Production of alkyl succinates and alkyl malonates using heterogeneous catalysis

Abstract

Malonic acid and succinic acid are biomass-derived molecules with potential to be transformed into valuable and specialized chemicals. The influence of parameters such as temperature, molar ratio of reactants and catalyst loading on the esterifications of malonic acid and succinic acid was analyzed and it was concluded that these reactions are sensitive to temperature and to catalyst loading, but are not sensitive to the variation of the molar ratio. Catalysts based on dodecatungstophosphoric acid supported on oxidized and unoxidized activated carbon were synthesized and their catalytic performances in the esterification of malonic acid were evaluated. The results were compared in reactions using unsupported dodecatungstophosphoric acid, Amberlyst 36 and in absence of catalyst. Dodecatungstophosphoric acid supported on activated carbon is an active catalyst for esterification reactions.