Synthesis of Ketones from Palm Fatty Acids Over Layered Double Hydroxide Mg/Al/Cu Catalyst

The synthesis of ketones from C18:1 fatty acid using the fatty acid decarboxylation method has been carried out to increase the added value of oil palm derivative products. One of the derivative products of palm oil is Crude Palm Oil, which can be converted into fatty acids through the triglyceride hydrolysis process. Currently, palm oil fatty acids are the most potential environmentally friendly raw material in Indonesia. This research aims to synthesize ketones from palm oil fatty acids under different fatty acid types and catalyst concentrations. Ketone compounds were synthesized using a base catalyst of solid layered double hydroxide based on Mg/Al/Cu environmentally friendly because it does not produce by-products that can become pollutants. The ketone product was analyzed using the Fehling test, Tollens test, and FTIR. The results showed that the success of ketone synthesis using the fatty acid decarboxylation method into ketones through the Fehling test that red brick precipitate did not form and the Tollens test also indicated no silver mirror formation. Meanwhile, the results of the FTIR test showed the presence of ketone compounds at peak frequencies of 1697–1710 cm^-1. This study confirms that ketones produced from fatty acids have the potential to be environmentally friendly raw materials for diesel fuel, lubricants, and surfactants.