Energies of combustion and standard molar enthalpies of formation of ricinoleic acid and methyl ricinoleate

Standard energies of combustion of ricinoleic acid and methyl ricinoleate were measured experimentally by using a semi-micro bomb calorimeter. The energies of combustion of ricinoleic acid and methyl ricinoleate were used to derive the corresponding standard molar enthalpies of formation (-ΔfHm∘) in liquid phase at T = 298.15 K. The values of -ΔfHm∘ for these compounds are (−1097.7 ± 11.6) kJ · mol−1 and (−1027.1 ± 12.4) kJ · mol−1, respectively.

► Accurate combustion energies of ricinoleic acid and methyl ricinoleate were obtained by semi-micro combustion calorimetry.
► From experimental data standard enthalpies of combustion and formation for both compounds were derived.
► Comparison of combustion data of both compounds points to methyl ricinoleate as a better biofuel.