Abstract:

We studied the catalytic synthesis of isoamyl butyrate and isoamyl propionate by using the selfmade bis(1pyridine) butylidene double bissulfate (［Py-HSO₄］₂). The esters were characterized by FTIR and refractive index measurement. We determined the optimum reaction conditions for synthesis of esters by changing n(acid)∶n(alcohol), the amount of catalyst and reaction time, investigated the reuse performance of ionic liquid, and discussed the different reasons both of the esterification rate by quantum chemistry calculation and thermodynamic theories. The results show that the esterification rates of isoamyl butyrate and isoamyl propionate are 9594% and 9578% under the optimum conditions of esterification, respectively.

Key words: ionic liquid, isoamyl butyrate, isoamyl propionate, catalyst