Alkaline-earth metal compounds as alcoholysis catalysts for ester oils synthesis Original Research Article

Some esters of carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols are environmental friendly lubricants of superior properties. This work presents an attempt to use alkaline-earth metal compounds as catalysts for alcoholysis reaction in terms of synthesis di(2-ethylhexyl) adipate and an oligomeric ester of neopentyl glycol. Magnesium methoxide, calcium oxide, calcium alkoxides and barium hydroxide appear to be active catalysts for transesterification. The mechanism of catalytic activity of these compounds in alcoholysis reaction has been proposed. Synthesised esters possess suitable physicochemical properties as lubricant oils.