Synthesis of sec-butyl propionate catalyzed by diphenylammonium methanesulfonate

The esterification of acetic acid with sec-butanol catalyzed by diphenylammonium methanesulfonate was reported. The effect of different factors, such as reaction time, the amount of catalysts and the mole ratio of sec-butanol to acetic acid on the yield of sec-butyl acetate was carefully studied. The experimental results show that the best reaction conditions are as the followings: when the amount of acetic acid is 0.1 mol, the mole ratio of sec-butanol to acetic acid is 1.4,the mass of catalysts is 0.8 g (3.2 mmol), cyclohexane as the water-carrying agent is 8 mL. By reacting 45 min, the yield of sec-butyl acetate reaches 95.7%. The product is colorless and transparent. The catalyst keeps high capability after five times reusing. The process is of the mild reaction condition, short reaction time, easy manipulation, and no waste of three kinds produced in the after-treatment. The product was characterized by IR.