Catalytic synthesis of isoamyl butyrate with copper benzenesulfonate

Isoamyl butyrate was prepared by using copper benzenesulfonate as catalyst and cyclohexane as azeotropic water-carrying agent in the esterification of isoamyl alcohol with butyric acid.High yield of 98 % of isoamyl butyrate can be obtained.Reaction conditions are 0.167 mol butyric acid,1.1∶1 molar ratio of isoamyl alcohol to butyric acid,1.0 % catalyst(molar percent of butyric acid),2.5 h,85 ℃～90 ℃,5 mL cyclohexane.The catalyst can be used repeatedly for 8 times without signicant loss of activity,and the yield of 90.2 % of ester can be maintained.