Esterification Reactions Under Solvent Free Conditions
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Ronald Okoth
Abstract
The esterification of 4-ethoxyphenol with phenylacetic acid yields (4-ethoxyphenyl) 2-phenylacetate, a commercial chemical with floral properties largely demanded by perfume-related industries. The purpose of this study is to conduct the benign synthesis of a perfumery grade product with the use of a heterogeneous acid catalyst, rather than a traditional problematic homogeneous acid catalyst, under solventless conditions. Furthermore, the reaction we present is aligned with the principles of green chemistry, which emphasizes benign reagents, minimum waste, and allows for the recycling of recovered and unreacted reagents. The reaction was carried out with an excess amount of 4-ethoxyphenol with limiting phenylacetic acid via a reflux system with the addition of amberlyst-15 to enhance the rate of the reaction and the yield of the desired product. Additionally, the esterification of isoamyl alcohol with glacial acetic acid yields isohexyl acetate, a food flavoring-agent. The on-going synthesis of isohexyl acetate is used as a precursor reaction for the preliminary investigation into solvent-free conditions. In future studies, the heterogeneous catalyst conditions will be applied to the synthesis of isohexyl acetate, in addition to the continuation of solvent-free conditions. Currently, studies are being carried out to reuse the recovered 4-ethoxyphenol and recycled catalyst in future esterification reactions. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) was used to confirm the formation and purity of each product.
Start Date
27-3-2024 10:00 AM
End Date
27-3-2024 10:50 AM
Location
Magnolia Ballroom
Esterification Reactions Under Solvent Free Conditions
Magnolia Ballroom
The esterification of 4-ethoxyphenol with phenylacetic acid yields (4-ethoxyphenyl) 2-phenylacetate, a commercial chemical with floral properties largely demanded by perfume-related industries. The purpose of this study is to conduct the benign synthesis of a perfumery grade product with the use of a heterogeneous acid catalyst, rather than a traditional problematic homogeneous acid catalyst, under solventless conditions. Furthermore, the reaction we present is aligned with the principles of green chemistry, which emphasizes benign reagents, minimum waste, and allows for the recycling of recovered and unreacted reagents. The reaction was carried out with an excess amount of 4-ethoxyphenol with limiting phenylacetic acid via a reflux system with the addition of amberlyst-15 to enhance the rate of the reaction and the yield of the desired product. Additionally, the esterification of isoamyl alcohol with glacial acetic acid yields isohexyl acetate, a food flavoring-agent. The on-going synthesis of isohexyl acetate is used as a precursor reaction for the preliminary investigation into solvent-free conditions. In future studies, the heterogeneous catalyst conditions will be applied to the synthesis of isohexyl acetate, in addition to the continuation of solvent-free conditions. Currently, studies are being carried out to reuse the recovered 4-ethoxyphenol and recycled catalyst in future esterification reactions. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) was used to confirm the formation and purity of each product.