CA Hybrids

A process for the preparation of esters, including non-distillable esters, of 2-cyanoacrylic acid comprises reacting 2-cyanoacrylic acid or an acid halide thereof with an alcohol, including a diol or polyol, or a phenol in the presence of an inert organic solvent under polymerisation inhibiting conditions and, additionally, in the presence of an acid catalyst when 2-cyanoacrylic acid is a reactant, continually removing the water or hydrohalic acid produced and recovering the ester.

A process for the preparation of 2-cyanoacryloyl chloride in pure form comprises reacting 2-cyanoacrylic acid with a chlorinating agent, said reaction being carried out under side-reaction and polymerisation inhibiting conditions. A preferred chlorinating agent is a volatile chlorinating agent which forms only volatile by-products during the course of the reaction. Suitable volatile chlorinating agents include oxalyl chloride, sulfur oxychloride, trifluoroacetyl chloride and phosgene.