In this work, catalysts with acid and superabsorbent properties were obtained by sulfonation of expanded polystyrene and used to promote the esterification of oleic acid with ethanol. The prepared superabsorbent polymers (SAP) showed high concentration of active sulfonic acid sites (0.7-5.9 mmol acid sites g(-1)) and high water absorption capacity (445-900 g(water) g(-1)). It was observed that the catalytic activity increased with the number of acid site and water absorption capacity. Turnover frequencies suggested that the catalytic activity depends on the accessibility/diffusion processes determined by the crosslinks in the polymer. Commercial sulfonic acid resins and polyacrylate based superabsorbent polymers showed very low activities compared with the SAP produced. The SAP also showed higher activity compared to the homogeneous catalyst p-toluenesulfonic acid. The higher activity of the prepared SAP is discussed in terms of the acidity of sulfonic groups combined with the water absorption which shifts the esterification equilibrium. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.