Natural Brazilian clay-based catalysts were prepared, characterised, and their catalytic activity was assessed in esterification reactions. The natural clays were acid activated as received, without any previous treatment. Both natural and acid-activated clays were characterised by XRD, NH3-TPD, thermodesorption of n-butylamine, N2 adsorption analysis, FT-IR, TGA and DTA. The catalytic performance was investigated in the esterification of several carboxylic acids with different alcohols. The reactions were carried out in a 1:3 carboxylic acid/alcohol molar ratio at 100 ºC and atmospheric pressure for 3 h. The acid-activated clays provided good yields and better performance than commercial clay K10.
acid activation; clay; smectite; esterification
