Reaction kinetics of the catalytic esterification of acrylic acid with propylene glycol

The kinetics of esterification of acrylic acid with propylene glycol has been studied in the presence of Amberlyst-15 as a heterogeneous catalyst. The reaction was realized in a batch reactor at different temperatures and initial reactant mol ratios. The simultaneous dimerization/polymerization of acrylic acid and products, in addition to the reversible esterification reaction, was proposed as the reaction mechanism. Kinetic equations corresponding to the reaction mechanism have also been developed. Temperature dependence of the reaction rates and activation energies was determined. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.