Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Quantitative Determination of De Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis in Brown Adipose Tissue Using Deuterium Oxide
Published on: May 12, 2023
Difatty acyl urea from corn oil: synthesis and characterization
Emad A Jaffar Al-Mulla1, Wan Md Zin Wan Yunus, Nor Azowa Bt Ibrahim
1Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
Researchers synthesized difatty acyl urea from corn oil, yielding ethyl fatty ester and glycerol. Optimal conditions achieved 78% conversion in 8 hours using specific reactant ratios and temperature.
Area of Science:
- Organic Chemistry
- Green Chemistry
- Biomass Conversion
Background:
- Corn oil is a readily available and renewable feedstock.
- Urea can be utilized as a nitrogen source for chemical synthesis.
- Developing sustainable chemical processes is crucial for environmental protection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize difatty acyl urea from corn oil.
- To investigate the reaction kinetics and optimize conditions for difatty acyl urea synthesis.
- To characterize the synthesized products using advanced analytical techniques.
Main Methods:
- Corn oil was reacted with urea in ethanol under reflux conditions.
- Sodium ethoxide was employed as a catalyst for the synthesis.
- Optimization of reaction time, temperature, and reactant ratios was performed.
Main Results:
- Difatty acyl urea was successfully synthesized with a maximum conversion of 78%.
- Optimal conditions included an 8-hour reaction time, a urea to corn oil ratio of 5.6:1.0, and a temperature of 78°C.
- Ethyl fatty ester and glycerol were identified as by-products.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates an efficient method for synthesizing difatty acyl urea from corn oil.
- The characterized products hold potential for various chemical applications.
- This process offers a sustainable route for utilizing corn oil in organic synthesis.
Related Concept Videos
Overview of Fatty Acid Metabolism
Fatty acids are catabolized in a process called beta-oxidation, which takes place in the matrix of the mitochondria and converts their fatty acid chains into two-carbon units of acetyl groups. The acetyl...
Preparation of Amides
The DCC-promoted synthesis of amides begins with the protonation of DCC by carboxylic acid. The protonation makes it a better acceptor. Next, the addition of carboxylate to the protonated carbodiimide gives a reactive acylating agent.
Subsequently, the amine acts as a nucleophile that attacks the acylating agent to form a tetrahedral intermediate. In the...
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Mechanism
Alkylation of β-Diester Enolates: Malonic Ester Synthesis
Carboxylic Acids to Esters: Acid-Catalyzed (Fischer) Esterification Overview
Carboxylic Acids to Methylesters: Alkylation using Diazomethane

