Study of Esterification between Oleic Acid and 2-Ethyl Hexanol by using the Microwave Method

Hana Melyana Pertiwi Manurung; Juliati Br. Tarigan; Cut Fatimah Zuhra

doi:10.32734/ijoep.v5i2.13601

Authors

Hana Melyana Pertiwi Manurung Postgraduate School, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia
Juliati Br. Tarigan Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5705-506X
Cut Fatimah Zuhra Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Mathematic and Natural Sciences, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan 20155, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32734/ijoep.v5i2.13601

Keywords:

Fatty Acid Esters, Microwave, Oleic Acid

Abstract

Oleic acid is an unsaturated fatty acid, has a rancid odor and the main component of palm oil. To increase the value of oleic acid which has a C₁₈ chain, it has the potential as a raw material for making long chain fatty acid esters. This fatty acid ester from vegetable oil is an emollient ester which is biodegradable which was synthesized with 2-ethyl hexanol using the Microwave method. In the last ten years, the microwave method has been widely used in organic synthesis. This esterification reaction was carried out using a modified home microwave by making a hole on top as a place for the ball cooler equipped with a stirrer, and using an acid catalyst. Characteristics of long chain fatty acid esters will be tested by FTIR and GC-MS. FTIR test results showed absorption of specific functional groups, while GC-MS was able to show the presence of long chain fatty acid ester compounds.