Synthesis of Epoxy from Unsaturated Fatty Acids of Castor Oil (Ricinus Communis Linn)

Abstract

Fatty acid epoxy or oxirane compounds are intermediates that are reactive to polar reagents. The purpose of reacting them with polar reagents is to obtain compounds that increase the polarity of the hydrocarbon part so that they are more effective when used as surfactants. In this study, epoxy was synthesized from unsaturated fatty acids of castor oil. The epoxy reagent used was performic acid which was synthesized in situ from formic acid and hydrogen peroxide using sulfuric acid as a catalyst at a temperature of 70 oC and a time of 90 minutes. Based on analysis with an FTIR Spectrophotometer, it was confirmed that fatty acid epoxy compounds had been formed, namely by the appearance of C-O-C epoxy absorption at 1015 cm-1 for stretching and 856 cm-1 for bending. Furthermore, based on the results of analysis with GC-MS, the epoxy results were: epoxy hexadecanoate (0.96%), epoxy hexadecanoate (1.02%) and epoxy risnoleate 0.34 %. The epoxidation reaction performed is still not optimal, but it can be used as a reference for refining subsequent epoxidation reactions.