Esterification of Succinic Acid Using Sulfated Zirconia Supported on SBA‐15

FEDERICO L. AGUZÍN; MARÍA L. MARTÍNEZ; ANDREA R. BELTRAMONE; CRISTINA L. PADRÓ; NORA B. OKULIK

Chemical Engineering & Technology

Wiley

Año: 2021

1521-4125

Catalytic esterification of succinic acid with ethanol to obtain diethyl succinate (DES), a nontoxic plasticizer, is reported. Three sulfated zirconias supported on SBA‐15 [SZ‐SBA‐15(X)] with Si/Zr molar ratios (X) of 10, 20, and 30 were synthesized and characterized. N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms and X‐ray diffraction patterns evidenced preservation of the ordered mesoporous structure of the catalysts after incorporation of Zr. Yields of DES greater than 85 % were obtained at the final reaction time by using SZ‐SBA‐15(10) and SZ‐SBA‐15(20) catalysts, which were higher than those achieved with Amberlyst 36. Reuse of the SZ‐SBA‐15(20) catalyst showed that, even though the structure of the support was preserved, decreases in sulfur concentration and in the DES yield occurred.