutyric anhydride and acetic anhydride, isobutyric-acetic anhydride, which is preferably present as admixture with isobutyric anhydride; 2-methylbutyric-valeric anhydride which is preferably present as admixture with 2-methylbutyric anhydride and valeric anhydride; and butyric-valeric anhydride, which is preferably present as admixture with butyric anhydride and valeric anhydride.

More preferred anhydrides are n-butyric anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, n- valeric anhydride, isovaleric anhydride, 2-methylbutyric anhydride, 2- methylhexanoic anhydride 2-propylheptanoic anhydride, isononanoic anhydride, cyclohexanecarboxylic anhydride, 2-ethylhexanoic anhydride, caprylic anhydride, caproic anhydride, 2-propylheptanoic anhydride, and lauric anhydride. Even more preferred are n-butyric anhydride, isobutyric anhydride, n-valeric anhydride, isovaleric anhydride, and 2-methylbutyric anhydride. Most preferred is isobutyric anhydride.

The organic hydroperoxide has the formula R ³ (OOH) _n , wherein R ³ is a tertiary alkyl group with 3-18 carbon atoms, optionally substituted with oxygen- and/or halogen-containing groups and/or unsaturated groups, and n is an integer in the range 1 -3, more preferably 1 or 2, and most preferably 1. A preferred oxygen- containing group is a hydroxy group. Examples of unsaturated groups are alkynylene groups and unsaturated rings such as cyclohexenylene and phenylene groups.

R ³ preferably represents a C3-C18 tertiary alkyl group, more preferably a C3-C16 tertiary alkyl group, even more preferably a C3-C8 tertiary alkyl group, which may optionally contain further branches and/or hydroxy groups.

Typical examples of hydroperoxides that can be used in the present process include tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropyl hydroperoxide (i.e. tert-amyl hydroperoxide), 1 ,1 -dimethylbutyl hydroperoxide (i.e. tert-hexyl hydroperoxide), 1 -methyl-1 -ethylpropyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -diethylpropyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 ,2- trimethylpropyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3- hydroxybutyl hydroperoxide (i.e. hexylene glycol hydroperoxide), 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3- hydroxypropyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-(2-hydroxyethoxy)butyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-(2-hydroxy-1 -propyloxy)butyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 - dimethyl-3-(1 -hydroxy-2-propyloxy)butyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropenyl hydroperoxide, m-isopropylcumyl hydroperoxide, p-isopropylcumyl hydroperoxide, m-isopropenylcumyl hydroperoxide, p-isopropenylcumyl hydroperoxide, m-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide, p-diisopropylbenzene dihydroperoxide, and 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide.

The preferred hydroperoxides are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide, tert-hexyl hydroperoxide, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide,

1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-hydroxybutyl hydroperoxide, and cumyl hydroperoxide.

Most preferred are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide, and 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide. The organic hydroperoxide can be used in pure form or in a solution in water or organic solvent. Suitable organic solvents are alkanes (e.g. isododecane, Spiridane® and Isopar® mineral oils), chloroalkanes, esters (e.g. ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, dimethyl phthalate, ethylene glycol dibenzoate, dibutyl maleate, cumene, di-isononyl-1 ,2-cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DINCH), dioctyl terephthalate, or 2,2,4-trimethylpentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB), ethers, amides, and ketones. In one embodiment, the organic hydroperoxide is added as a solution in water, most preferably a 30-80 wt% aqueous solution. Specific examples of such solutions are solutions of >70 wt% tert-butyl hydroperoxide in water and >85 wt% tert-amyl hydroperoxide in water.

Other suitable organic hydroperoxide solutions are formulations containing >82% 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl hydroperoxide in admixture with by-products, and >80% cumyl hydroperoxide in cumene.

The reaction of anhydride with organic hydroperoxide is conducted in the presence of a base.

Examples of suitable bases are alkylated amines, 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine and the oxides, hydroxides, bicarbonates, carbonates, (hydro)phosphates, and carboxylates of magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium, or calcium. Other suitable bases are solid materials with basic functions that are able to capture the carboxylic acid, thereby forming an adduct. Examples of such solid materials are basic ion exchange resins such as poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzylamine-co- divinylbenzene), N-{2-[bis(2-aminoethyl) amino]ethyl}aminomethyl-polystyrene, diethylamino methyl-polystyrene, dimethyl aminomethylated copolymers of styrene and divinylbenzene, polymer-bound morpholine, poly(4-vinylpyridine), zeolites or mesoporous silicas containing alkylamine groups like 3- aminopropylsilyl-functionalized SBA-15 silica, polymeric amines, and mixtures of one or more of these materials. The formed adduct can be removed from the reaction mixture by filtration.

