Solvent-free one step aminolysis and alcoholysis of low-quality triglycerides using sodium modified CaO nanoparticles as a solid catalyst

Abstract

Here, we report the solvent-free one step preparation of fatty acid amides and fatty acid alkyl esters from low quality triglycerides using a solid catalyst. A series of Na⁺ modified CaO has been prepared in the form of nanoparticles by a modified incipient-wetness impregnation method, and used as a solid catalyst for aminolysis and alcoholysis of triglycerides. The prepared catalyst 3-NaC/CaO-450 (3 wt% Na impregnated in CaO) was found to exist in nanoparticle form (particle size = 25 nm) as suggested by TEM, DLS and powder XRD studies, have a surface area of 10.9 m² g⁻¹ (BET method) and found to have the basic strength of 15.0 < H_ < 18.4 as supported by the Hammett indicator test. The catalyst was found to complete the aminolysis (5 wt% catalyst; 6 : 1 molar ratio of diethanolamine/oil; 110 °C) with excellent recyclability and is also equally efficient for the alcoholysis (5 wt% catalyst; 12 : 1 molar ratio of methanol/oil; 65 °C) of used cotton seed oil.