Synthesis of Long Chain Fatty Acid Esters by Transesterification Using Carbon Based Solid Acid Catalyst

Carbon based solid acid catalyst functionalized with sulfonic acid groups was synthesized under atmospheric nitrogen atmosphere using furaldehyde and 2 hydroxyethanesulphonic acid as raw materials and its characteristics were studied. The catalyst was used in transesterification of methyl laurate with n butanol. The optimum reaction conditions of the transesterification were studied. The results show that the transesterification ratio of methyl laurate reach 95.1% under the optimum reaction conditions as follows：reaction temperature 120 ℃, reaction time 12 h, the amount of catalyst 0.02 g/mmol. Extended reactions were also carried out in high yield. The catalyst was reused for 10 times while the ratio of transesterification would not decrease.