Synthesis of butyl propionate using novel aluminophosphate molecular sieveas catalyst

The esterification of propionic acid with n-butanol at 126-133 degrees C in the presence of catalytic quantities of novel aluminophosphate molecular s ieve AP-9 gives the corresponding esterified product in a high yield. The e ffects of the amount of catalyst used, reaction time, the molar ratio of al cohol to acid, the amount of cyclohexane used, reaction temperature, the ki nds of catalyst, and the methods of preparing the catalysts, on the synthes is of butyl propionate have been investigated. The yield of butyl propionat e obtained was 85.3% when the reaction conditions employed were as follows: catalyst: propionic acid: n-butanol: cyclohexane = 1.0 g: 1 mol: 1.2 mol: 5.0 ml, at 126-133 degrees C for 5 h. The aluminophosphate molecular sieve AP-9 can be recovered and reused to give almost the same yield as that give n by a fresh aluminophosphate molecular sieve. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B. V. All rights reserved.