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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 2007  > February  >
In the Laboratory
Biodiesel Synthesis and Evaluation: An Organic Chemistry Experiment
Ehren C. Bucholtz
Department of Sciences and Mathematics, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, IN 47876
Cover
February 2007
Vol. 84 No. 2
p. 296

Abstract
Recent environmental regulations regarding diesel fuel standards and the role the Midwest may play in future fuel production provides an opportunity to relate principles of organic chemistry to everyday life. Biodiesel is the transesterification product of triglycerides of vegetable oils with methanol to form fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs). The resultant FAME fuel has decreased viscosity compared to vegetable oil and fuel properties similar to petroleum-based diesel fuel. In this two week lab sequence students synthesize and evaluate fatty acid methyl esters from simulated waste vegetable oil. To maximize product, students determine weight percent of free fatty acid in the sample and convert the acids to FAMEs via acid-catalyzed Fischer esterification. After conversion of FFA, the remaining mono-, di-, and triglycerides in the waste vegetable oil are converted to FAMEs by base-catalyzed transesterification. Finally, the completeness of the conversion product is determined indirectly by analysis of total, free, and combined glycerol in the final product by stoichiometric oxidation of vicinal alcohols by periodic acid. By determining the weight of glycerol in a specific weight sample of product biodiesel, the student determines whether the glycerol concentration is low enough to meet the specifications for marketable biodiesel.
Supplement
Student handout and notes for the instructor are available.
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Citation
Bucholtz, Ehren C. J. Chem. Educ. 2007 84 296.
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Keywords
Environmental Chemistry; Equilibrium; Esters; Industrial Chemistry; Lipids; Organic Chemistry; Quantitative Analysis
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History
Created:
Last Updated:
1/9/2007
2/16/2007
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Experiments, laboratory exercises, lecture demonstrations, and other descriptions of the use of chemicals, apparatus, instruments, computers, and computer interfaces are presented in the Journal of Chemical Education as illustrative of new or improved ideas or concepts in chemistry instruction and are directed at qualified teachers. Although every effort is made to assure and encourage safe practices and safe use of chemicals, the Journal of Chemical Education cannot assume responsibility for uses made of its published materials. Many chemicals are hazardous. Precautions for the safe use of hazardous chemicals and directions for their proper disposal are described in the Material Safety Data Sheets and on the labels. We strongly urge all those planning to use materials from our pages to make choices and to develop procedures for laboratory and classroom safety in accordance with local needs and situations.
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