Synthesis of lubricating oil from coconut oil

Abstract

Synthesis of lubricating oil was prepared by transesterification of coconut oil with alcohol (1-hexanol, 1-octanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol) by using concentrated sulphuric acid as catalyst and then hydrogenation. The transesterification coconut oil and cyclohexanol was carried out at 90℃ for 3 hours. The optimum operation conditions for hydrogenation was 5% catalyst by weight of oil at 150℃ under pressure 100 psi for 3 hours in the presence of 3% platinum on alumina as catalyst. This synthetic ester was potential used as a lubricating oil with posses its high viscosity index, low pour point and good thermal and oxidation stability.