New metal catalysts for soybean oil transesterification

Abstract

Abstract We report here the synthesis, characterization, and use of tin (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone) 2 (H 2 O) 2 , lead (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone) 2 (H 2 O) 2 , mercury (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone) 2 ‐(H 2 O) 2 , and zinc (3‐hydroxy‐2‐methyl‐4‐pyrone) 2 (H 2 O) 2 as catalysts in the transesterification reaction of soybean oil with methanol. All complexes are active in this reaction, with the following decreasing activities: Sn 2+ ≫Zn 2+ >Pb 2+ ≈Hg 2+ . The catalytic activities of these complexes were also compared with classical alkali and acid transesterification catalysis (with NaOH and H 2 SO 4 ).