Development of Bio-Based Epoxide from Plant Oil

Abstract

Epoxidation of nahor oil was performed by peroxycarboxylic acid generated in-situ, in the presence of acid catalyst. The reaction was carried out at 50 {\textdegree}C under a stirring speed of 1600 rev/min. The performance of different carboxylic acids namely formic, acetic, and propanoic acid, and the effect of different catalysts namely H2SO4, Amberlite IR 120H, and Dowex 50 WX8 on epoxide yield was examined in the present study. It was possible to obtain around 70 % epoxide yield within 8 h at a moderate temperature of 50 {\textdegree}C. Among the catalysts studied, Amberlite IR 120H showed better epoxide yield compared to H2SO4 and Dowex 50 WX8. The performance of carboxylic acids was found to be in the order of formic acid > acetic acid > propanoic acid. The FTIR analysis confirmed the formation of glycol products. The findings of the present study will provide useful information for making bio-based plasticizers and lubricants.