Epoxidation of soybean oil by insitu formation of peracid in the presence of zeolites

Abstract

The catalytic epoxidation of soybean oil with hydrogen peroxide as oxidant has been accomplished using HZSM-5-, HY- and Hß- zeolite catalysts. The prepared catalysts are characterized by XRD, FTIR, and BET surface area. The catalytic epoxidation of soybean oil is studied as a function of time. The results show that all three catalysts exhibit higher conversion and selectivity of epoxidized soybean oil. Optimized protocol provides 85 %, 83 % and 70.55 %, conversion, selectivity and yield, respectively with HZSM-5 catalyst. The reaction occurs inside the pores of the zeolite framework via insitu formation of performic acid which further catalyzed by acid sites.