Esterification of fatty acids with C₈-C₉ alcohols over selected sulfonic heterogeneous catalysts

A study on the synthesis of esters of fatty acids of natural origin (oleic acid from rapeseed oil) and branched synthetic isostearic acid with commercially available alcohols C₈-C₉ i.e. 2-ethylhexanol (2-EH) and 3,5,5-trimethylhexanol (TMH) in the presence of selected heterogeneous catalysts containing active sulfonic groups has been made. The catalysts were obtained using ready available amorphous silicas with different textural characteristics. The influence of catalyst porosity on the catalytic properties in the esterification of fatty acids has been investigated. The effect of the synthesis temperature has also been studied. The results were compared with the results of esterification with the use of acidic ion exchange resins. It was shown that catalysts obtained on the basis of amorphous silicas are good and reusable catalysts for the esterification of fatty acids with higher alcohols