Abstract: The synthesized applied ionic liquid[HSO₃-(CH₂)₄-mim] was as a catalyst to prepare glycerol ester through the esterification of gum rosin with glycerol. The products were characterized by FT-IR and NMR. The influence of reaction conditions on reaction results was also investigated. Under the optimum reaction conditions,i.e molar ratio of alcohol to acid(n_OH:n_COOH) 1.1:1, reaction temperature 260℃, reaction time 7h and dosage of the ionic liquid 0.03%(based on rosin weight), the obtained product had an acid number 9.6mg/g, a softening point 90℃, a color number 4(Fe-Co method), and the yield reached 100.2%. Compared with the products prepared using traditional catalyst ZnO, this kind of products had better performances.

Key words: ionic liquid, rosin, glycerol, esterification, catalysis