In: Chemistry
prepartion of biodiesel lab
Describe the role of potassium hydroxide in this reaction?
Ans. During synthesis of biodiesel from vegetable oils in lab, the reaction mixture consists of methanol, KOH (KOH solution in methanol) and vegetable oil.
During transesterification, methyl group of methanol is transferred to the carbonyl O-atom of fatty acid forming biodiesel. The transesterification reaction ins base-catalyzed in which KOH acts as a catalyst.
(RCOOH)3 + CH3OH ------------KOH as catalyst---------> RCOO-CH2 + (HCOH)3
Veg. oil methanol biodiesel Glycerol