Synthesis of a Series of Methyl Benzoates through Esterification with a Zr/Ti Solid Acid Catalyst

Methyl benzoate (MB) compounds are prepared by reacting various benzoic acids with methanol using an acidic catalyst. In this study, the solid acids of zirconium metal solids fixed with various substances were studied. We determined that zirconium metal catalysts with fixed Ti had the best activity. The catalytic synthesis of a series of MB compounds using titanium zirconium solid acids was studied. The direct condensation of benzoic acid and methanol using a metallic Lewis acid without other auxiliary Bronsted acids is reported for the first time.