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Topic: 85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst  (Read 719 times)

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Offline lukas.stib

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85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst
« on: April 23, 2021, 01:49:50 AM »
Hello chemists,

can I use an 85% orthophosphoric acid solution as a catalyst in the Fischer esterification? I know H2SO4 is used, but I don't have it.

Thank you, Lukáš.

Offline rolnor

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Re: 85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2021, 02:19:03 PM »
No, its not strong enough.

Offline Babcock_Hall

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Re: 85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2021, 02:31:49 PM »
I wonder whether or not the amount of water in phosphoric acid is also a problem.

Offline rolnor

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Re: 85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst
« Reply #3 on: April 23, 2021, 05:09:21 PM »
If you look at pKa its a big differens, water does not make it any better for sure. -2.8 for H2SO4 and 2.15 for H3PO4

Offline lukas.stib

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Re: 85% solution of orthophosphoric acid as catalyst
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2021, 09:44:07 AM »
So this means that I don't have to use phosphoric acid for F. esterification at all...

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