[reken65]

Hi,

Does anyone know of a alternative to form esters such as Acetic Acid, methyl ester from methanol without using the traditional methanol and sulfuric acid reaction. We need to analyze by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and using sulfuric acid on a GCMS is really not the best option.

Thanks

 

[Arkcon]

There are a number of ways to make an ester, for example: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ester#Preparation

I don't really understand the problem you're having.  Sure, you don't want sulfuric acid in your GC, but is there no workup step after your acid mediated esterification?  Maybe you can use some sort of immobilized sulfuric acid?

[Babcock_Hall]

Would you also clarify a couple of things?  Is it just acetic acid that you wish to analyze, or are there other carboxylic acids?  Is  it only methyl esters, or other esters?

[Dan]

Maybe you can use some sort of immobilized sulfuric acid?

I was also going to suggest this. Dowex, Amberlite and Amberlyst (for example) all make resin-supported sulfonic acids.

[reken65]

Thanks for your reply

Yes it is acetic acid to form acetic acid methyl ester. The same for sodium acetate. Both reactions works well with methanol and sulfuric acid, but again trying not to use sulfuric acid. The ester is not really specific, we just need to form a molecule that can be detected by GCMS.

Thanks