Catalytic Synthesis of Benzyl Acetate with Rare Earth Solid Super Acid SO_4~(2-)/ZrO_2-Nd_2O_3 by Microwave Induced

Benzyl acetate was synthesized by the esterification of benzyl alcohol with acetic acid by using of a new type of rare-earth compound solid superacid SO_4~(2-)/ZrO_2-Nd_2O_3 as catalyst under microwave irradiation. Influence factors on the esterification yield were discussed.The results showed that SO_4~(2-)/ZrO_2-Nd_2O_3 had higher catalytic activity for the esterification reaction. The optimized reaction conditions were: while molar ratio of benzyl alcohol to acetic acid was 2.0 (when acetic acid was 0.2 mol ), the amount of rare earth solid superacids was 1.8 g, the amount of cyclohexane as the water taking reagent was 12 mL, the power of microwave was 550 W, radiation time was 25 min, the esterification rate was about 96.3 %. The catalyst could be easily recovered and reused, and had very good activity stability.