BIOFUELS FROM COCONUT FAT AND SOYBEAN OIL: MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS

BIOFUELS FROM COCONUT FAT AND SOYBEAN OIL: MICROWAVE-ASSISTED SYNTHESIS AND GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY/MASS SPECTROMETRY ANALYSIS

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We spl 2control developed a project during an undergraduate course (advanced experimental chemistry) on the microwave-assisted synthesis of biodiesel (BD), via base-catalyzed transesterification of coconut fat (CF) and soybean oil (SO) by ethanol, followed by product analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.Our goals were to introduce a problem with relevant socio-economic impact (production of BD); to discuss and compare methods for biofuel analysis, and to gain insight into transesterification mechanism as an claus porto bath soap important example of acyl-transfer reactions.Comparison of both BFs showed clear difference in fatty acid composition; that from CF contains shorter, saturated chains (mainly ethyl dodecanoate- and tetradecanoate), whereas biodiesel from SO is essentially composed of longer unsaturated chains (e.g.

, ethyl oleate and linoleate).The project takes eight hours to complete, is conceptually simple, being suitable for inclusion in the undergraduate science curriculum.