Study on Synthesis Technology of Isoamyl Butyrate Catalyzed by p-Toluene Sulphonic Acid

With using p-toluene sulphonic acid as the catalyst,isoamyl butyrate was synthesized from butyric acid and isoamyl alcohol.The effects of the catalyst amount,reaction time,water-carrying agent,molar ratio of alcohol to acid on esterification rate were discussed and the optimal reaction conditions were obtained:took 0.2 mol butyric acid as basis,the molar ratio of isoamyl alcohol to butyric acid was 1.5:1,the catalyst amount was 0.5g,the reaction time was 2h and the water-carrying agent cyclohexane was 7.5mL.Under these conditions,the highest esterification rate could reach 95.8%.p-Toluene sulphonic acid catalyst has many advantages,such as high activity,less required amount,high esterification rate,non-corrosion and non-pollution to the environment compared with sulfuric acid which is applying in industry at present.And this catalyst is also low cost and easy to get,its properties are stable,and it can be used conveniently and has a good developing foreground.