Study on synthesis of benzyl acetate by means of phase transfer catalysis

Benzyl acetate was synthesized with anhydrous sodium acetate and benzyl chloride as raw materials by means of phase transter catalysis(PTC).The influence of the catalysts such as polyglycol(PEG),polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)and benzyl triethyl ammonium bromide(TEBA)on esterification was studied.The result showed that the process was simple and quick,the yield was higher using benzyl triethyl ammonium bromide as catalyst.The factors such as the molar ratio of anhydrous sodium acetate to benzyl chloride,the amount of catalyst and reaction time were investigated.The result showed that the yield rate of the product was 84.67 % when the mole ratio of reactants was 1: 1.2,the amount of catalyst was 2g,reaction time was 2h and reaction temperature was 110～120℃.The content of benzyl acetate was 93.86% by gas chromatograph.The product structure from its IR was match with benzyl acetate.