Synthesis of porphyrinic derivatives from cardanol as petroleum fluorescent marker

Abstract

A novel fluorescent marker for diesel fuels was synthesized from cardanol, which was obtained from cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). The synthesis of meso-tetrakis(2-methoxylphenyl)porphyrin was performed as a model synthetic pathway in the synthesis of porphyrin from cardanol. The resulting meso-tetrakis(2-methoxy-4-pentadecylphenyl)porphyrin (7) exhibited high solubility in diesel fuel and common organic solvents. When added into diesel fuel at the concentration of 2-5 ppm, porphyrin 7 exhibits satisfactory optical properties in diesel fuel. Compared with those of unmarked diesel, the physical properties of porphyrin 7-containing diesel fuel investigated by ASTM testing methods are not significantly altered. By monitoring its fluorescence intensity, stability of porphyrin 7 in diesel fuel was evaluated and found to be stable for 3 month.