PRODUCTION OF 2-HYDROXYALKYL (METH)ACRYLATE

PURPOSE:To prevent the polymerization of product in the production of the titled compound, by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an alkylene oxide using a reactor and/or distillation apparatus made of stainless steel and preparatorily treated its inner wall surface with nitric acid. CONSTITUTION:The inner wall surface of a reactor and/or a distillation apparatus made of stainless steel is made to contact with nitric acid. Acrylic acid or methacrylic acid is reacted with an alkylene oxide using the treated reactor and the obtained reaction liquid is distilled with the distillation apparatus to obtain 2-hydroxyalkyl acrylate or 2-hydroxyalkyl methacrylate. The polymerization of the product in the synthetic reaction and distillation steps can be prevented by the use of the treated apparatus. EFFECT:The objective compound can be smoothly produced on commercial base.