Epoxidation of Vernonia Oil in Acidic Ion Exchange Resin

Abstract

In this study epoxidized vernonia oil (EVO) was synthesized by the epoxidation of vernonia oil using peroxyformic acid, formed in situ by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide and formic acid in the presence of an acidic ion exchange resin (Amberlite IR-120 hydrogen form) as the catalyst. This method of epoxidation has resulted in product with about 78% conversion. Acid exchange resin catalyzed epoxidation reactions are found to be promising in minimizing oxirane ring opening.