Artigo
p-Sulfonic acid calix[n]arenes as organocatalysts for the transesterification reaction of Passiflora seed oil
Autor
Liberto, Natália A.
Almeida, Camila G.
Souza, Isabella F.
Silva, Márcio J. da
Fernandes, Sergio A.
Hyaric, Mireille Le
Institución
Resumen
The catalytic activity of p-sulfonic acid calix[4]arene was studied in the transesterification reactions of Passiflora seed oil with methanol or ethanol. Calix[n]arenes are highly versatile organocatalysts and conversion rates >98 % were obtained for the transformation of Passiflora seed oil to its methyl or ethyl esters after 5 h of reaction in the presence of p-sulfonic acid calix[4]arene (3.52 mol % in ethanol; 5.28 mol % in methanol). Moreover, the organocatalyst was recovered and reused in two subsequent cycles without a significant decrease in the activity or selectivity. The use of a non-corrosive and reusable organocatalyst is the positive aspect of this process.