Catalytic Activity of Copper Methanesulfonate in Synthesis of Benzyl Butyrate

Copper methanesulfonate is used as catalyst in esterification of benzyl alcohol with butyric acid. The amount of catalyst, reaction time and the molar ratio of alcohol to acid have been investigated. The esterification yield reaches to 96. 9% under the conditions of 0. 167 mol butyric acid, 1. 2 :1 molar ratio of benzyl alcohol to butyric acid, 0. 125% catalyst (based on the molar percent of butyric acid) , 1. 5 - 2. 0 h reaction time, 5 mL cyclohexane as water-carrying agent and at refluxing temperature. Compared with other Lewis acids, copper methanesulfonate exhibits higher esterification yield. After being recycled 8 times, the esterification yield of copper methanesulfonate is still above 94. 5%.