Synthesis and physical properties of estolide ester using saturated Fatty Acid and ricinoleic Acid.

A study was conveyed to produce estolide ester using ricinoleic acid as the backbone. The ricinoleic acid reacted with saturated fatty acid from C8-C18. These reactions were conducted under vacuum at 60°C for 24 h without solvent. The reaction used acid catalyst, sulphuric acid. The new saturate ricinoleic estolide esters show superior low-temperature properties (-52 ± 0.08°C) and high flash point (>300°C). The yield of the neat estolide esters ranged from 52% to 96%. The viscosity range was 51 ± 0.08 to 86 ± 0.01 cp. These new saturated estolide esters were also compared with saturated branched estolide esters.

1. Introduction

Castor bean oil contains ricinoleic acid, a hydroxy monounsaturated fatty acid as main constituent of its fatty acid profile. Ricinoleic acid, cis-12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid, has an unusual polarity due to position of hydroxyl group [1]. Castor oil is the only commercially available vegetable oil containing hydroxy functionality of a fatty acid present abundantly (70–90%) [2].

Ricinoleic acid can undergo a wide range of reactions enabling formation of several derivatives. Its various derivatives like ricinoleyl alcohol, methyl ricinoleate, azelaic acid, and ricinenic acid are used as plasticizer and emulsifier [3]. Ricinoleic acid derivatives are used in pigment, printing ink, and textile finishing. However, its main use is as chemical intermediate to produce various oleochemicals. Estolides and estolide esters from castor oil, or any source of hydroxy fatty acids [4], have been explored and show promise as cosmetics, coatings, and biodegradable lubricants. Estolides are formed when the carboxylic acid functionality of one fatty acid links to the site of unsaturation of another fatty acid to form oligomeric esters.

Complex estolides have been synthesized by [5] where oleic acid and various saturated fatty acids, butyric through stearic, were treated with 0.4 equivalents of perchloric acid at either 45 or 55°C to produce a new class of saturated estolides with superior low-temperature properties. However, no journal has reported using ricinoleic acid as a starting fatty acid. The current work involves the synthesis of a new series of estolide ester from ricinoleic acid and various fatty acids. The effect of fatty acid carbon chain length on physical characterization of these estolide esters was determined.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Materials

Castor beans from experimental plot UKM were used to extract castor oil. Concentrated sulphuric acid (98%) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) were purchased from J. T. Baker Inc. Caprylic acid (98%), capric acid (98%), lauric acid (98%), myristic acid (99%), palmitic acid (98%), stearic acid (96%), 2-hexyldecanoic acid (96%), and 2-butyloctanoic acid (96%) were purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Ethanol (95%) and hydrated sodium sulphate (99%) were purchased from Systerm.

2.2. Experimental Procedure

Estolide ester was synthesized in a one-step reaction in a 250 mL three-neck round bottom flask with a magnetic stirrer. Concentrated sulphuric acid was used as catalyst. The heating mantel was used to maintain the temperature of reaction constant at 60°C ± 3°C. Ricinoleic acid (50 g, 0.1678 mol) and branched fatty acid (0.0839 mol) were combined and heated to 60°C temperature. Once the temperature reached 60°C, acid catalyst (5%) was added into reaction and the flask was placed under vacuum and stirred for 24 h. After 24 hours, ethanol (34 mL, 0.7391 mol) was added into the flask and reaction was continued for additional 2 hours in vacuum. As the reaction completed, it was neutralized with KOH (10 mL, 2 mol) in 90% ethanol. The round bottom flask was disconnected from the heating mantel and the solution was left to cool down to room temperature. The material was filtered through a Buckner funnel using Whatman 2 filter paper. The organic layer was transferred to a separation funnel and was washed with distilled water to remove any excess ethanol used to neutralize. The organic layer was then distilled using the simple distillation method at 80–140°C to remove any lactone, byproducts, excess ethanol and water.

2.3. Physical Properties

Physical properties of the estolide ester were determined. These analyses were FTIR, viscosity, flash point and pour point.

