Functionalized Polyethylene Glycol as a Catalyst for Esterification of Salicylic Acid

Abstract In this work, two catalysts based on polyethylene glycol (PEG) containing sulfonic acid group and the −COOH of citric (CA) were synthesized. Characterization −SO 3 H functionalized PEG has been carried out using FT–IR. The acidity PEG–SO PEG–CA explored to investigate their catalytic efficiency towards eco-friendly production methyl salicylate via esterification salicylic methanol as a reactant well solvent. Methanol molar ratios 4:1, 6:1, 8:1, 10:1 was applied. sulfonated is found be very active solid catalyst giving high yields (82%) under optimized reaction conditions (10:1 M ratio acid; temperature, 65 °C; time, 150 min with loading 1.5%. comparison activity 2 SO 4, H, PEG-CA; surpassed both 4 PEG–CA. IEC meq/g. And maximum water uptake PEG-SO 8.25%.