Selective synthesis of monolaurin catalyzed by layered zinc laurate

In the present study, zinc laurate (ZL) was synthesized by precipitation and characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermal analysis. ZL was applied for monolaurin synthesis by esterification of lauric acid with glycerol using a 2(3) factorial design to determine the best conditions for monolaurin production. Conversion of nearly to 70% was achieved by using a lauric acid:glycerol molar ratio of 1:1, 2 wt % of catalyst and 140 degrees C, reaching to 33% of monolaurin selectivity. Statistical analyses at a confidence level of 95% indicated that the decrease in lauric acid:glycerol molar ratio was significant to enhance the monolaurin production. Moreover, the solid was able to be reused, preserving its original structure and the catalytic activity, which indicated the potential use in continuous processes.