Microwave Assisted Facile Synthesis of Butyl Acetate Over Dealuminated Beta Zeolite

Solventless esterification of n‐butanol with acetic acid was investigated over original and partially dealuminated Beta zeolite catalysts. A mild organic acid, para‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) of varied molar concentration was used for controlled dealumination of Beta zeolite under microwave heating. The effect of acidity modulation on the conversion of acetic acid and the recyclability of the used catalytic material was studied. The structural integrity, surface area, and the acidity of the original and modified catalyst samples were examined through XRD, BET,, and TPD ammonia techniques respectively. The reaction was investigated under both conventional and microwave heating maintaining similar experimental conditions. Observed results showed nearly similar acetic acid conversion in both modes of heating, but reactions in microwave heating were found to be considerably faster than conventional mode. The results reveal that the solventless esterification under microwave irradiation is an efficient green route for the esterification of n‐butanol with acetic acid. The esterification of n‐butanol with acetic acid over dealuminated Beta zeolite catalyst is investigated under solvent free conditions. Para‐toluene sulfonic acid (p‐TSA) is employed for controlled dealumination of Beta zeolite under microwave heating. The resulting dealuminated catalysts are characterized using XRD, BET, and TPD‐NH3. The activity of these catalysts in esterification is examined under microwave heating. The solvent less synthesis of butyl ester over dealuminated beta zeolite under microwave heating is proved to be an efficient green route method.