Premium
Optimization of the sulfuric acid‐catalyzed estolide synthesis from oleic acid
Author(s) -
Isbell Terry A.,
Frykman Hans B.,
Abbott Thomas P.,
Lohr Joseph É.,
Drozd Joseph C.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/s11746-997-0109-x
Subject(s) - sulfuric acid , oleic acid , catalysis , yield (engineering) , chemistry , inorganic chemistry , organic chemistry , materials science , biochemistry , composite material
The production of estolide from oleic acid with sulfuric acid as a catalyst was optimized for minimal acid concentration and temperature. Commercial oleic acid forms estolide optimally when reacted at 55°C with 5% vol/vol concentrated sulfuric acid for 24 h under vacuum. The extent of oligomerization was 1.2 estolide units under these reaction conditions. Temperature plays a critical role in the rate of estolide formation as well as in the overall yield, with higher temperatures providing faster rates but lower yields. The ratio of sulfuric acid to oleic acid equivalents also plays a role, where higher acid concentrations gave faster rates and higher yields of estolide. Vacuum had a minor effect on oligomerization and estolide yield.