Synthesis of octyl acetate catalyzed by the solid acid prepared with waste peanut shell

A novel carbon-based solid acid catalyst was prepared with waste peanut shell as raw material. The effects of mass ratio of sulfuric acid to peanut shell, sulfonation temperature and sulfonation time on the yield and acid capacity were investigated. The activity of the catalyst was evaluated by esterification of n-octanol and acetic acid. The effects of the mole ratio of acetic acid to octanol, catalyst dosage, reaction time and reaction temperature on the yield of octyl acetate were investigated. The optimal esterification conditions were obtained by orthogonal experiments: mole ratio of acetic acid to octanol 0.6∶1, reaction temperature 90 ℃, mass ratio of catalyst to acetic acid 10% and reaction time2 h, with the yield of octyl acetate being 97. 4%. The catalyst still kept relatively high activity when reused more than five times.