Abstract Butyl isovalerate was synthesized from isovaleric acid and butanol with ionic liquid as catalysts under microwave irradiation. The systematic study was investigated including of the effects of molar ratio of acid to alcohol, microwave power, amount of catalyst, microwave time and microwave temperature on the process. The optimum operation conditions were as follows: n (butanol): n (isovaleric acid)= 1.6: 1, microwave power 500 W, amount of ...