Sintesis Metil Eugenol Melalui Reaksi Eterifikasi pada Variasi Mol Kalium Karbonat dan Dimetil Karbonat

Abstract

This study aims to synthesize methyl eugenol through etherification reaction at various moles of potassium carbonate as base and dimethyl carbonate as methyl group donor. The reaction was carried out under reflux conditions for 5 hours at a temperature of ≥91°C using TBAB catalyst as a phase transfer catalyst. by varying the moles of K₂CO₃ (0.3; 0.6; and 0.9 mmol) and DMC (14; 16; and 18 mmol). The resulting products were analyzed using FT-IR spectroscopy and GC-MS to identify changes in functional groups and methyl eugenol content. The best results were obtained at variations of K₂CO₃ moles of 0.6 mmol and DMC 16 mmol, producing methyl eugenol with a % area of methyl eugenol from the GC-MS analysis results of 82.72%. FT-IR analysis of methyl eugenol showed the disappearance of the –OH stretching group absorption band at wave numbers around 3600-3200 cm-1 and supported by an increase in the C-O-C stretching absorption intensity of the ether at wave numbers 1267.3 cm-1, indicating the success of the etherification reaction and the formation of methyl eugenol. This study shows that DMC can be used as a more environmentally friendly methylation agent compared to conventional methylation agents such as methyl halide or dimethyl sulfate.