Kinetics of absorption of isobutylene in acetic acid

The kinetics of absorption of isobutylene in acetic acid in the presence of concentrated sulphuric acid (98 wt.-%) as catalyst, which results in the formation of t-butyl acetate, was studied in a 10-cm i.d. agitated glass reactor. The solubility of isobutylene in acetic acid and t-butyl acetate was determined experimentally. The reaction is relatively slow and the diffusional factors could be completely eliminated. The values of the second-order reaction rate constant were 0.82 and 2.7 cm3 mole-1 sec-1 at 20° and 40°c, respectively