Abstract:
This work study glycerolysis of methyl palmitate using sodium phosphate as a catalyst. The study aim to synthesis the highest yield of monopalmitin. Sodium phosphate was a new catalyst for glycerolysis of methyl palmitate reaction. It was successful catalyst because of selectivity to monopalmitin. The influences of glycerolysis of methyl palmitate parameters; agitation speeds, molar ratio of glycerol to methyl palmitate, operating temperatures, the amount of catalyst and methanol removal from process were determined. Methanol was a key parameter for glycerolysis of methyl palmitate reaction because its influence reaction moving forward. The high amount of methanol which removed from methyl palmitate phase, reaction was forced to produce more product content but less monopalmitin yield. When the operating temperature was higher, glycerol conversion was also higher. The increasing of amount of catalyst and glycerol to methyl palmitate ratio, monopalmitin yield was higher. The highest monopalmitin yield condition was studied at 245 degree Celsius, molar ratio of glycerol to methyl palmitate 3:1, 1wt% of sodium phosphate with methanol removal 1h. The highest monopalmitin yield of the study was 60 percent yield with methyl palmitate conversion 73 percent by mole. The two liters autoclave stainless-steel reactor was agitated under 800 rpm condition to minimize effect of mass transfer on glycerolsis of methyl palmitate reaction. Glycerol was measured by titration. All products were determined by high temperature gas chromatography.