Producing Jatropha oil-based polyol via epoxidation and ring opening

A low viscosity polyol has been functionalized from crude Jatropha oil via epoxidation and subsequent ring-opening. Starting with the crude Jatropha oil, the double bonds are functionalized by introducing epoxy groups and ring-opened to produce hydroxyl groups. The experiment employs more concentrated 50% hydrogen peroxide and effectively produce solvent-free epodixidized Jatropha oil within shorter reaction time of 5 h with maximum oxirane oxygen content of 4.30% and viscosity of 0.57-0.60 Pa.s. The epoxidized Jatropha oil is then transform into Jatropha-based polyol with hydroxyl number of 171-179 mg KOH/g, low viscosity of 0.92-0.98 Pa.s. and functionality of 5.1-5.3. The epoxidation and ring-opening process are monitored by viscometer and FTIR. The produced polyol permit more time for molding and additives addition during polyurethane due to its low viscosity. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.