Method for manufacturing DMA

Preparation of dimethyladipate (DMA) by esterification of adipic acid (ADS) with methanol comprises: (a) converting a molar excess of methanol with ADS at a temperature greater than room temperature up to the boiling temperature of the methanol, (b) neutralizing the conversion product (a) with alkaline hydroxide, (c) removing the methanol from methanol/water mixture by distillation, followed by adding xylene as auxiliary solvent, (d) separating the aqueous phase containing monomethyladipate (MMA) from xylene, (e) separating the xylene from DMA by distillation, and (f) purifying DMA.