Obtaining valuable chemicals from castor oil

In this thesis, suitable NaOH/oil ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time were determined in order to obtain high yields of 2-octanol and sebacic acid by alkaline fusion of castor oil in the presence of 1% catalyst (Pb3O4) by mass using microwave synthesis unit. As a result, 8:15 NaOH/oil ratio, 240°C reaction temperature and 10 minutes reaction time yielded 30,7% 2-octanol and 25,5% sebacic acid on the basis of their theoretical yields. Purities of 2-octanol and sebacic acid were determined by GC analysis and purity of sebacic acid was further assessed by its acid value and melting point and the results are in good agreement with the standard values. Keywords: Castor Oil, Ricinoleic Acid, 2-Octanol, Sebacic Acid, Microwave Synthesis Unit