In-Depth Kinetic Modeling and Chemical Analysis for the Epoxidation of Vegetable Oils in a Liquid-Liquid-Solid System

A heterogeneous catalyst for producing epoxidized vegetable oils, an important intermediate in the production of non-isocyanate polyurethanes, is essential for product separation and for decreasing the side-reaction, i.e., ring-opening reaction, via the Prileschajew method. The development of reliable kinetic models considering key variables for both phases and the mass transfer phenomena is missing in the literature. The reaction pathway for the ring-opening reaction is also under debate. Therefore, we studied the kinetics of epoxidation of cottonseed oil by perpropionic acid over the solid acid catalyst amberlite IR-120. An in-depth kinetic model was developed by using Bayesian inference. The reaction pathway for the ring opening was investigated. Propionic acid, a weak acid, allows for a decrease in the oxirane ring-opening side reaction.

Automated summary

This study investigated the kinetics of epoxidation of cottonseed oil using the solid acid catalyst Amberlite IR-120 with propionic acid as the peroxide. A Bayesian inference method was used to develop an in-depth kinetic model, and the reaction pathway for ring opening was explored. The use of weak acid propionic acid allowed for a decrease in the side reaction of oxirane ring opening.