The base may be added in amounts of 80 to 200 mol% relative to anhydride, more preferably 90-150 mol%, and most preferably 100-150 mol%.

The reaction of step a) is preferably performed at a temperature in the range of - 10 to 1 10°C, more preferably in the range 0 to 80°C, and most preferably in the range 0 to 50°C.

The molar ratio organic hydroperoxide to anhydride is preferably in the range 0.8- 1 .6, more preferably 0.9-1 .4, and most preferably 0.95-1 .2. The reaction does not require the presence of a solvent. However, if the final product (i.e. the peroxyester) requires dilution in a solvent, a solvent can be pre charged with the anhydride or dosed to the reaction mixture during or after the reaction. Suitable solvents are alkanes, chloroalkanes, esters, ethers, amides, and ketones. Preferred solvents are (mixtures of) alkanes, such as isododecane, Spirdane®, Isopar® mineral oils; esters like ethyl acetate, methyl acetate, ethylene glycol dibenzoate, di butyl maleate, di-isononyl-1 ,2- cyclohexanedicarboxylate (DINCH), or 2,2,4-trimethylpentanediol diisobutyrate (TXIB); and phthalates, such as dimethyl phthalate or dioctyl terephthalate.

According to step b), the carboxylic acid salt or adduct is separated from the mixture obtained in step a).

Separation can be performed by filtration or gravity, using conventional separation equipment, such as a liquid/liquid separator, a centrifuge, a (pulsed and or packed) counter current column, (a combination of) mixer settlers, or a continuous (plate) separator.

If desired, a small amount of a reducing agent, such as sulfite and/or iodide, may be added in order to decompose any organic hydroperoxides. Any residual peroxy compounds in the aqueous phase can be removed by washing the aqueous phase with a solvent and/or an anhydride, preferably the anhydride of formula R ¹ -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² .

After removal of the carboxylic acid, the organic phase containing the peroxyester may be purified and/or dried. Purification can be performed by washing with water, optionally containing salts, base, or acid, by filtration over, e.g., carbon black or diatomaceous earth, and/by adding a reducing agent (e.g. a sulfite solution) in order to lower the hydroperoxide content. Drying can be performed by using a drying salt like MgSC>4 or Na2SC>4 or by using an air or vacuum drying step. If the peroxyester is to be emulsified in water, a drying step can be dispensed with. The treatment with the reducing agent is preferably performed at 5-40°C and a pH in the range 4-8. In step c), the carboxylic acid is liberated by, for instance,

(i) acidifying the aqueous phase containing the carboxylic acid salt,

(ii) splitting the adduct (e.g. by heating or acidification) and physically separating (e.g. distilling) the carboxylic acid from the solid material with basic functions, or

(iii) splitting the salt via electrochemical membrane separation, e.g., bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPM).

Preferred acids for acidifying and protonating the carboxylic acid are acids with a pKa below 3, such as H2SO4, HCI, NaHSC>4, KHSO4, and the like. Most preferably H2SO4 is used. If H2SO4 is used, it is preferably added as a 90-96 wt% solution. Acidification is preferably performed to a pH below 6, more preferably below 4.5, and most preferably below 3. The resulting pH is preferably not lower than 1.

In addition to acid, also a small amount of a reducing agent, such as sulfite and/or iodide, may be added to the aqueous phase in order to decompose any peroxide residues. A thermal treatment (e.g. at 20-80°C) can be applied in order to decompose any peroxyester residues.

The organic layer containing the carboxylic acid is then separated from any aqueous, salt-containing layer. Separation can be performed by gravity, using conventional separation equipment, such as a liquid/liquid separator, a centrifuge, a (pulsed and or packed) counter current column, (a combination of) mixer settlers, or a continuous (plate) separator.

In some embodiments, the separation can be facilitated by salting out the organic liquid phase with a concentrated salt solution, e.g. a 20-30 wt% NaCI, NaHSC>4, KHSO4, Na2SC>4, or K2SO4 solution. The salt reduces the solubility of the carboxylic acid in the aqueous liquid phase. This extraction can be performed in any suitable device, such as a reactor, centrifuge, or mixer-settler.

Especially for lower molecular weight acids, like butyric, isobutyric, pentanoic, and methyl or ethyl-branched pentanoic acids, a residual amount of the acid will remain dissolved in the aqueous layer. This residual amount can be recovered by adsorption, (azeotropic) distillation, or extraction. Optionally, a salt (e.g. sodium sulfate) can be added to the aqueous layer in order to lower the solubility of the carboxylic acid.

