Recent advances of ring opening of epoxidation of palm oil derived from oleic acid via in situ hydrolysis under moderate temperature

Epoxidized oleic acid was considered a more sustainable alternative to traditional plasticizers such as phthalates, which have been linked to potential health and environmental hazards. This study aims to synthesize and characterize the formation of dihydroxystearic acid (DHSA) from the ring opening of epoxidized oleic acid. The optimal reaction parameters to produce DHSA were found using sulfuric acid as catalyst in which the maximum relative conversion was reached up to 86%. The detection of hydroxyl group was using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. Then, a mathematical model was developed using MATLAB software, and as a result the kinetic model provided a good description of the reaction process, and it could be used to predict the behavior of the reaction under different conditions. Overall, the optimal reaction conditions and the maximum relative conversion of palm oleic acid to oxirane, are important contributions to the field of green chemistry.