Reaction of dicyclopentadiene with formic acid and chloroacetic acid with and without cation-exchange resins as catalysts

Abstract

The uncatalysed and catalysed (with cation-exchange resin) esterification of formic acid and chloroacetic acid, with dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), i.e. 4,7-methano-3a,4,7,7a-tetrahydroindene, was carried out. The effect of various parameters, e.g. speed of agitation, catalyst loading, mole ratio of the reactants, temperature, concentration of formic acid in aqueous solutions were studied to optimise the reaction conditions. DCPD cam be quantitatively converted to the corresponding ester of formic acid even without a catalyst; the effect of catalysts is very substantial. A comparison of the rate of esterification between formic acid and chloroacetic acid, with DCPD was made. The experimental data for esterification of formic acid with DCPD were analysed and correlated by the model based on Eley-Rideal mechanism.