Esterification by the Plasma Acidic Water:Novel Application of Plasma Acid

This work explores the possibility of plasma acid as acid catalyst in organic reactions. Plasma acidic water was prepared by dielectric barrier discharge and used to catalyze esterification of n-heptanioc acid with ethanol. It is found that the plasma acidic water has a stable and better performance than sulfuric acid, meaning that it is an excellent acid catalyst. The plasma acidic water would be a promising alternative for classic mineral acid as a more environment friendly acid.

Preparation and Catalytic Application of Novel Water Tolerant Solid Acid Catalysts of Zirconium Sulfate/HZSM-5

Esterification of acrylic acid（AA） to produce AA esters has widespread application in the chemical industry. A series of water tolerant solid acid catalysts was prepared, and characterized by XRD, nitrogen adsorption, TGA-DTA, XPS, and ammonia adsorption FTIR. The effects of Si/Al ratio, zirconium sulfate（ZS） loading on HZSM-5 and calcination temperature on the esterification were investigated. When 20% （mass fraction） ZS is loaded on HZSM-5, the conversion of AA reaches 100%. XRD analysis indicates that ZS is highly dispersed on HZSM-5 because no crystalline structure assigned to ZS is found. Catalytic activity and hydrophobicity of ZS supported on HZSM-5 are higher compared with those of parent ZS or HZSM-5. Results show that this kind of novel catalysts is an efficient water tolerant solid acid catalyst for esterification reactions.

Synthesis of a Macromer, MPEGAA, Used to Prepare an AMPS-modified Polyacrylic Acid Superplasticizer

A macromer, methoxypolyethylene glycol acrylate （MPEGAA）, was synthesized by direct esterification using methoxypolyethylene glycol （MPEG-1200） and acrylic acid （AA） as the main materials. MPEGAA was then used to prepare a polyacrylic acid superplasticizer modified with 2-acrylamido-2- methylpropane sulfonic acid （AMPS）. A single-factor test was performed to investigate the effects of the molar ratio of acid to alcohol （n（AA）/n（MPEG））, inhibitor amount, catalyst amount, temperature, and time of esterification on the synthesis of MPEGAA. The experimental results showed that the optimal esterification conditions were as follows： n（AA）/n（MPEG）, 3.5：1; amount of hydroquinone （as an inhibitor）, 1.2%; amount of para-toluenesulfonic acid （as a catalyst）, 5.5%; reaction temperature, 95 ~C; and reaction time, 6 h. The AMPS- modified polyacrylic acid superplasticizer prepared under the optimal esterification conditions enabled the achievement and maintenance of high cement dispersibility. At an admixture amount of 0.15%, the cement paste fluidity was initially as high as 300 mm, and then decreased to 315 mm after 1 h and to 290 mm after 2 h.

Imidazolium ionic liquid-supported sulfonic acids:Efficient and recyclable catalysts for esterification of benzoic acid

Several imidazolium ionic liquid（IL）-supported sulfonic acids with different anions,[C_3SO_3Hmim]HSO_4,[C_3SO_3Hmim]BF_4, [C_3SO_3 Hmim]PF_6,and[C_3SO_3Hmim]CF_3SO_3,were synthesized and applied as catalysts for esterification reaction of benzoic acid. The experimental results indicate that imidazolium IL-supported sulfonic acid containing anion of HSO_4^- shows the best catalytic activity.Only when less[C_3SO_3Hmim]HSO_4（0.3 equiv.） applied,was the product obtained with high yield of 97%.Furthermore, the produced esters could be separated by decantation,and the catalyst could be reused after the removal of water.