Author
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Holser, Ronald |
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Submitted to: Journal Oleo Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 8/17/2007 Publication Date: 10/1/2007 Citation: Holser, R.A. 2007. Carbonation of epoxy methyl soyate at atmospheric pressure. Journal Oleo Science. 56(12):629-632. Interpretive Summary: Soybean methyl esters, the renewable diesel fuel, were chemically modified with carbon dioxide gas. This was performed at atmospheric pressure to obtain biobased materials with unique properties that could be used as industrial surfactants or additives in lubricant or hydraulic formulations. These materials are not fuels but represent specialty chemicals that can be prepared using conventional industrial technology without high pressure equipment. This broadens the application of methyl soyates and offers a scheme to prepare several high-value industrial products. An additional benefit is the direct use of carbon dioxide as a reactant in a commercial process. This would reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Technical Abstract: Carbonated methyl soyates were prepared from epoxy methyl soyate by the introduction of carbon dioxide at the oxirane position. Carbonation was performed with carbon dioxide gas by sparging carbon dioxide through the epoxy esters at atmospheric pressure in the presence of tetrabutylammonium bromide catalyst. These results were compared to carbonation of the epoxy esters with liquid carbon dioxide at 54 atm pressure. Analysis of reaction products showed 50% conversions were obtained after 24 hr at 80 deg C with 1 wt% catalyst and CO2 gas sparge compared to 63% conversion with liquid CO2 at 54 atm after 18 hr at 120 deg C with 1 wt% catalyst. |
