Catalytic Synthesis of Phenoxyacetic Acid with Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide

Phenoxyacetic acid was synthesized with chloroacetate and phenol,and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide was used as catalyst.Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide had a higher catalytic activity and could be accelerate the synthesis of phenoxyacetic acid.Molar ratio of phenol to chloroacetic acid,catalyst amount,reaction time and reaction temperature on yield and the performance of the repeated use of catalyst were studied.The best reaction conditions were as followed:at 80℃,molar ratio of phenol to chloroacetate 1:3,catalyst weight of 1.5g,reaction time 1.5h.The yield was 52.74%.