Abstract

In this work the effects of temperature on the dimerization of pumpkin seed (Telfairia occidentalis) oil was investigated and the dependence of dimer yields on reaction temperature and time was determined. Pumpkin seed oil (2283.75 g) was solvent extracted from seeds of the fluted pumpkin (Telfairia occidentalis), using petroleum ether (60 to 80°C). Samples of the oil were dimerized at varying temperatures ranging from 310 to 350°C; using 0.25% weight resublimed iodine catalyst under nitrogen atmosphere. The extent of reaction was determined by measuring changes in refractive index, molecular weight and acid values of the dimerized oil samples. A dimer yield of 18.7% was obtained in the process whose progress was a function of temperature and reaction time. Thermodynamic investigation showed that the reaction was exothermic.

Key words: Telfairia occidentalis, dimerized oil, dimer, exothermicity, reaction order, kinetics.