In another embodiment, liberation of the carboxylic acid is achieved by electrochemical membrane separation. Examples of electrochemical membrane separation techniques are membrane electrolysis and bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BPM). BPM is the preferred electrochemical membrane separation method.

Electrochemical membrane separation leads to splitting of the metal carboxylate in carboxylic acid and metal hydroxide (e.g. NaOH or KOH) and separation of both species. It thus leads to (i) a carboxylic acid-containing mixture and (ii) a NaOH or KOH solution, separated by a membrane.

The NaOH or KOH solution can be re-used in the process of the present invention, for instance in step a).

Depending on the temperature, the salt concentration, and the solubility of the carboxylic acid in water, the carboxylic acid-containing mixture can be a biphasic mixture of two liquid phases or a homogeneous mixture. If a homogeneous mixture is formed under the electrochemical membrane separation conditions (generally 40-50°C), cooling of the mixture to temperatures below about 30°C and/or the addition of salt will ensure that a biphasic mixture will be formed. The organic liquid layer of this biphasic carboxylic acid-containing mixture can then be separated from the aqueous layer by gravity or by using equipment like a centrifuge. The carboxylic acid-containing organic phase is optionally purified to remove volatiles like hydroperoxides, alcohols, ketones, alkenes and water before it is used in step e). These volatiles can be removed by adsorption, distillation, or drying with salt, molecular sieves, etc. Distillation is the preferred way of purification. The distillation preferably involves two product collection stages, one to collect impurities like alcohols and another to collect the remaining water, optionally as an azeotrope with the carboxylic acid. According to steps e) and f), the carboxylic acid is subsequently reacted with an acid anhydride or a ketene of the formula C(R ⁴ )2=C=0 - each R ⁴ being independently selected from H and Chb - preferably with acetic anhydride, to form an anhydride with the formula R ¹ -C(=0)-0-C(=0)-R ² , which is subsequently at least partly recycled to step a) and used again to produce the peroxyester.

The reaction of step e), in particular the reaction with acetic anhydride, is advantageously performed in a reactive distillation column that is fed in the middle sections with the carboxylic acid and the acetic anhydride. The product anhydride is drawn from the bottom of the column and the product acetic acid is collected from the top of the column. An alternative method is to produce the anhydride in a stirred reactor surmounted by a distillation column. This allows the acetic acid to be distilled when formed in order to shift the equilibrium. US 2005/014974 discloses a process to prepare isobutyric anhydride by reacting acetic anhydride with isobutyric acid and containing a step of distilling of the acetic acid as formed. The distillation column is preferably sufficiently efficient to get high purity acetic acid. The efficiency of the column is preferably at least 8 theoretical plates. High purity acetic acid can be sold and/or used for various purposes.

The reaction with the ketene of the formula C(R ⁴ )2=C=0 is preferably performed in a counter-current adsorption device, as disclosed in US 2,589,112. The preferred ketene has the formula CH2=C=0.

A catalyst may be used in step e), although it is preferred to perform the reaction in the absence of catalyst. Examples of suitable catalysts are oxides, hydroxides, bicarbonates, carbonates, and carboxylates of magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium, or calcium.

The molar ratio of carboxylic acid to acetic anhydride is preferably in the range 0.5:1 to 5:1 , more preferably 1.5:1 -2.2:1 , most preferably 1.8:1 to 2.2:1 . A slight excess of carboxylic acid relative to acetic anhydride might be used.

The reaction is preferably performed at a temperature of 70-200°C, preferably 100-170°C, most preferably 120-160°C. The temperature can be maintained at the desired value by adjusting the pressure in the reactor. This pressure is preferably in the range 1 -100 kPa, more preferably 5-70 kPa.

After completion of the reaction, any excess acetic anhydride that may have been formed can be distilled off in order to purify the anhydride of formula R ¹ -C(=0)- 0-C(=0)-R ² .

This anhydride can then be used again in step a).

In a preferred embodiment, the carboxylic acid that is used in step e) is obtained from two or three sources. The first source of carboxylic acid is the carboxylic acid that is liberated in step c). The second source of carboxylic acid is obtained by oxidation of the corresponding aldehyde in accordance with step d), as described below. The third source is an additional amount of carboxylic acid obtained in any other way. As oxygen source for step d), air is preferably used, although pure oxygen, oxygen-enriched air, or oxygen-lean air may also be applied. The oxygen source can be added to the reaction mixture by feeding it as a gas to the reactor, preferably using a sparger.

