Synthesis and study of the application of cyclohexyl ethers based on a mixture of natural petroleum and fatty acids

In the presented article, research work was carried out in the direction of developing an improved method for obtaining environmentally friendly and energy-saving esters of natural petroleum and fatty acids, the synthesis of effective odorless and colorless plasticizers capable of dissolving polymeric materials, as well as new antioxidants that improve the quality and performance properties of diesel fuel. Natural petroleum and C9-C11 fatty acids cyclohexanol and heterogeneous catalyst TiO2 were used for the research. In order to select optimal conditions under which a high yield of cyclohexyl esters of natural petroleum acids is observed, the influence of temperature, amount of catalyst and the molar ratio of cyclohexanol on the course of the esterification reaction was studied and the optimal conditions were determined. The parameters of the synthesized cyclohexyl ethers were determined by analytical and spectral methods, and a material balance of the process of their preparation was compiled. Since esters of cyclic acids and alcohols are among a number of promising plasticizers, the plasticizing properties of the synthesized esters with polyvinyl chloride resin were studied. The chemical stability of diesel fuel is characterized by its resistance to oxidation during transportation, operation, storage and is determined by the amount of sediment formed in the fuel (mg/100 ml). Taking this into account, the synthesized esters were tested as an antioxidant that improves the thermal-oxidative stability of diesel fuel and an antidepressant, with the aim of studying the cloud point and freezing point, characterizing low-temperature properties, and it was determined that the sediment of diesel fuel, as well as the cloud point, are significantly reduced. Thus, cyclohexyl ethers can be recommended as an effective plasticizer for polymer materials and a new antioxidant that improves the properties of diesel fuel.