Halloysite,
a natural clay with a hollow tubular structure, was
studied as a catalyst for the esterification of biomass-derived carboxylic
acids (levulinic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, and succinic acid)
with four different alcohols (MeOH, EtOH, n-PrOH,
and n-BuOH). Reaction conditions were optimized (10
mol % halloysite, 170 °C, 24 h) and gave high yields of the corresponding
esters and diesters (>90%). The halloysite was easily recovered
and
recycled after washing and drying.
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