Efficient green catalysis for the production of n-butyl acetate over Keggin-type Snx/4H3-xPW12O40

Abstract

In this paper, a Keggin-type stannic phosphotungstate with the formula of Snx/4H3-xPW12O40 (x = 1, 2, 3) serving as a green catalyst was prepared for synthesis of n-butyl acetate from acetic acid and n-butanol. The highest esterification yield of n-butyl acetate (96.2%) was achieved by 0.48 wt% Sn1/2HPW12O40 with 2 of the mole ratio of n-butanol to acetic acid under 130 °C for 2.5 h. After five repetitions, the esterification yield still reached 86.3%. This finding provides a new window for Keggin-type heteropolyacid to achieve green and high efficient catalysis under the convenient condition.