Kinetic Investigation of Erucamide Synthesis Using Fatty Acid and Urea

Abstract

Fatty acid amides like erucamide are mainly used for lubrication and as slip agent to decrease friction in polymer and plastic industry. Erucamide is normally synthesized by ammonolysis of triglycerides or fatty acids at 200°C and at high pressure (345-690 kPa.). However using urea in place of ammonia the economic synthesis of erucamide is possible at atmospheric pressure at approx 190°C. In present investigation, the kinetics of synthesis of erucamide by ammonolysis of erucic acid has been investigated. The optimum conditions for the synthesis of erucamide have also been determined. 1:4 molar ratio of erucic acid to urea, 190°C temperature and catalyst [P₂O₅ with (NH₄)₂H PO₄, {(1:1) w/w }] concentration 3% (by wt. of erucic acid) were the optimum condition for synthesis of erucamide from erucic acid and can obtain a maximum yield of 92% of pure erucamide. Some other catalysts as titanium-iso -propoxide, phosphorus pent oxide were also tried but these catalysts were not economical.