Reactivity of the biphasic trichloroacetonitrile-CH2Cl2/H2O2 system in the epoxidation of soybean oil

Abstract

In this work we report on the epoxidation of soybean oil by the trichloroacetonitrile -CH2Cl2/H2O2 byphasic system. The reaction was carried out at room temperature and, most importantly, in non acid conditions which prevent the opening of the oxirane ring. The epoxidized soybean oil was characterized by infrared, 1H and 13C NMR. A maximum conversion of 81 % was achieved in two hours with 86% of selectivity in epoxy groups

Keywords

• biphasic system
• epoxidation
• hydrogen peroxide
• nitrile
• soybean oil