Synthesis of Diethyl Sebacate Using Silicotungstic Acid as Catalyst

The use of silicotungstic acid as catalysis in the synthesis of diethyl sebacate from sebacic acid was studied. The best reactoin conditions were 0.1 g sebacic acid, 13 mL anhydrous ethanol, 13 mL benzene as water carrier, 0.70 g silicotungstic acid (newly made or 1.06 g silicotungstic acid left for 48 years) as catalyst, refluxing for 3 h, the yield 95.81%(or 93.05%). Other catalyst studied: FeCl 3·6H 2O≈silicotungstic acid (new produced)silicotungstic acid (left for 48 years)concentrated H 2SO 4AlCl 3tungstophosphoric acid (left for 48 years). It was proved that silicotungstic acid is a good catalyst of the reaction, with high activity、 good chemical stability, good repeatability and little waste discharged.