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Propylsulfonic acid (PrSO3H) derivatised solid acid catalysts have been prepared by post‐modification of mesoporous SBA‐15 silica with mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (MPTMS), and the impact of co‐derivatisation with octyltrimethoxysilane (OTMS) groups to impart hydrophobicity to the catalyst was investigated. Turnover frequencies (TOFs) for acetic acid esterification with methanol increase with PrSO3H surface coverage across both families, suggesting a cooperative effect between adjacent acid sites at high acid site densities. Esterification activity is further promoted upon co‐functionalisation with hydrophobic octyl chains, with inverse gas chromatography (IGC) measurements indicating that the increased activity correlates with decreased surface polarity or increased hydrophobicity.

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The first application of WS 2 , a well-known graphene analogue, as a solid acid catalyst for carboxylic acid esterification is reported. WS 2 exhibits excellent specific activities and high conversion to methyl esters of (65-90 %) for C2-C16 carboxylic acid esterification with methanol under mild conditions, with Turnover Frequencies between 80-180 h -1 , and outstanding water tolerance even under equimolar water spiking. WS 2 also exhibits good stability towards methyl propanoate in the continuous esterification of propanoic acid, and is a promising candidate for biofuels production.