E.T. Akintayo*
Chemistry Department, University of Ado-Ekiti, P.M.B 5363 Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti – State, Nigeria
T. Ziegler
Institute fur Organische Chemie II, Universitat Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 18, 72076, Tübingen, Germany
A. Onipede
Chemistry Department, University of Ado-Ekiti, P.M.B 5363 Ado – Ekiti, Ekiti – State, Nigeria
Abstract
Peroxyformic acid prepared in-situ was employed for epoxidation of canola oil in the presence of toluene. Gas chromatographic analysis of the product revealed the following species: C16:0; C18:0; C18:1; C18:2; C18:3; monoepoxy C18:0; monoepoxy C18:1; monoepoxy C18:2; diepoxy C18:0; diepoxy C18:1 and triepoxy C18:0, that were well separated and easily quantified. Result also revealed that epoxidation of canola oil was almost complete after 8 h using 4.0 moles of 85% formic acid in excess hydrogen peroxide. The 1H and 13C NMR of the products are discussed.
KEY WORDS: Epoxidation, Canola oil, Epoxidised canola oil, Peroxyformic acid
Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2006, 20(1), 75-81.