Soybean Oil Epoxidation by Heterogeneous Catalyst of Silica Sulfuric Acid

In situ epoxidation reaction of soybean oil from the raw materials of acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide was performed for the first time in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst، namely silica sulfuric acid within the temperature of 30-75 °C. By altering the molar ratios of soybean oil، acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide and also the reaction temperature and percent of catalyst، the optimum condition of the epoxidation reaction for obtaining the highest value of epoxy percent in epoxidized soybean oil was achieved. The maximum oxirane value obtained in he product was 6% which was achieved at the optimum condition of the reaction، involving the molar ratio of soybean oil، acetic acid and hydrogen peroxide of 1:0. 5:1. 1 respectively، at the temperature of 60 °C and in the presence of 5% catalyst. Moreover، in comparison with the other acid liquid catalysts usually used for epoxidation reactions، silica sulfuric acid have several advantages including ease of usage، being inexpensive، having high chemical activity and safety and being environmentally friendly.