Rapeseed oil and isooctanol were catalyzed by sodium methoxide to prepare fatty acid isooctyl ester through transesterification reaction. The effects of catalyst dosage, molar ratio of isooctanol to rapeseed oil, reaction temperature and reaction time on the content of fatty acid ester were studied. The structure, composition and low temperature performance of the products were evaluated. The results showed that the optimal transesterification process conditions were obtained as follows: molar ratio of isooctanol to rapeseed oil 5∶ 1, catalyst dosage 0.6% (based on oil mass), reaction temperature 50 ℃ and reaction time 20 min. Under these conditions, the content of fatty acid ester in the product was 9513%, and the content of fatty acid isooctyl ester reached 86.23%, mainly isooctyl oleate (5806%). The freezing point of the product was-32 ℃, much lower than that of rapeseed oil (-18 ℃). |