EPOXIDATION OF PALM OIL CATALYZED BY COMPLEX OF VANADYL(IV)-P-NITRO-PHENOXYIMINE

• Main Author: Dyah Ayu Wijayanti, Irne
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Subjects: Kimia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/54988
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Plasticizers are polymer additives used to improve flexibility and thermal resistance of polymers. Alkyl benzoate esters (phthalates) are additives, dominating the global plasticizer market (75%). Four phthalates, i.e., BBP, DBP, DEHP and DIBP, have been banned by the European Union due to their carcinogenic properties. Thus, the replacement of phthalates with environmentally friendly and safe plasticizers is of importance. A vegetable oil epoxide is one of compounds with plasticizing characters. Abundant potentials of Indonesia natural resources, such as palm oil, have initiated epoxidized palm oil (EPO) research to increase its economic value. EPO, produced from oxidation of olefin triglycerides, were known to be catalyzed by vanadyl(IV) complexes and organic peroxides. Previous studies have reported insignificant differences in EPO yield when vanadyl(IV) diketonates with electron withdrawing and donating ligands were employed in the reaction. Herein, the phenoxyimine ligand with para-nitro functional group and their metalation with vanadium(IV) were studied and was employed in the epoxidation of palm oil. Such a vanadyl(IV)-phenoxyimine showed better epoxidation activity (50%) compared to VO(acac)2 (28%) under the same reaction condition (70 ?, 7 h, 1.4 mol% of catalyst and 4.3 mol eq of ter-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) oxidant. This phenomenon is in accordance with the initial hypothesis and was concluded that a lower electron density of vanadium metal center as one with nitro group may improve catalytic performance of palm oil epoxidations.