Kinetics of the formation of symmetrical wax esters from the corresponding alcohols with the use of hydrobromic acid and hydrogen peroxide

Abstract

AbstractThe primary aliphatic alcohols n‐octanol, n‐decanol, and n‐dodecanol have been converted to their corresponding symmetrical esters by using HBr and H2O2 in the absence of a solvent. The reaction was carried out at 30, 40, and 50°C and at mole ratios of alcohol to HBr of 1∶0.1, 1∶0.2, 1∶0.3, and 1∶0.5. The rate of the reaction was found to increase with increase in the reaction temperature and concentration of HBr. The maximal conversion of n‐octanol was 72% at 40°C and a mole ratio of n‐octanol to HBr of 1∶0.5. The kinetics of the reaction have been established, and the reaction was found to be first‐order with respect to alcohol and bromine concentration in the organic phase, and second‐order with respect to both. The second‐order rate constants for n‐octanol, n‐decanol, and n‐dodecanol are 27.08, 32.58, and 37.42 mL mol−1 min−1, respectively, at 40°C. The activation energy for the esterification reaction of n‐octanol was found to be 16.32 kcal mol−1.