Production of isoamyl propionate: use of Amberlyst-15 in batch reactor and packed bed reactor

The synthesis of isoamyl propionate by esterification of propionic acid with isoamyl alcohol is presented in this work using ion exchange resin Amberlyst-15. In batch kinetics, about 33% conversion of acid was obtained in 3 hours under the conditions such as temperature of 343 K, 1:3 molar ratio, Amberlyst-15 catalyst with 5% loading (w/w of limiting component). For enhancing the performance of the reaction and to make the process continuous, the reaction was conducted in a packed bed reactor. Conversion of 53% was obtained in 3 hours, thus indicating the possibility of process intensification.