Process optimization using novel acidic ionic liquids and the kinetics modeling of methyl esters using Jatropha curcas oil with dimethyl carbonate

The objective of this study was to use n -hexane containing an ionic liquid for the extraction of oil and transesterification for the production of methyl esters from Jatropha curcas oil. A solid acidic ionic liquid polymer was synthesized using vinyl imidazole, 1,3-propane sultone, N , N -dimethylhexadecyl amine, allyl bromide, toluene, and the product was characterized by NMR and used for the transesterification. The optimum reaction conditions that resulted in the highest methyl ester yield of 94% were a J. curcas oil-to-dimethyl carbonate molar ratio of 1:5, a solid acidic ionic liquid polymer catalyst loading of 260 wt%, for 6 h with 500 rpm at 80 °C. Methyl esters were purified using celite powder and then analyzed by GC–MS. The activation energy and reaction rate constant were calculated from 4.862 to15.382 kJ/mol, and 0.389 to 4.602, respectively. The methyl esters met the quality standards defined under ASTM D6751-02.