DISTILLATION OF 2-HYDROXYALKYL (METH)ACRYLATE

PURPOSE:To prevent the polymerization of product in the production of the titled compound from (meth)acrylic acid and an alkylene oxide, by introducing a liquid monomer from the top of a vertical double-pipe or multitubular heat- exchanger, countercurrently contacting the monomer with vapor introduced from the bottom of the exchanger and collecting the condensed vapor. CONSTITUTION:(Meth)acrylic acid is made to react with an alkylene oxide and the obtained reaction liquid is distilled to obtain the objective 2- hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylate. In the above process, a cooling condenser 14 having a structure of vertical double-pipe or multitubular heat-exchanger is used as a vertical falling film cooling condenser. Condensed liquid is supplied to the condenser from the top, flowed down along the inner wall of a heat-transfer pipe and made to countercurrently contact with monomer vapor introduced from the bottom of the condenser to effect quick condensation of the vapor and cooling of the condensed liquid. The titled compound is obtained as the condensate. EFFECT:Superheated vapor sufficiently effective in preventing the polymerization can be condensed and collected to enable smooth continuous distillation operation.