The kinetics and mechanism of the formation of phthalate mono-esters and phthalate di- esters from phthalic anhydride and a variety of mono-and di-hydric alcohols are reported and discussed. The kinetic work is extended to a mechanistic study of the same reactions using titanium tetra-n-butoxide and tri-n-butyltin ethoxide as catalysts. The results support a mechanism involving alkoxy ligand exchange at the metal as a crucial step in the catalysis.
