EQUILIBRIA IN SOLUTIONS OF METHANOL OR ETHANOL, SULFURIC ACID, AND ALKYL SULFATES

Article abstract of DOI:10.1016/S0040-4039(00)95376-0

Equilibria in reactions of methanol and ethanol with sulfuric acid or in hydrolyses of alkyl sulfates were followed using 13C NMR, anion-exchange HPLC, and titrations.Variations of equilibrium constant K = (ester)(H2O)/(ROH)(HSO4(1-)) with acidity indicate participation of reactions ROH2(1+) + HSO4(1-) <*> ROH(1+)SO3(1-) + H2O, accompanied by acid base equilibra involving the alcohol and ester.For mixtures containing initially 20percent (w/w) alcohol, pK_MeOH2(1+) = -4.2, pK_EtOH2(1+) = -3.7, pK_{MeOH(1+)SO3(1-)} = -3.3 and pK_{EtOH(1+)SO3(1-)} = -2.7.