The invention provides a method for synthesizing
tributyl citrate (TBC) by adopting a composite
ionic liquid catalyst. The method is characterized by comprising the following steps: firstly carrying out esterification on taking
citric acid and n-butyl
alcohol which serve as raw materials in the presence of the catalyst, after esterification is qualified, directly utilizing the
waste heat to reduce pressure and eliminate
alcohol in a reaction kettle to obtain a crude product of
tributyl citrate containing the catalyst, then carrying out
acetylation and finally carrying out deacidification, standing, cooling, catalyst separation,
neutralization, washing and reduced pressure
distillation, thus obtaining the colorless transparent liquid TBC without decoloration and pressure
filtration. The method has the following advantages: the same amount of the same catalyst is used in esterification and
acetylation, thus realizing reuse of the catalyst; the conversion rate is high, the by-products are few and the yield is more than 98%; aftertreatment is simple and convenient, excessive
alkaline water for
neutralization and washing is not needed, the washing clear water can be reused and no pollutants are discharged; and the
reaction temperature is low, the production period is short, the equipment investment is low, the
energy consumption is low, and the cost is low.