Synthesis of Ethyl Acetate Catalyzed with SnCl_4·5H_2O/C

Using SnCl_4·5H_2O/C as catalyst, acetic acid and ethanol as raw materials, ethyl acetate was prepared via direct esterification. The factors such as ratio between alcohol and acid, reaction temperature, and dosage of catalyst influencing on esterification were discussed. And the optimum reaction conditions were obtained as follows: the dosage of catalyst was 2.5g, ratio of ethanol to acid was 1∶1.5, reaction temperature was about 95℃. The rate of reutilization of catalyst was good, and the yield of title compound could be up to 93.38%.