PURIFICATION AND PREPARATION PROCESSES FOR METHYL METHACRYLATE

A purification process for methyl methacrylate (MMA) and a recovery process for methanol are disclosed. A mixture, which contains water, methanol and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as principal components along with at least one of methyl acrylate, methyl propionate and methacrylic acid, is azeotropically distilled together with hexane to obtain MMA in a form substantially free of water, methanol methyl acrylate, methy1 propionate and hexane and a low boiling-point fraction. The low boiling-point fraction is cooled and separated into a water phase and an oil phase. Methanol can be recovered from the water phase by adding an alkaline substance to it and then distilling the resultant mixture. A preparation process of MMA is also disclosed. MMA can be prepared by esterifying methacrylic acid or methacylamide with methanol and then applying the above purification process.