Synthesis of acetyl salicylic acid over modified solid superacid WO₃/ZrO₂ catalyst

WO₃/ZrO₂ and Ce, Mn-modified WO₃/ZrO₂ solid superacids were respectively prepared by co-precipitation method. The as-prepared catalysts were characterized by means of XRD and Raman. The catalytic performance of the catalysts for synthetizing acetyl salicylic acid was investigated. Ce-modified catalyst showed the highest catalytic activity. Thus Ce-modified solid superacid was used as the catalyst to optimize the synthetizing technology of acetyl salicylic acid. The effects of reaction time, reaction temperature, molar ratio of reactants, as well as dosage of catalyst on synthesis of acetyl salicylic acid were investigated. The yield of acetylsalicylic acid of 94.69% was obtained under optimum reaction conditions. The catalyst is easily recovered and reused with a consistent high activity.