Epoxidation of trimethylolpropane esters based Jatropha curcas oil using performic acid
Epoxidized Trimethylolpropane esters (ETJO) based Jatropha curcas oil were produced by epoxidation process of TMP esters (ETJ) with performic acid (HCOOOH) formed in situ by the reaction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and formic acid (HCOOH). The effect of several reaction parameters such as hydrogen peroxide to TMP esters molar ratio, formic acid to TMP esters molar ratio, temperature, and time reaction on the epoxidation process as well as on the oxirane oxygen content (OOC) and iodine value of the epoxidized TMP esters were examined. The epoxide group of ETJO was analyzed by using Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR and 13C NMR). FTIR spectrum analysis for ETJO showed the appearance of the peak at 825 cm-1 and 908 cm-1 for epoxide groups. The 1H NMR analysis for ETJO confirmed the presence of epoxide group at 2.88 ppm and 13C NMR analysis showed carbon signals of epoxide group at 54-57 ppm. ETJO obtained at the optimum conditions had iodine value of 1.4 mg/g, the oxirane oxygen content at 4.38 % and relative conversion oxyrane (RCO) of 87%. The reaction yield was 91 %.