Synthesis of Benzyl Benzoate Catalyzed by Quaternary Ammonium Salt as Phase Transfer Catalyst

The nucleophilic substitution reaction of producing benzyl benzoate by sodium benzoate and benzyl chloride in phase transfer catalysis process was studied.The catalytic performances of several quaternary ammonium salts as the phase-transfer catalyst were examined,and found that phase transfer catalyst((C4H9)4 NI) was the preferred one,the yield of benzyl benzoate would be up to more than 90% under the conditions as follows: n(sodium benzoate) /n(benzyl chloride)=1.0∶1.3,temperature of 110 ℃,reaction time of 2.5~3.0 h,mole ratio of catalyst and sodium benzoate 0.06 and pH value between 5 and 6.