Abstract: n-Octyl gallate was synthesized by esterification of gallic acid with n-octanol catalyzed by p-toluenesulfonic acid (PTSA) under microwave irradiation. Factors affecting the yield of esterification, such as microwave irradiation power and time, molar ratio of gallic acid to catalyst and n-octanol were studied. The optimum reaction condition obtained from orthogonal experiment was as follows: molar ratio of gallic acid to n-octanol 1:12, dosage of PTSA 0.009 mol, microwave irradiation power 510 W(dosage of gallic acid 10.5 g), for 60 min. Average yield of n-octyl gallate was 92.7%.

Key words: microwave irradiation, esterification, n-octyl gallate