Synthesis and characterization of neopenthyl glycol diolete as a biolubricant base

Neopenthyl glycol is a polyol that is potential to be a good base for biolubricant via esterification process with oleic acid. In this study, esterification reaction between NPG and oleic acid has been carried out in the presence of 2% w/w sulphuric acid (based on weight of FA) as a catalyst to produce NPG dioleate. The temperature for this reaction was 130°C and the molar ration of oleic acid: NPG was 2:1. The time for the reaction was 4 hours. The presence of the ester in the product was confirmed through Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and followed by NPG diolete composition determination via Gas Chromatography (GC-FID). The structure of NPG diolete was confirmed using both proton and carbon Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H-NMR and 13C-NMR) analysis. 100% NPG diolete were obtained in this study. The viscosity index of the product is 227, flash point 200°C, pour point −44°C and oxidative stability 177°C.