[RESEARCH NOTE]

Philippine Journal of Science
152 (3): 983–988, June 2023
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 22 Jan 2023

Selective Synthesis of Monolaurin: a Preliminary Investigation

Ruel Cayona1,2* and Gilbert Yu1,3

1Department of Chemistry, School of Science and Engineering,
Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Ave., Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines
2Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics,
Mindanao State University Main Campus, Marawi City, Philippines
3Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology
Research and Development, Department of Science and Technology,
Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines

*Corresponding author: ruel.cayona@msumain.edu.ph

[Download]
Cayona R, Yu G. 2023. Selective Synthesis of Monolaurin:
a Preliminary Investigation. Philipp J Sci 152(3): 983–988.
https://doi.org/10.56899/152.03.18

 

 

ABSTRACT

Monolaurin (ML) is a monoacylglycerol (MAG) with important industrial and biomedical properties. It is commonly prepared in large quantities from the direct esterification of lauric acid (LA) and glycerol with chemical catalysts. However, this method also generates other glyceride by-products whose properties are inferior to ML. Enzymes have also been used to optimize selectivity, but enhancing scalability and throughput is always challenging. Successful selective convergent chemical synthesis of ML involving activated derivatives of LA and glycerol is demonstrated in this study. The present yield of 3.41% can be improved with careful process control.