Dual-End-Functionalized Tin (Sn)-Phyllosilicates for the Esterification of Oleic Acid

We designed dual-end-functionalized tin (Sn)-phyllosilicate, where the -SH functional groups were subsequently oxidized for -SO3H/SO4H functionalities in a Bronsted acid with/without NH2 functional groups in a Bronsted base. Dual-end-functionalized tin (Sn)-phyllosilicates [MTES:APTS = 1.0:0.11, MTES:TEOS = 1.0:0.11 and 1.0:0.43, v/v] were fabricated where the inorganic framework of Sn species can function as a Lewis acid. The Sn-phyllosilicates with dual acids were applied to esterify oleic acid and produce oleic acid-methyl-ester to test their feasibility as fatty-acid-conversion solid catalysts. In the absence of amine groups, the increase in ratio of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) to (3-mercaptopropyl)-trimethoxysilane (MTES) for the synthesis of Sn-phyllosilicates (MTES:TEOS = 1.0:0.11 and 1.0:0.43, v/v) increased the recovery of Sn-phyllosilicate in the solvent media and gradually decreased the oleic acid methyl-ester production efficiency (%) of the oleic acid conversion. At the fixed 2.0 wt% Sn-phyllosilicate (MTES:APTS = 1.0:0.11, v/v) loading and oleic acid:MeOH weight ratio = 1:1, an 80 degrees C reaction temperature and 4 h reaction time were determined to be the optimal conditions for the oleic acid methyl-ester production, which had 90% oleic acid conversion efficiency. When the Sn-phyllosilicate (MTES:APTS = 1.0:0.11, v/v) loading was increased from 0.1 to 5.0 wt% at 80 degrees C and 4 h, the fatty-acid conversion efficiency (%) of oleic acid gradually increased from 39.16 to 92.23%. In contrast, Sn-phyllosilicate (MTES:TEOS = 1.0:0.43) had the lowest oleic acid conversion efficiency (%) but the highest catalyst recovery. In summary, this study presents a facile method to produce oleic acid conversion catalysts on an industrial scale. (C) 2016 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.