The reaction of step d) is preferably performed at a temperature in the range of 0 to 70°C, more preferably in the range 10 to 60°C, and most preferably in the range 20 to 55°C.

Atmospheric pressure is preferably used; at lower pressure the aldehyde may evaporate, which is undesired.

A catalyst may optionally be used. Very good catalysts, which not only accelerate oxidation but also increase the yield of acid, are platinum black and ferric salts. Cerium, nickel, lead, copper and cobalt salts are also useful, particularly their carboxylic acid salts.

The catalyst may be added in amounts of 0 to 20 mol% relative to aldehyde, more preferably 0-5 mol%, and most preferably 0-2 mol%.

Examples of peroxyesters for which this process is especially suitable are tert- butylperoxy 2-ethylhexanoate, tert-amylperoxy 2-ethylhexanoate, tert-hexyl- peroxy 2-ethylhexanoate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy 2-ethylhexanoate,

1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl 1 -peroxyneodecanoate, tert-butylperoxy neodecanoate, tert-amylperoxy neodecanoate, tert-hexylperoxy neodecanoate, 1 ,1 ,3,3- tetramethylbutyl 1 -peroxyneoheptanoate, tert-butylperoxy neoheptanoate, tert- amylperoxy neoheptanoate, tert-hexylperoxy neoheptanoate, 1 ,1 ,3,3- tetramethylbutyl 1 -peroxyneononanoate, tert-butylperoxy neononanoate, tert- amylperoxy neononanoate, tert-hexylperoxy neononanoate, tert-butylperoxy pivalate, tert-amylperoxy pivalate, tert-hexylperoxy pivalate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy pivalate, tert-butylperoxy 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoate, tert-amylperoxy 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoate, tert-hexylperoxy 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoate, 1 ,1 ,3,3- tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy 3,3,5-trimethylhexanoate, tert-butylperoxy isobutyrate, tert-amylperoxy isobutyrate, tert-hexylperoxy isobutyrate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy isobutyrate, tert-butylperoxy n-butyrate, tert-amylperoxy n-butyrate, tert-hexylperoxy n-butyrate, tert-butylperoxy isovalerate, tert-amylperoxy isovalerate, tert-hexylperoxy isovalerate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy isovalerate, tert-butylperoxy n-valerate, tert-amylperoxy n-valerate, tert-hexyl peroxy n-valerate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy n-butyrate, 1 ,1 ,3,3- tetramethyl butyl 1 -peroxy m-chlorobenzoate, tert-butylperoxy m-chlorobenzoate, tert-amylperoxy m-chlorobenzoate, tert-hexylperoxy m-chlorobenzoate, 1 , 1 ,3,3- tetramethyl butyl 1 -peroxy o-methylbenzoate, tert-butylperoxy o-methylbenzoate, tert-amylperoxy o-methylbenzoate, tert-hexylperoxy o-methylbenzoate, 1 ,1 ,3,3- tetramethyl butyl 1 -butylperoxy phenylacetate, tert-butylperoxy phenylacetate, tert-amylperoxy phenylacetate, tert-hexylperoxy phenylacetate, tert-butylperoxy 2-chloroacetate, tert-butylperoxy cyclododecyloxalate, tert-butylperoxy n- butyloxalate, tert-butylperoxy 2-methylbutyrate, tert-amylperoxy 2-methylburyrate, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-hydroxy butyl-1 -peroxy neodecanoate, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-hydroxy butyl-1 -peroxy pivalate, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-hydroxy butyl-1 -peroxy 2-ethylhexanoate, 1 ,1 -dimethyl-3-hydroxy butyl-1 -peroxy-3, 3, 5-trimethylhexanoate, and 1 ,1 - dimethyl-3-hydroxy butyl-1 -peroxy isobutyrate.

Preferred peroxyesters include tert-butylperoxy isobutyrate, tert-amylperoxy isobutyrate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy isobutyrate, tert-butylperoxy n- butyrate, tert-amylperoxy n-butyrate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy n-butyrate, tert-butylperoxy isovalerate, tert-amylperoxy isovalerate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl- 1 -peroxy isovalerate, tert-butylperoxy-2-methylbutyrate, tert-amylperoxy-2- methylbutyrate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl-1 -peroxy-2-methylbutyrate, tert- butylperoxy n-valerate, tert-amylperoxy n-valerate, and 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethyl butyl- 1 -peroxy n-valerate.

