Synthesis of tributyl citrate catalyzed by AlPW_(12)O_40)

AlPW12O40 was used as a heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis of tributyl citrate.The effects of dosage of catalyst,ratio of the reactants,reaction temperature and reaction time were investigated.The optimal reaction condition was as follows: citric acid 0.1 mol,n-butyl alcohol/citric acid molar ratio 4.5∶1,catalyst dosage 2.5 %(based on mass of citric acid),reaction time 4 h,reaction temperature 150 ℃.Tributyl citrate yield of 93.5 % was attained.