A low viscosity polyol has been functionalized from crude Jatropha oil via epoxidation and subsequent ring-opening. Starting with the crude Jatropha oil, the double bonds are functionalized by introducing epoxy groups and ring-opened to produce hydroxyl groups. The experiment employs more concentrated 50% hydrogen peroxide and effectively produce solvent-free epodixidized Jatropha oil within shorter reaction time of 5 h with maximum oxirane oxygen content of 4.30% and viscosity of 0.57-0.60 Pa.s. The epoxidized Jatropha oil is then transform into Jatropha-based polyol with hydroxyl number of 171-179 mg KOH/g, low viscosity of 0.92-0.98 Pa.s. and functionality of 5.1-5.3. The epoxidation and ring-opening process are monitored by viscometer and FTIR. The produced polyol permit more time for molding and additives addition during polyurethane due to its low viscosity.

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Palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), a byproduct of crude palm oil (CPO) refining, is an attractive feedstock for biolubricants due to its inedible nature and the fact that its cost is lower than that of palm oil. Ethylhexyl ester is a novel high‐performance biolubricant synthesized via the non‐catalytic esterification of PFAD with 2‐ethylhexanol (2EH), normally the esterification of PFAD with methanol (MeOH). By substituting a longer carbon chain alcohol for MeOH, the cold flow characteristics, flashpoint, and oxidative stability are improved. The optimal esterification parameters were 1:2 (PFAD:2EH) mole ratio, 180 °C, 100 rpm, and 6 h. The kinetic reaction fitted the pseudo‐first order well with an activation energy of 29.89 kJmol−1 and a pre‐exponential factor of 15.05 min−1. The increase in ester purity and conversion from 44 to 95% and 97 to 99.5% were achieved by fractionation via vacuum distillation at 125–200 °C and 47–55 mbar. The physicochemical properties of the ester appear to be suitable as ISO VG 10 lubricant for hydraulic application in terms of kinematic viscosity at 100 °C of 2.9 mm2/s−1, a viscosity index of 243, and a flash point of 180 °C. This study will assist in designing industrial biolubricant reactors. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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