This study represents high yield, 100 % selective esterification of 2-ethyl hexanol and 2-ethyl hexanoic acid in both continuous and batch reactors in presence of various homogeneous and heterogeneous acidic catalysts (e.g. sulfuric acid, paratoluene sulfonic acid, ?-Zeolite, Zirconium sulfate, Amberlyst 36, and acidic Bentonite). Although high % conversions were obtained for homogeneous catalysts in batch reactors, separation of these catalysts was difficult and incomplete in media after the reaction. Hence, heterogeneous catalysts were used in continuous reactors. Among heterogeneous catalysts, high % conversion was achieved for Amberlyst 36. The variables of temperature, alcohol to acid mole ratio, and different designs of the system were considered. To remove excess amount of produced water in reaction, WS system combined with continuous reactor was designed and used. Optimum conditions of 140 o C and 2:1 for temperature and alcohol to acid mole ratio were obtained, respectively, which led to 70% conversion. Also, paratoluene sulfonic acid was used in the continuous system at above conditions in WS system and 95% conversion was achieved, this shows the high potential and efficiency of this catalyst in the esterification reaction.
