Formation of Furan Fatty Alkyl Esters from their Bis-Epoxide Fatty Esters

A 5-(2-Pyridyl)tetrazolate Complex of Molybdenum(VI), Its Structure, and Transformation to a Molybdenum Oxide-Based Hybrid Heterogeneous Catalyst for the Epoxidation of Olefins

There is a considerable practical interest in discovering new ways to obtain organomolybdenum heterogeneous catalysts for olefin epoxidation that are easier to recover and reuse and display enhanced productivity. In this study, the complex salt (H2pytz)[MoO2Cl2(pytz)] (1) (Hpytz = 5-(2-pyridyl)tetrazole) has been prepared, structurally characterized, and employed as a precursor for the hydrolysis-based synthesis of a microcrystalline molybdenum oxide/organic hybrid material formulated as [MoO3(Hpytz)] (2). In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction (for 1), compounds 1 and 2 were characterized by FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, solid-state 13C{1H} cross-polarization (CP) magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated as olefin epoxidation catalysts using the model reaction of cis-cyclooctene (Cy8) with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP), at 70 °C, which gave 100% epoxide selectivity up to 100% conversion. While 1 behaved as a homogeneous catalyst, hybrid 2 behaved as a heterogeneous catalyst and could be recovered for recycling without showing structural degradation or loss of catalytic performance over consecutive reaction cycles. The substrate scope was broadened to monoterpene DL-limonene (Lim) and biobased unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters, methyl oleate (MeOle), and methyl linoleate (MeLin), which gave predominantly epoxide products.

Synthesis of fatty ketoesters by tandem epoxidation–rearrangement with heterogeneous catalysis

Fatty ketoesters are obtained from unsaturated fatty esters in a tandem two-step process with a combination of two heterogeneous catalysts, without intermediate purification and with maximum productivity of the catalysts through recycling and reuse.

A biosynthetically inspired route to substituted furans using the Appel reaction: total synthesis of the furan fatty acid F5

Appel reaction conditions have been harnessed to affect a mild biosynthetically inspired dehydration of endoperoxides to deliver multi-substituted electron rich furans. Unlike traditional dehydrative procedures, this method is metal and acid free, and can be achieved under redox neutral conditions. It is general for a range of aryl and alkyl substituted endoperoxides, and is functional group tolerant. Furthermore, this procedure has been used to deliver an effective total synthesis of the furan fatty acid (FFA) F₅.

Synthesis and Tribological Studies of Branched Alcohol Derived Epoxidized Biodiesel

The optimization and kinetics of the ring-opening reaction of an epoxidized biodiesel (epoxidized rapeseed oil methyl ester) (EBD) with 2-ethyl hexanol (2-EH) were studied. The determined optimum conditions were 4:1 2-EH/oil molar ratio, 90 °C, 18 h, and 7 wt % of Amberlyst D001 (dry) catalyst; the product's oxirane oxygen content was 0.081% with 38.32 mm²/s viscosity at 40 °C. The catalyst retained its high catalytic power after recycling five times. Furthermore, the determined non-catalyzed activation energy was 76 kJ·mol^-1 and 54 kJ·mol^-1 with the D001 resin catalyst. The product's chemical structure was investigated through FT-IR and ¹H NMR. The viscosity, flash point, pour point, and anti-wear properties of the product were improved compared with those of epoxidized biodiesel.