Process for the preparation of 2-hydrox-4-methylthiobutyric acid esters

Procedure for the preparation of a-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid ester 2 as a monomer said process comprising the following steps: directly obtaining 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric from the hydrolysis of 2-hydroxy-4- methylthiobutyronitrile, said 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric a mixture of monomers, dimers and higher oligomers acid comprising; reacting said 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyric acid with an alcohol in the presence of water and an acid catalyst at a temperature of 30 to 150 ° C.