High conversion of homogeneous catalysts such as paratoluene sulfonic acid (PTSA) makes them attractive for processes such as esterification of 2-ethyl hexanol (2EOH) and 2-ethyl hexanoic acid (2EHA) to produce 2-ethylhexyl 2-ethylhexanoate as an example of heavy esters . To remove the water that is produced in the reaction, a water separation system was developed with azeotrope distillation. Additionally, because of new system designed for separation of homogeneous catalyst, use of PTSA is feasible. The effects of different variables such as temperature, mole ratio of alcohol to acid, and molar ratio of catalyst to 2EHA were studied. At the optimal values of 140 °C, ratio of 2EOH to 2EHA of 2, and acid molar ratio to 2EHA of 2.5%, respectively, the conversion of 99% was achieved. GC-FID was used for the measurements of constituents. Also 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-ethylhexyl oleate, 2-ethylhexyl stearate, were synthesized with direct alcohollysis of camel hump fat and 2-ethyl hexanol in the presence of PTSA. To remove the water that is produced in the reaction, system was developed with azeotrope distillation formed between water and 2-ethyl hexanol. More over glycerol as a byproduct of reaction, can etherification of glycerol with 2EOH to mono, di and three etters of 2EOH occurred concurrently. The effects of temperature in the value of product were studied for this catalyst. the best values were in 140 °C converting 95 percent. GC-MS chromatography was used for the quantification and semi quantification determination.
