OPTIMIZATION OF THE SYNTHESIS OF AN ANALOG OF JOJOBA OIL USING A FULLY CENTRAL COMPOSITE DESIGN

The development and optimisation of the synthesis of an analogue of jo joba oil has been carried out. The product is an ester with characteri stics similar to those of sperm whale oil and jojoba oil. This permits its use as a substitute for these two natural oils. A central composi te design has been used in the synthesis of this fine chemical. The va riables selected for the present study are reaction temperature, initi al concentration of catalyst and working pressure. Temperature is the most significant factor in the ester cation process, and its influence is positive. Pressure has a negative influence, and the concentration of catalyst a positive influence, on the process. Depending on the te mperature value, the influence of the interactions can be more importa nt than that of the other two main effects, pressure and catalyst conc entration. Response surface models have been found adequately to repre sent the yield of ester. The commercial quality of the synthesised pro duct is very similar to that of natural jojoba oil. Because of its low cost, this synthesis process is considered, from an economical point of view, very attractive.