Example 2
A mixture of 8.00 g (95 mmole) trans 3-hexene (GFS Chemicals, Powell, Ohio), 10.30 g (143 mmol) acrylic acid, and 0.50 g (3.3 mmol) trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (Alfa Aesar) was heated to 60° C. for 24 hours. The mixture was cooled to room temperature. Ethyl acetate (50 mL) was added and the mixture was washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate until the aqueous layer was basic. The organic layer was isolated and dried over MgSO4, then filtered. The solvent was removed under vacuum, then the crude oil was then distilled under reduced pressure. A colorless oil fraction was collected (4.80 g) at 43-44° C. at 8 millimeters of mercury (mmHg). The product is 32 mol % 2-hexyl acrylate and 68 mol % 3-hexyl acrylate (as determined by NMR test method).