On Synthesis of Benzyl Propionate Using Solid Superacid S_2O~(2-)_8 /ZrO_2-Al_2O_3 as Catalyst

Benzyl propionate was synthesized by the esterification of benzyl alcohol with propionic acid using solid superacid S 2O 2- 8 /ZrO 2-Al 2O 3 as catalyst. The results show that S 2O 2- 8 /ZrO 2-Al 2O 3 had higher catalytic activity for the esterification reaction. The effects of benzyl alcohol/propionic acid molar ratio, the amount of catalyst used,reaction temperature and time,and the amount of cyclohexane used on the yield of benzyl propionate have been investigated. Under the typical reaction conditions(benzyl alcohol/ propionic acid molar ratio is 1.2∶1,catalyst/propionic acid is 1.0g∶ 0.33mol ,reaction temperature is 160℃,reaction time is 3.0h,cyclohexane is 10ml),the yield of the ester could reach 86.6% .The catalyst can be easily recovered and reused and has very good activity stability on the esterification reaction of benzyl alcohol with propionic acid.