Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 18 June 2006, p. 231-238
ALKANOLAMIDES FROM 9,10-DIHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID
Alkanolamides of dihydroxystearic acid (DHSA-alkanolamides) have been synthesized. The factors that may affect their esterification, such as reaction time and temperature, were studied. Given the same time course, ethanolamine gave higher yield due to its shorter carbon chain compared to that of propanolamine. The products were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography as well as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. From the gas chromatography, DHSA-ethanolamide and DHSA-propanolamide were detected at retention times of 15.62 min and 16.61 min, respectively. These compounds were found to be non-irritants to the skin and biodegraded more than 60% in 20 days.
KEYWORDS:* Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
P. O. Box 10620,
50720 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia.
E-mail: roila@mpob.gov.my
** Department of Chemistry,
Faculty of Science,
Universiti Putra Malaysia,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor,
Malaysia.