Abstract

Study on the catalytic behaviors of expansible graphite in the synthesis of acetic ester and propionic ester

Author(s): Rui-Nian Lin, Xiu-Yan Pang, Ming-Yan Xu, Xiaoli Hu, Xin Su, Jin-Huan Liu

The catalytic activity of the prepared expandable graphite was studied taking the synthesis of acetic ester and propionic ester as probe reaction. Expandable graphite was prepared with KMnO4 as oxidant, H2SO4 as inserting reagent.And it was analyzed with expanded volume, X-ray diffraction, Energy dispersion spectrum and thermal gravimetric mass spectrum analysis. Experimental results show: expandable graphite shows better catalytic activity for the synthesis of propyl acetate, butyl acetate, ethyl propionate, propyl propionate and butyl propionate, all the ester yields are above 95%. As for acetic ether, the yield is only 50%. The ester yield increases with the increase of alcohol molecular weight and the reaction temperature. When expandable graphite is repeatedly used, its catalytic activity decreases due to the increase of mass transfer resistance, but its expansion performance is not affected. The catalysis mechanism is discussed, and expandable graphite is a good solid acid catalyst.