一种简便的酯合成法

A CONVENIENT WAY OF ESTERIFICATION

酯化反应是一个可逆反应,在索氏提取器中装入干燥剂除去生成的水,可使反应趋于完成,无需预先制备无水醇,操作简单,收率较高。

The interaction between an acid and an alcohol is a reversible process. Consequently, esters can be prepared by distilling a mixture of the acid, the alcohol and toluene (or benzene) in the presence of a little strong acid. An azeotropic mixture of alcohol, toluene and water passes over, and the corresponding ester can be afforded. Here we report a simpler procedure of esterification. A mixture of the acid, alcohol and a solvent was boiled in the presence of a little strong acid. The vapour was condensed into a Soxhlet apparatus in which certain dehydrating agent (anhydrous magnesium sulfate, etc.) was placed. The water formed was thus removed, and the alcohol and solvent returned to the reaction mixture. A high yield of the ester was thus obtained.