Isoamyl acetate synthesis

Identifier:  TFG:1706

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TFG1706

Authors:  Martínez Pérez, Irene

Abstract:
The synthesis of esters has played a most important role in organic synthesis from its start. Esters constitute functional groups of chemical significance, in numerous natural and synthetic compounds, and also they have utility in diverse fields both in the industry and in laboratory. The aim of this thesis is the synthesis of the isoamyl acetate, which is obtained by the condensation of isoamyl acohol with acetic acid through a Fischer-Speier esterification. The main objective of this final thesis is to develop new methods to obtain the maximum conversion of the isoamyl acetate synthesis. In this way, the best reaction conditions for this shynthesis will be known. To achieve this goal, different pathways will be followed. On the one hand, the rate of the reaction can be influenced by adding a catalyst such as an acid. Mineral liquid acids, Lewis acids and Bronsted acids are widely used in industry. However, their corrosive and hazardous nature, the subsequent need for neutralization generating large quantities of aqueous waste, and the difficulty to separate them from the reaction medium restrict their industrial applicability. To further improve the efficiency and sustainability of the esterification process, recoverable heterogeneous solid catalysts are used. The advantages of this catalyst include reduction of corrosion, ease of separation from the reaction medium, good recyclability and enhanced product selectivity. On the other hand, the biggest problem frequently encountered in esterification technology arises from equilibration. The condensation between an alcohol and an acid is slow and reversible, thus the equilibrium can be shifted to the desired product by adding excess of one of the reagents or by the removal of products. Finally, is studied the use of carbodiimide activators through the Steglich Esterification, a reaction that has been used to facilitate the esterification of acids and alcohols and does not require high temperatures.