Synthesis of n-Butyl Acetate Catalyzed by Calcium Sulfate Whisker

The catalytic performance of calcium sulfate whisker in the ester synthesis was studied with using the synthesis of n-butyl acetate as a typical esterification reaction.The effects of the molar ratio of reactant,catalyst amount,reaction time,water-carrying agent,and the re-use times of the catalyst on the esterification yield were investigated.The experimental results showed that when used calcium sulfate whiskers as a catalyst for synthesis of n-butyl acetate,the yield could reach more than 91%.The optimal reaction conditions were obtained as follows: molar ratio of n(glacial acetic acid):n(n-butanol)=1.1:1,the amount of catalyst calcium sulfate whisker was 3% of the n-butanol mass,reaction time was 6h,the amount of water-carrying agent toluene was 14.8% of the n-butanol mass.The re-use times of catalyst nearly had no effect on its catalytic performance.