K2CO3-MeOH-Catalyzed Synthesis and Computational Studies of 3-Chloro-2- Hydroxypropyl Stearate: Toxicity and Microspecies Distribution

Abstract

Catalysts have found application in the production of a wide variety of useful chemicals. The ring opening of epichlorohydrin by fatty acids using various catalysts are among the major routes for the derivation of multifunctional organic chemicals. Existing methods are marred by complexities. In this present study, we demonstrated the use of potassium carbonate suspension in methanol as a cheaper alternative for catalyzing this important reaction using stearic acid and epichlorohydrin as precursors. The synthesized product was characterized using FTIR, NMR, and computational methods, confirming the presence of key functional groups, including a C=O ester stretch, a pronounced C–Cl stretch and a strong C–O stretch. NMR results also supported these findings, with ¹³C NMR signals at δ 171.55 (C=O), 63.73 (CCH₂O), and 48.29 (CH₂Cl). The molecular weight (MW) of 376.27, total polar surface area (TPSA) of 46.53, Log P of 7.33, and Log S of - 8.52 suggest amphiphilic properties, indicating potential surfactant applications. Computational studies revealed a flexible molecular structure (nRot = 20) and a single stereocenter (nStereo = 1), further supporting its suitability for surfactant-related applications. Additionally, toxicity predictions suggested a low environmental risk profile, making the compound a promising candidate for industrial applications. These findings highlight the potential of K₂CO₃/MeOH as an efficient catalyst for epoxide ring-opening reactions while providing insights into the physicochemical behavior of the synthesized compound.