METHANOL FORMIC-ACID ESTERIFICATION EQUILIBRIUM IN SULFURIC-ACID-SOLUTIONS - INFLUENCE OF SODIUM-SALTS

Molar equilibrium quotients of methanol-formic acid esterification wer e measured in the concentration range 0-5 M sulfuric acid in the prese nce and absence of sodium sulfate and sodium nitrate. The sulfuric aci d and sodium salts shift equilibrium in favor of methyl formate. Sulfu ric acid appears to catalyze the rate at which the system approaches e quilibrium. Temperature had no measureable influence on the measured q uotients. All of the data measured at 25-degrees-C were correlated wit h an expression of the form ln(K(e)) = A + B[H2SO4] + C[Na2SO4] + D[Na NO3] with reasonable accuracy. This expression has application in mode ling of reactors in commercial chlorine dioxide processes that are bas ed on methanol-chlorate chemistry.