A method can be used for producing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by reactive rectification. The alkali metal is selected from sodium and potassium. In a first part of the method, the alcohol is converted in counter flow with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. In a second part of the method, the mixture of alcohol and water obtained is separated in a rectification column, and the alcoholic vapour arising is condensed, as a result of which the temperature thereof increases. The energy dissipated during cooling of the condensed vapour is then used in the first part of the method. This permits an energy-efficient production of the alkali metal alcoholates concerned.

A method can be used for producing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by reactive rectification. The alkali metal is selected from sodium and potassium. In a first part of the method, the alcohol is converted in counter flow with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. In a second part of the method, the mixture of alcohol and water obtained is separated in a rectification column, and the alcoholic vapour arising is condensed, as a result of which the temperature thereof increases. The energy dissipated during cooling of the condensed vapour is then used in the first part of the method. This permits an energy-efficient production of the alkali metal alcoholates concerned.

A method can be used for producing alkali metal alcoholates in counter flow by reactive rectification. The alkali metal is selected from sodium and potassium. In a first part of the method, the alcohol is converted in counter flow with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. In a second part of the method, the mixture of alcohol and water obtained is separated in a rectification column, and the alcoholic vapour arising is condensed, as a result of which the temperature thereof increases. The energy dissipated during cooling of the condensed vapour is then used in the first part of the method. This permits an energy-efficient production of the alkali metal alcoholates concerned.

A process can be used for preparing sodium and potassium alkoxides. The process is characterized by two simultaneously implemented but spatially separated reactions of an alcohol ROH with NaOH, and ROH with KOH, to give sodium alkoxide and potassium alkoxide, respectively. The vapours formed in this case contain the alcohol used and water. The vapours are combined, and the resulting mixed vapour is fed to a common distillation with recovery of the alcohol.

A process can be used for preparing sodium and potassium alkoxides. The process is characterized by two simultaneously implemented but spatially separated reactions of an alcohol ROH with NaOH, and ROH with KOH, to give sodium alkoxide and potassium alkoxide, respectively. The vapours formed in this case contain the alcohol used and water. The vapours are combined, and the resulting mixed vapour is fed to a common distillation with recovery of the alcohol.

A process can be used for preparing sodium and potassium alkoxides. The process is characterized by two simultaneously implemented but spatially separated reactions of an alcohol ROH with NaOH, and ROH with KOH, to give sodium alkoxide and potassium alkoxide, respectively. The vapours formed in this case contain the alcohol used and water. The vapours are combined, and the resulting mixed vapour is fed to a common distillation with recovery of the alcohol.

Process for preparing metal alkoxides by means of transalcoholization, wherein a lower metal alkoxide is fed via a side feed into a reactive distillation column comprising a rectifying section situated above the feed and a stripping section situated below the feed; a higher alcohol is fed into the stripping section, the bottom and/or a bottoms circuit of the column; a solution of a higher metal alkoxide in the higher alcohol is taken off at the bottom of the column and/or from the bottoms circuit; and a vapor comprising lower alcohol is taken off at the top of the column, the vapor is at least partially condensed and a substream of the condensate is recycled to the top of the column as reflux. The process enables the preparation of metal alkoxides with a reduced energy requirement.

A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.

A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.

A process produces sodium and/or potassium alkoxides in countercurrent by reactive rectification. Alcohol is reacted in countercurrent with the respective alkali metal hydroxide. The vapours containing alcohol and water are separated in at least two serially arranged rectification columns. The energy of the vapour obtained in the second rectification is utilized for operating the first rectification. This specific energy integration coupled with establishing a certain pressure difference in the two rectification stages makes it possible to cover a particularly large proportion of the energy required for the rectification through heating steam and minimizes the use of electricity.