Catalytic Performance of SBA-15-Supported Poly (Styrenesulfonic Acid) in the Esterification of Acetic Acid with n-Heptanol

Abstract

A polystyrene sulfonic acid-functionalized mesoporous silica (SBA-15-PSSA) catalyst was synthesized via an established multistep route, employing 2-bromo-2-methylpropionyl bromide as initiator of atom transfer radical polymerization. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric/differential thermal, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed outstanding structural characteristics of the catalyst, including highly ordered mesopores, high surface area (726 m2/g), and adequate estimated concentrations of active sites (0.70 mmol H+/g). SBA-15-PSSA’s catalytic performance was evaluated in the esterification of acetic acid and n-heptanol as a model system at various temperatures (50–110 °C), catalyst loads (0.1–0.3 g), and reaction times (0–160 min). The conversion percentage of acetic acid was found to increase with the temperature, catalyst load, and reaction time. Furthermore, results indicated a fast conversion in the first 20 min of the reaction, with remarkable conversion values at 110 °C, reaching 86%, 94%, and 97% when the catalyst load was 0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g, respectively; notably, at this temperature, 100% conversation was achieved after 60 min. At 110 °C, the reaction conducted in the presence of 0.3 g of catalyst displayed more than 6.4 times the efficiency of the uncatalyzed reaction. Such activity is explained by the concomitant presence in the polymer of strong sulfonic acid moieties and a relatively high hydrophobic surface, with adequate numbers of active sites for ester production.