Kinetics of the liquid phase synthesis and hydrolysis of butyl lactate catalysed by cation exchange resin

Abstract

Abstract Esterification of lactic acid with butanol catalysed by cation‐exchange resin was carried out in a batch reactor in dioxane and toluene. The reaction rate was found to be first order with respect to catalyst and acid concentrations. The inhibiting effect of water and butanol has been evaluated. The rate data were correlated with a kinetic model based on inhibition by water and butanol.