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The catalytic activity of Bronsted acidic ionic liquid N-methyl-2-pyrrolidonium methyl sulphate ([NMP][CH3SO3]) was studied in the esterification of oleic acid with oleyl alcohol under mild conditions and without any additional organic solvent. The effect of various reaction parameters were optimised to obtain a high percentage yield (%) of oleyl oleate. The optimal conditions for the ester synthesis were a reaction time of 8 h, temperature at 90°C, amount of catalyst 9.9% as a percentage of the weight of the oleic acid and a molar ratio of substrate of 1 which resulted in a maximum percentage yield of 86%. Analysis of the product of the reaction using FTIR, 1H and 13C NMR showed the presence of oleyl oleate.
