Efficient conversion of triacylglycerols and fatty acids to biodiesel in a microwave reactor using metal triflate catalysts.
We report that catalytic quantities of the Lewis acidic metal catalysts scandium triflate and bismuth triflate promote conversion of oleic, linoleic, palmitic and myristic acids and their glyceryl triesters to the corresponding methyl esters (biodiesel) in greater than 90% yield upon microwave heating. Additionally, both catalysts could be recovered and reused in esterification reactions at least six times.
Socha
Aaron M
AM
Department of Chemistry, Brown University, 324 Brook Street, Box H, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA.
Sello
Jason K
JK
D056804:Biofuels; D002384:Catalysis; D004951:Esterification; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D058116:Lewis Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D008698:Mesylates / Q000737:chemistry*; D008872:Microwaves; D012538:Scandium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000737:chemistry*
D056804:Biofuels; D005227:Fatty Acids; D058116:Lewis Acids; D008698:Mesylates; D014280:Triglycerides; C436603:scandium triflate; C445789:Bi(OTf)3; D012538:Scandium