Activity of Zn Carboxylic Salts as Catalysts for the Production of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters

REINOSO D.; DAMIANI D.; TONETTO G.

Munich

Congreso; 15th International Congress on Catalysis; 2012

The synthesis of biodiesel (FAME, fatty acid methyl esters) from renewable biological sources has received considerable attention due to its environmental advantages and sustainable production in comparison with fossil fuels In general, biodiesel is produced by transesterification of vegetable oils with methanol in the presence of a strong liquid base, and it requires refined vegetable oil. The study of the application of heterogeneous catalysts that lead to more efficient processes is considered of great importance and utility, even more if they are capable of catalyzing both reactions: the esterification of fatty acids and the transesterification of triglycerides. The present work studies the activity of zinc carboxylic salts in the esterification of oleic acid and the transesterification of soybean oil with methanol.