Abstract
Esterification of acetic acid with isoamyl alcohol over expandable graphite catalyst
Author(s): Gai-qingXi, Xiu-yan Pang, Yi-shuang YangThe catalysis of expandable graphite to esterification of acetic acid with isoamyl alcohol has been studied. X-ray diffraction spectrum of expandable graphite testified the existence of H2SO4 intercalation reaction. The influences of catalyst amount, materials ratio, reaction time, expandable volume of the expandable graphite on esterification reaction were studied through L9(34) orthogonal experiment. Optimum reaction condition were gained as: n(isoamyl alcohol):n(acetic acid)=1.5:1, w(catalyst with a expandable volume of 290mLg-1) =7.5%total amount ofmaterials, reaction time 1.5h, and temperature keeping at the boiling point. Yield of isoamyl acetate reached 96.0%, and it increased with the expandable volume of expandable graphite. It was testified that expandable graphite was a kind of effective catalyst in the esterification of acetic acid with isoamyl alcohol.
