Raw halloysite as reusable heterogeneous catalyst for esterification of lauric acid

The methylic and ethylic esterifications of lauric acid were investigated using raw halloysite as a catalyst, in heterogeneous media. The reactions were conducted with different molar ratios (alcohol:lauric acid) and proportions of catalyst, at 160 degrees C for 2 h in a pressurized steel reactor. Halloysite produced lauric acid conversion of 95.02% and 87.11% for the methylic and ethylic esterifications, respectively. These results were better than those obtained from thermal conversion (75.61% and 59.86% for methanol and ethanol, respectively). After four consecutive reaction cycles, halloysite was recovered and could be reused after washing and drying. The results showed that halloysite is a promising inexpensive and reusable material for esterification reactions involving fatty acids. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.