Catalytic epoxidation of palm oleic acid using in situ generated performic acid – Optimization and kinetic studies

• Published in: Materials Chemistry and Physics
• Main Author: 2-s2.0-85107812649
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2021
• Online Access: https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85107812649&doi=10.1016%2fj.matchemphys.2021.124754&partnerID=40&md5=2772301c2a4201a2413f6b56a467be24

In the past, epoxides were mainly produced from petroleum-based sources. To date, there is a paucity of studies on the optimization of process parameters specifically epoxidized palm oil-derived oleic acid (EPOOA) as it is not fully utilised. Thus, this work aims to optimise the reaction conditions of catalytic epoxidation of palm oleic acid (OA) concerning the relative content of oxirane. EPOOA was produced by using in situ formed performic acid by mixing formic acid (FA) as the oxygen carrier with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxygen donor. The results showed the optimum reaction conditions to produce EPOOA to the response of oxirane content were catalyst loading of 0.5 g, the temperature of 75 °C, agitation speed of 300 rpm, molar ratio FA/degree of unsaturation of 1.0:1.0, and molar ratio H2O2/degree of unsaturation of 1.5:1.0. The maximum relative conversion to oxirane of palm OA to oxirane was achieved up to 85.6% by applying the optimum conditions. Finally, a mathematical model was developed using MATLAB software. In this model, the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method was integrated with the genetic algorithm to determine the reaction rate that fit with the experimental data. This study proved that palm OA was successfully transformed into an epoxide that promotes palm oil base utilisation as raw material. © 2021 Elsevier B.V.