US EPA

7909935 

Journal Article 

Catalytic activity of anion-modified zirconia, alumina and silica in the esterification of benzyl alcohol with acetic acid 

D'Souza, J; Nagaraju, N 

2006 

Yes 

Indian Journal of Chemical Technology
ISSN: 0971-457X 

13 

6 

605-613 

English 

WOS:000242839100011 

The catalytic activity of zirconia, alumina and silica and their sulphate, phosphate and borate modified forms has been studied in the liquid phase esterification of benzyl alcohol with acetic acid for the synthesis of benzyl acetate. All these catalysts have been found to be active for the formation of benzyl acetate with 100% selectivity. A small amount of dibenzyl ether was formed only in the case of sulphated zirconia when refluxed for more than 12 h. The active sites with 'weak to intermediate' acid strengths may be responsible for the catalytic activity towards the esterification. Sulphated zirconia is the most suitable catalyst providing 53 to 90% yield of benzyl acetate when refluxed for 30 min to 24 h with 0.1 to 3 g of the catalyst. This catalyst has been found to be effective in catalyzing the esterification of n-propanol, iso-propanol, n-butanol and iso-butunol with acetic acid to form the respective esters in good yields. 

esterification; benzyl acetate; solid acids; sulphate-; borate-; phosphate-modified zirconia; alumina and silica