Characterization of sulfonated poly(styrene-divinylbenzene) and poly(divinylbenzene) and its application as catalysts in esterification reaction

Polymeric supports based on divinylbenzene (DVB) were prepared by aqueous suspension polymerization in presence or absence of styrene (S), using toluene and n-heptane as diluents of the monomers. Poly(S-DVB) and poly(DVB) were sultonated with sulfuric acid in presence of 1,2-dichloroethane. The influence of the morphological structure of the supports and as a consequence of the catalyst on the esterification reaction of acetic acid with n-butanol was evaluated. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.