Ultrasound assisted synthesis of isopropyl esters from palm fatty acid distillate

Esterification is one of the most preferred synthesis routes for organic esters which are most frequently used as plasticizers, solvents and perfumery and flavour chemicals. The present work deals with acid catalyzed synthesis of isopropyl esters from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) in the presence of ultrasonic irradiations operating at 25 kHz frequency and 1 kW of supplied power. Effect of different operating parameters such as molar ratio of reactants, catalyst quantity and operating temperature has been studied with an aim of optimization. It has been observed that ultrasound enhances the rate of reaction and the extent of equilibrium conversion. The optimum parameters for this process have been found to be 1:5 molar ratio of PFAD to isopropanol, catalyst concentration of 5% of PFAD and 60 °C reaction temperature. Maximum conversion levels of about 80% have been obtained in 6 h of reaction time under these optimized conditions. Analysis of the kinetic data indicates that the reaction follows first order reversible path.