(a) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been carried out according to [6]. FTIR of the products was recorded by Prkin Elmer Spectrum GX spectrophotometer in the range 400–4000 cm−1. A very thin film of products covered the NaCl cells (25 mm i.d × 4 mm thickness) and was used for analysis.

(b) Viscosity

Viscosity test, ASTM D445-04€2 [7], was done in a Brookfield viscometer using a number 3 spindle. The speed was set to 100 rpm a minute and was done in room temperature. Triplicate measurements were made, and the average values were reported.

(c) Pour Point

The pour point test, ASTM D97-05a, was done by using a U-tube. The sample was poured into the tube to 3cm height. The sample in the tube was kept to freeze in a −80°C refrigerator [8]. Temperature was recorded when the sample started moving after removed from the refrigerator. Triplicate measurements were made, and the average values were reported.

(d) Flash Point

The flash point test, ASTM D92-05a, was conducted by adding 5 mL sample into a small ceramic bowl. The sample in the small container was partially emerged into a glass bowl of silicon oil and was heated on the heating mantel. A 300°C thermometer was dipped in the silicon oil. The heating process will produce gas clouds which were trapped in the ceramic bowl. Starting from 100°C, fire spark was given to the sample. If there is no spark, the process will be repeated until there is spark [9]. The temperature was stated as the flash point. Triplicate measurements were made and the average values were reported.

3. Results and Discussion

A series of estolide ethyl esters were synthesized from ricinoleic acid and a series of saturated fatty acids with sulphuric acid catalyst at 60°C for 24 h. The structures are shown in Figure 1. Esterification process was continued with synthesis of estolide ester by adding an alcohol, ethanol to stop the estolide chain by capping it. The estolide esters were formed under vacuum distillation at 60°C for 2 hours. The temperature of the process should be kept stable and not exceed 70°C because the productions of byproducts such as lactone [10] will increase and decrease the temperature to less than 45°C because of the slower rate of estolide formation [10]. A base was added to neutralize the acidic product, pH 7.

Figure 1

Reaction of estolide ester formation between ricinoleic acid and decanoic acid.

FTIR spectra of ricinoleic acid and reaction products were compared to show that condensation had occurred. As a result, the FTIR spectrum of ricinoleic acid shows C=O stretching band at 1713 cm−1 wavenumber and the presence of a hydroxyl group in the ricinoleic acid structure is shown 3445 cm−1 wavenumber where else the reaction product, a sharp and long carbonyl C=O ester transmittance peak was observed at 1737 cm−1. The presence of CH2 bending at 723 cm−1 wavenumber indicates long-chain compound. The, C=C transmittance peak are pot clearly presence because it, showed a weak transmittance peak due to only a small amount of alkene was present. From the observation, no lactones were present because of there is no transmittance peak at 1790 cm−1 [11]. Other absorbance indicates C–H alkane bond and bend alkane at transmittance peaks 2926 cm−1, 2854 cm−1 and 1464 cm−1, respectively.

The physical characterisation of the estolide ethyl ester is shown in Table 1. The yield of these estolides increased from 52.51 ± 0.03% to 96.57 ± 0.05% for the neat and capped estolide esters. The highest yield was 96.57 ± 0.05% obtained with sample EE14. This estolide was synthesized using ricinoleic acid with myristic acid (C14). The lowest yield was obtained with sample EE10, 52.51 ± 0.03%. This estolide was synthesized with ricinoleic acid and capric acid.

Table 1

Physical characteristics of ricinoleic acid estolide ester.

