FORMATION OF A JOJOBA OIL ANALOG BY ESTERIFICATION OF OLEIC-ACID USING ZEOLITES AS CATALYST

An analog of Jojoba oil has been obtained by esterification of oleic acid with oleic alcohol, using ultrastable Y zeolites as catalysts. A maximum in activity is observed at 30-40 and almost-equal-to 10 Al/u.c. for steam and SiCl4-dealuminated samples, respectively. Ultrastable zeolites do not catalyze the formation of esters with 38 or more carbon atoms, but are very active and selective for those with 32-34 and 36 carbon atoms. The reaction takes place on an outer shell of the crystallites, the crystallite size and surface composition being important parameters for controlling both activity and selectivity.