Stannic chloride can be used as catalyst for esteri fi cation instead of sulphuric acid. Methyl cinnamate was synthesized in the prese nce of the catalyst of pentahydrate stannic chloride, and characterized by melt i ng point, elementary analysis and infrared spectrum. The yield of the ester co ul d reach 89.2% when the molar ratio of cinnamic acid,methyl alcohol and stanni c c hloride was 1∶7.5∶0.3,and the mixtur...