Assessment of niobium phosphate as heterogeneous catalyst in esterification with methyl acetate

BACKGROUND The aim of this work was to investigate the esterification reaction from oleic acid with methyl acetate (MeA) catalyzed by niobium phosphate to produce methyl esters. This catalyst has an amorphous structure and large surface area. Catalytic tests were performed according to an experimental design. The results were analyzed statistically and all of the variables were significant, especially the temperature. RESULTS A kinetic study of...