Effective synthesis of cetyl palmitate over co-precipitated WO3–ZrO2 catalysts

Abstract

This study is focused on the development of solid acid catalysts for the synthesis of long chain fatty acids. A series of WO 3 -ZrO 2 catalysts were prepared by co-precipitation method and tested in the synthesis of cetyl palmitate. The effect of WO 3 loading (10, 15, and 20 wt% WO 3 ) and calcination temperature (700 and 800 °C) on the catalyst properties and activity was investigated. XRD and Raman analysis confirmed that WO 3 loading stabilized the tetragonal zirconia phase. Higher calcination temperature enhanced the acidities of the catalysts. WO 3 -ZrO 2 catalysts were found to be very efficient for the synthesis of cetyl palmitate with high selectivity. These catalysts were tested for different reaction temperatures (135 and 162 °C), feed composition and catalyst amounts. The highest cetyl palmitate yield (98.4%) was obtained over the catalyst calcined at 800 °C with 15 wt% WO 3 , which had the highest total acidity. The catalysts preserved their activities up to three reuse.