Single pot synthesis of peroxyacetic acid from acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide using various solid acid catalysts

The efficacy of various solid acid catalysts, such as Hβ, HZSM-5, Al-MCM-41 (Si/Al = 25 and 75) and Si-MCM-41 supported PWA was investigated in the conversion of acetic acid to peroxyacetic acid using hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. Si-MCM-41 supported PWA was more active than other catalysts. The strength of Brönsted acid sites is found to play a decisive role in this reaction.