Synthesis And Characterization Of Epoxidized Thevetia Peruviana Seed Oil

The seed oil of Thevetia peruviana was extracted using soxhlet extraction method with n-hexane. The physicochemical parameters of the extracted oil were determined using standard analytical methods. The extracted oil was epoxidized using peracid generated in situ from aqueous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and glacial acetic acid. The epoxidized oil was analysed for the functional groups present using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer. The physiochemical parameters of Thevetia peruviana seed oil showed the following results; acid value (3.86 mg KOH/g), iodine value (92.5 Wij’s), peroxide value (30.0 meq/kg), kinetic viscosity (1.7cp) and saponification value (121.76 mgKOH/g) while the epoxidized oil has acid value (0.49 mg KOH/g), iodine value (68.10 Wij’s), peroxide value (7.99 meq/kg), kinetic viscosity (5.57cp) and saponification value (156.1 mgKOH/g). The FTIR results showed that both unepoxidised and epoxidized oils showed the following functional groups OH at wavelengths 3469.50 cm^-1, 3468.72 cm^-1 and 3467.75 cm^-1; CH at 2917.75 cm^-1, 2922.47 cm^-1 and 2924.61 cm^-1; CH₂ at 2852.39 cm^-1, 2852.81 cm^-1 and 2853.68 cm^-1; C=O at 2679.32 cm^-1, 2679.41 cm^-1 and 2673.30 cm^-1; C=C at 1656.14 cm^-1, 1654.55 cm^-1 and 1655.5 cm^-1 while the C≡C at wavelength 2030.69 cm^-1 that was identified in the unepoxidised oil was found to be absent in the epoxidised oil and a peak indicating epoxyl group was identified in the epoxidized oil. The percentage conversion of oxirane was determined to be 83.5%. This shows that epoxides were effectively formed. The high oil yield and percentage conversion of oxirane makes Thevetia peruviana a good feedstock for production of industrial intermediates