The Synthesis of Ionic Liquid Functionalized Polymer and its Application in the Esterification Between Methacrylic Acid and Methanol

Abstract High yield of methyl methacrylate was gained by using ionic liquid functionalized copolymer of ethylene dimethacrylate and 4-vinylbenzyl. The solid acid catalyst (VEM-ILs) was obtained through quaternary ammonization on the tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized copolymer with 1,3-propanesultone and HSO 3 CF 3 . The acid amount of VEM-ILs was 1.46 mmol/g. The surface area and pore volume of VEM-ILs were 11.1 m 2 /g and 0.04 cm 3 /g. To appraise the catalytic activity of the catalyst, the esterification between methacrylic acid and methanol was implemented. The optimized condition was as follows: 21.15 wt% catalyst dosage based on the weight of methacrylic acid, 90 °C, MAA to MeOH ratio of 1:1.5 and 3 h reaction time. Under the optimal condition, the yield of ester reached 76.5%. After four times use, the catalyst still exhibited a good catalytic effect. Graphical Abstract