Epoxidation of soybean oil using a homogeneous catalytic system based on a molybdenum (VI) complex

The ability of bis(acetyl-acetonato)dioxo-molybdenum (VI) [MoO2(acac)2] to catalyse the epoxidation of soybean oil in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide as oxidizing agent has been investigated. The influence of reaction time and temperature in the course of the epoxidation reaction was evaluated by quantitative 1H NMR. When epoxidation was carried out in refluxing toluene at 110 °C for 2 h, a 70.1% conversion of substrate was obtained, producing 54.1% epoxidation with a selectivity of 77.2%. The 1H NMR spectroscopic method selected for the purpose of this work allowed a simple and rapid evaluation of the mono- and diepoxides obtained following the epoxidation of soybean oil.

Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (43 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights▶ Vegetable oil epoxidation is promoted by MoO2(acac)2 catalyst. ▶ Selectivity for epoxidized products improves with temperature. ▶ Monoepoxidized products are selectivity obtained at 80 °C and short reaction times. ▶ Epoxidation products are identified and quantified by 1H NMR.