Kinetic Modeling of Ethylene Glycol Monoesterification

The monoesterification of ethylene glycol under isothermal conditions was conducted using benzoic acid in methane‐sulfonic acid/Al₂O₃ as a catalyst. Using this reagent, glycol was selectively monoesterified with high yield. The reactions were performed within an automated batch reactor under equimolar conditions, constant rotational frequency of the stirrer, and within the temperature range from 65 to 85°C. The rate constant related to this reaction and to the corresponding reverse reaction, activation energy, and preexponential factor was derived from experimental data. It has been concluded that under these conditions the formation of dibenzoate was successfully prevented.