Efficient cyclohexyl acrylate production by direct addition of acrylic acid and cyclohexene over SBA-15-SO3H

A set of propysulfonic acid modified mesostructured silica materials (SBA-15-SO3H) were prepared by a convenient one-pot co-condensation method. Samples were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, Py-FTIR, N2 adsorption–desorption, elemental analysis and acid–base titration. The catalysts exhibited excellent activities and selectivities for addition esterification of acrylic acid and cyclohexene. The highest catalytic activity (82.8 %) and selectivity (92.6 %) were obtained over SBA-15-SO3H (15 %). The efficient catalytic performance of SBA-15-SO3H (15 %) was attributed to the high surface area, proper mesopore texture and presence of sulfonic acid groups in its structure. SBA-15-SO3H catalyst was easily separated and recycled with high stability.