The process according to the present invention and individual steps thereof can be performed batch-wise or continuously. Steps that are preferably performed in continuous mode are reactive distillation to make the anhydride in step e) and isolation and purification of the carboxylic acid in step c).

Also combinations of batch and continuous operation can be used. Examples of combinations are:

- a batch reaction to the peroxyester in step a), followed by a batch separation and continuous purification of carboxylic acid and continuous reactive distillation towards the anhydride in step e),

- a continuous reaction to peroxyester and separation and purification of the carboxylic acid, followed by a batch mode distillation to the anhydride in step e), or

- a batch reaction to peroxyester and separation of the product, followed by a continuous mode purification of carboxylic acid and continuous reactive distillation to the anhydride in step e).

The peroxyester obtained by the process according to the present invention can be used in, e.g., the polymerization of monomers and/or the modification of polymers, in the usual amounts and using conventional methods. Specific examples of applications include polymerization of ethylene, vinyl chloride, styrene and (meth)acrylates. The peroxyesters are suitable in curing acrylates, unsaturated polyesters and vinyl esters, and the crosslinking of elastomers, rubbers, and olefins. Hydroxyperoxyesters are particularly suitable for use in (co)polymer modification reactions, e.g. the preparation of hydroxy-functionalized poly(meth)acrylates. Said acrylates may be used for example in high solids coating resins. EXAMPLES

Example 1

To an empty reactor equipped with a thermometer and a turbine impeller were charged 42.3 g heptane and 94.7 g 82% tert-amyl hydroperoxide, at 10°C. While stirring sufficiently fast to keep the reactor contents mixed, 122.5 g isobutyric anhydride and 125 g NaOH-25 wt% were dosed in 45 minutes at 10-15°C. The mixing was prolonged for 80 minutes, during which 7.6 g NaOH-25 wt% were added to maintain the pH above 12.

The water layer was separated from the organic layer and the organic layer was subsequently treated with a sulfite solution to destroy residual hydroperoxide. The resulting product was subsequently washed with a bicarbonate solution and dried with MgS04-2-H20.

The product contained 68.3 wt% tert-amyl peroxy isobutyrate. The tert-amyl peroxy isobutyrate yield was 91 %.

The water layer was washed with heptane in order to remove any residual tert- amylperoxy isobutyrate. To the separated aqueous phase sodium sulfite was added in order to reduce any residual hydroperoxides. The aqueous phase was then treated with 96 wt% H2SO4 to lower the pH to 2.5. The layers were allowed to separate by gravity at 40°C. The organic layer consisted of wet isobutyric acid. After azeotropic removal of water in a rotary evaporator (200 mbar, 80°C), the isobutyric acid was mixed with isobutyric acid from another source (in this case, Sigma Aldrich) and mixed with acetic anhydride in a molar ratio isobutyric acid:acetic anhydride of 2:1.05 and heated to distill acetic acid (< 400 mbar at 120°C) and to obtain isobutyric anhydride as the residue. This anhydride was then recycled to the first step. Example 2

To a 300 ml beaker equipped with a stirrer and a thermometer surrounded by an ice bath, 40.4 grams 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutylhydroperoxide (90.5 wt%; 0.25 mol) and 12.84 g n-nonane were added. The mixture was stirred and the temperature was maintained at 20°C while dosing 39.9 g (0.25 mol) isobutyric anhydride in 30 minutes and 45 g 25 wt% NaOH (0.28 mol) in 100 minutes.

After 15 minutes post reaction, 20 g water was added and the layers were allowed to separate by gravity. The organic layer was removed and treated with a sulphite solution to reduce hydroperoxide and washed with a bicarbonate solution. The product was dried with magnesium sulphate and filtered over a glass filter to obtain a product containing 69.5 wt% 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl peroxyisobutyrate (FT-IR peaks at 1774 cm ¹ and 1072 cm ¹ ).

The water layer (88.6 grams) was extracted twice with 20 g n-nonane at 20°C in order to remove peroxyesters and hydroperoxide. The extracted aqueous phase was treated with 15.8 g 96 wt% H2SO4 to lower the pH to 2.5. The layers were allowed to separate by gravity at 40°C. The organic layer consisted of 25.3 g wet isobutyric acid.

After azeotropic removal of water in a rotary evaporator (200 mbar, 80°C), the isobutyric acid was mixed with isobutyric acid from another source (in this case, from Sigma Aldrich) and mixed with acetic anhydride in a molar ratio isobutyric acid:acetic anhydride of 2:1.05 and heated to distill acetic acid (< 400 mbar at 120°C) and to obtain isobutyric anhydride as the residue. This anhydride was then recycled to the first step.