Synthesis of monododecylphosphate over aluminum phosphotungstate catalyst

Monododecylphosphate was synthesized via esterification of lauryl alcohol with phosphoric acid over aluminum phosphotungstate catalyst.The effects of alcohol-to-acid molar ratio,reaction time, amount of water-carrying agent and dosage of the catalyst on the yield were investigated.The optimal con- dition was obtained by orthogonal experiment,i.e.,aluminium phosphotungstate as the catalyst, n (lauryl alcohol):n (phosphoric acid) = 0.04:0.05,the amount of water-carrying agent toluene 0.075 mol, catalyst dosage 0.2 g(mass fraction of the catalyst in total reaction system 1%),reaction temperature = reflux temperature and reaction time 1.5 h.Lauryl alcohol conversion of 99.8% and selectivity to monododecylphosphate of 99.5% were attained under the optimal condition.