Esterification of succinic anhydride to di-(p-cresyl) succinate over heterogeneous acid clay catalysts is reported. Montmorillonite clay samples exchanged with different cations were prepared and catalytic activity of the resulting materials was investigated in the synthesis of di-(p-cresyl) succinate esters. Among the exchanged clay catalysts, Al3+
and H+-mont were found to be more active for the esterification of succinic anhydride withp-cresol. The activity of M
n+-mont was found to be directly related to the charge to radius ratio of Mn+-ions. The influence of molar ratio of reactants, reaction time, and catalyst amount on the esterification reaction was investigated. The esterification was
found to follow the second order rate kinetics and the kinetic parameters such as rate constant (k), equilibrium constant (K) and Gibbs free
energy (G
◦
) for the reaction have been determined. The activity of Al
3+
-mont clay catalyst for the esterification of succinic anhydride with
phenol,m-cresol,o-cresol,p-nitrophenol and resorcinol have been studied. Regeneration and reusability of the clay catalyst has also been
investigated.