Synthesis and characterization of monoacylglycerols through glycerolysis of ethyl esters derived from linseed oil by green processes

Abstract

The synthesis of monoacylglycerol (MAG) through the glycerolysis of ethyl ester mixture (biodiesel) was investigated in this study from linseed oil, low-cost alternative feedstock, using an alkaline catalyst with green reagent. The transesterification double step process (TDSP), reaction with ethanol to ethyl esters yielded 97%. In the glycerolysis reaction, the optimum operating condition was in a temperature of 130 °C with 5% sodium hydroxide (NaOH) in 1 : 5 biodiesel–glycerol and 12 h reaction time, in open reactor. The reaction conditions showed an interesting conversion and monoacylglycerol yield of 98% and 76%, respectively. The determination and characterization of reaction products was carried out by Gas Chromatography (GC) method, Infrared Spectroscopy (IR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Hydrogen Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (¹H NMR).