Preparation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecatungstophosphate and its catalytic performance for esterification of ethanol and acetic acid

1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium dodecatungstophosphate catalyst (bmim]₃PW₁₂O₄₀) with high water tolerance was prepared from 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide (bmim]Br) and phosphotungstic acid (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀). The catalyst was characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry, n-BuNH₂ potentiometric titration, elemental analysis and so on. Its catalytic activity for esterification of ethanol and acetic acid to ethyl acetate was measured. The results show that there were three crystal-water molecules in the bmim]₃PW₁₂O₄₀ catalyst, and it preserved the primary Keggin structure and acid strength of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀. The acid amount of bmim]₃PW₁₂O₄₀ catalyst was less than that of H₃PW₁₂O₄₀. The bmim]₃PW₁₂O₄₀ catalyst exhibited higher catalytic activity and reusability in the esterification of ethanol and acetic acid to ethyl acetate. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Catalysis, 2008, 29(7) (in Chinese)