Optimization of a novel method for the conversion of tyrosol to hydroxytyrosol via catalytic process using statistical experimental design: kinetic study

The present research work undertakes the investigation of an effective and inexpensive process to produce hydroxytyrosol, a naturally occurring orthodiphenolic antioxidant molecule found in olive oil from its monophenolic precursor tyrosol. This conversion was achieved from the wet hydrogen peroxide catalytic oxidation with montmorillonite KSF as economical and environment-friendly solid acid at room temperature. The impact of the primary functional parameters comprising tyrosol, H2O2, catalyst concentration and the interaction between them were performed using an experimental design Box-Behnken methodology. The percentage of 80% of tyrosol was converted, under the optimized operating conditions with higher hydroxytyrosol selectivity up to 90%. A kinetics of a pseudo first order pertaining to the tyrosol concentration was noticed. Montmorillonite KSF shows excellent stability and can be reused in three runs without significant activity decrease. The proposed procedure, investigated for the first time, is operationally simple and could find applications for industrial purposes. [GRAPHICS] .