Sample	Fatty acid	Viscosity (cp)	Flash point (°C)	Pour point (°C)	Yield (%)
EE08	Caprylic	76 ± 0.03	>300	−52 ± 0.08	91.43 ± 0.07
EE10	Capric	84 ± 0.10	>300	−48 ± 0.01	52.51 ± 0.03
EE12	Lauric	81 ± 0.05	>300	−42 ± 0.03	74.65 ± 0.10
EE14	Myristic	56 ± 0.02	>300	−38 ± 0.09	96.57 ± 0.05
EE16	Palmitic	51 ± 0.08	>300	−12 ± 0.02	84.15 ± 0.08
EE18	Stearic	86 ± 0.01	>300	−10 ± 0.04	84.03 ± 0.06

The pour point of saturated estolide ethyl esters is shown in Table 1. Pour point is the lowest point or temperature where the sample sustains in liquid form [12]. This property is important because low pour point enables the sample usage in cold countries and in low-temperature machineries. Low pour point helps in keeping the estolides in liquid condition which makes transportation and storage easy. The lowest pour point is obtained from EE8 which is −52 ± 0.08°C. Shorter fatty acid gives a better and lower pour point. It is because the longer estolide esters have bigger molecular structure and bulky which makes them easier to solidify at a higher temperature compared to small compounds. The highest pour point is EE18 with −10 ± 0.04°C. Even though the pour point pattern is increasing, the values of pour point are still negative and are low.

Viscosity is a measure internal friction taking place in fluid. It also determines fluid properties involved in lubricant, resistant to the initiation of relative movement of moving part [13]. The highest viscosity is obtained at 86 ± 0.01 cp for EE18 and the lowest at 51 ± 0.08 cp for EE16. The range of viscosity of these estolide ethyl esters is relatively average. They have been proven to be useful for numerous applications. The value of viscosity reduces as the length of fatty acid increases [14].

The flash point, or the temperature at which a lubricant momentarily flashes in the pressure of a test flame, aids in evaluating fire-resistance properties [9]. It also shows that there is a possibility that there are hazardous gasses in the sample. It is important to have a high flash point to ensure it will not harm the user or the environment by releasing gas emission at low-temperature. The flash point temperature should also be high to ensure its usage is commercially accepted. The flash points for all the samples were above 300°C. They are high and are not easily to emit any dangerous gaseous or potential fire occurrence during usage of the estolides.

These new estolide esters were compared with saturated branched-chain estolide esters. EE12 and EE16 were compared with EEBO and EEHD, respectively. The saturated branched estolide esters were synthesized the same way as the above esters. The comparisons were made according to similar molecular weight and number of carbon. The comparison of physical characterisations between these estolide ethyl esters is shown in Table 2. Overall the saturated branched-chain estolide esters show better physical characterisation. EEBO and EEHD have lower pour point and higher viscosity.

Table 2

Comparison between straight-chain saturated fatty acids and branched-chain saturated fatty acids.

Sample	Fatty acid	Viscosity (cp)	Flash point (°C)	Pour point (°C)	Yield (%)
EE12	Lauric	97 ± 0.10	>300	−42 ± 0.04	74.7 ± 0.07
EEBO	2-Butyloctanoic	242 ± 0.07	260 ± 0.09	−43 ± 0.02	77.9 ± 0.05
EE16	Palmitic	63 ± 0.03	230 ± 0.04	−12 ± 0.10	84.2 ± 0.02
EEHD	2-Hexyldecanoic	132 ± 0.08	>300	−44 ± 0.04	84.5 ± 0.03

Saturated branched-chain estolide ester has lower pour point and viscosity especially if EE16-compared to EEHD. The difference is more than double. This may be caused by the addition of branched fatty acid that causes the structure to become asymmetric thus reduces the pour point tremendously and increases the viscosity value. The asymmetric condition is due to the space between these branched molecules. Branched molecules cannot be arranged very neatly because of its jagged structure. Thus it creates spaces in each molecule. This condition will lower the freezing temperature of the estolide ester because more energy is used to freeze it [13]. Longer saturated branched-chain has a bigger molecule weight which makes it is easier to lose intramolecule force, leading the solution to have a small viscosity value. The value of viscosity reduces as the length and quantity of branched fatty acid increase [14].

4. Conclusion

Estolide ethyl esters from ricinoleic acid and saturated fatty acid have excellent low-temperature properties and high flash points. These estolide esters have good physiochemical properties as base oil of estolide.