Molecular Sieves as Green Heterogeneous Acidic Catalyst for Esterification Reaction

Molecular sieves and its acid-modified forms were examined for their performance as a solid acid catalyst in the esterification reaction of acetic acid with different alcohols. Particle size in terms of crystallite diameter via XRD, FTIR spectroscopy inorder to study the surface functionality, surface acidity studies using pyridine adsorption method via FTIR spectroscopy was being carried out. It was found that Molecular sieves modified using Sulfuric acid gave highest yield for the esterification reaction.