CLAY‑BASED PILLARED CATALYSTS FORSUSTAINABLEMETHYL OLEATE PRODUCTION
This research focuses on the catalytic dehydration of methyl 12-hydroxystearate, a derivative of non-edible castor oil, into methyl oleate using vanadia-pillared montmorillonite catalysts modified with zirconium, iron, and cerium. Structural and physicochemical analyses were conducted to establish correlations between catalyst properties andperformance. The unmodified vanadia-pillared clay demonstrated exceptional activity, achieving nearly completeconversion (99.94%) with high selectivity (84.48%) toward methyl oleate. Among the modified systems, ceriumdoping significantly improved yield and selectivity, whereas iron incorporation reduced efficiency due to enhancedformation of the trans-isomer. The catalytic outcomes were strongly influenced by the balance of weak and mediumacid sites, highlighting the importance of acid site engineering in catalyst design. The broader implications of thiswork lie in advancing sustainable oleochemical production. By enabling direct dehydration of renewable feedstocks, these catalysts reduce the need for additional derivatisation steps, lower energy requirements, and improve product selectivity.
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