Abstract: Gallium-promoted sulfated zirconia catalysts were prepared by the steps of hydrolysis,digestion,wetness impregnation and calcinations.The synthesis of dimethyl fumarate by the esterification of fumaric acid with methanol was catalyzed on solid acid Ga2O3/SO42-/ZrO2.The results showed that the catalyst had excellent catalytic activity and stability.The effects of calcined temperature,molar ratio of methanol to acid,reaction time and amount of the catalyst were analyzed by single-factor and orthogonal test.The optimum parameters for esterificaion are calcined temperature 600 ℃,methanol /acid mole ratio 8:1,the dosage dissimilarity of the catalyst 1.5 g,reaction time 8 h.On these conditions,the yield of DMF is more than 90%.

Key words: solid acid, esterification, dimethyl fumarate