Esterification of Lauric Acid with Glycerol in the Presence of STA/MCM-41 Catalysts

Abstract

Esterification reaction between glycerol and lauric acid in the presence of STA/MCM-41 and H2SO4 catalysts indicated that the activity of synthesized catalyst had been comparable to H2SO4. On the other hand, only di glyceride formation instead of favored mono glyceride has been observed with H2SO4 which had rendered the use of heterogeneous STA/MCM-41 catalyst preferable. Temperature had a decreasing effect on lauric acid conversion due to competitive adsorption of water on catalyst structure. The high mono glyceride selectivity obtained in favor of the desired product was due to shape selectivity of the catalyst. High glycerol amount in feed ratio resulted in deformation of long range order of the catalyst structure and hence a decrease in mono glyceride selectivity. Experiments conducted in identical conditions in the presence of recovered catalysts showed a decrease in lauric acid conversion which had been due to loss of STA from catalyst structure.