Silica Chloride: A Versatile Heterogeneous Catalyst for Esterification and Transesterification
K. V. N. S. Srinivas, I. Mahender, Biswanath Das*
*Organic Chemistry Division-I, Indian Institute of Chemical Technology,
Hyderabad-500 007, India, Email: biswanathdas
yahoo.com
K. V. N. S. Srinivas, I. Mahender, B. Das, Synthesis, 2003, 2479-2482.
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-42406
Abstract
Silica chloride is an efficient catalyst for esterification of carboxylic acids with alcohols as well as for transesterification of esters by both alcoholysis and acidolysis.
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Details
Silica chloride is an effective heterogeneous catalyst for esterification and transesterification reactions. It facilitates the esterification of various carboxylic acids (aliphatic, aromatic, and conjugated) with primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols, as well as the transesterification of esters through both alcoholysis and acidolysis. This catalyst addresses the limitations of other methods, such as harsh reaction conditions, long reaction times, and poor yields. Silica chloride is inexpensive, non-hazardous, and easy to handle, making it suitable for both academic and industrial applications. The catalyst can be prepared from silica gel and thionyl chloride and is easily removed from reaction mixtures by filtration. However, its reusability is limited, as yields decrease significantly upon reuse. The study demonstrates that silica chloride can efficiently catalyze esterification and transesterification under mild conditions, producing high yields of esters. This versatility and efficiency make silica chloride a valuable catalyst in organic synthesis.
Key Words
esterification, Fischer Esterification, transesterfication, silica chloride, alcoholysis, acidolysis
ID: J66-Y2003-2070
