Process for transesterifying a carboxylic acid

Described is an esterification process for the preparation of esters from carboxylic acids and lower alkanols, in which the alkanol is added to the reaction mixture beneath its surface and the temperature of the reaction mixture is kept above the boiling point of water. By shifting the reaction equilibrium towards the formation of ester, the process allows a high reaction rate of carboxylic acid to ester, requires less alkanol than conventional processes and dispenses with the necessity of azeotrope-like solvents or other dehydrating agents during the reaction.